Phoenix Columns. The Heritage Center Honors Jim Gerlach. Schuylkill River Heritage Center. Winter 2016 Volume IX, Number 1

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1 Schuylkill River Heritage Center Phoenix Columns Winter 2016 Volume IX, Number 1 The Heritage Center Honors Jim Gerlach At the 6th Annual Heritage Award Celebration, the Schuylkill River Heritage Center honored former Congressman Jim Gerlach for his many contributions to the regional community as a member of the PA House of Representatives and Senate and later as a Congressman. Jim has always appreciated the economic value of open space. During his tenure in Harrisburg he led the effort for the Growing Smarter regional planning legislation to be approved. This gave more flexibility within a region for developing urban density and conserving open space in other areas. As a member of Congress he advocated for the passage of the Highland Conservation Act which established the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund. This program received over $17 million dollars, with $3.5 allocated for Pennsylvania. This legislation led to the protection of over 900 acres of natural lands in the Schuylkill Highlands and Lehigh Valley regions. He also spearheaded the effort to reinstate the permanent tax credit for those landowners who gave conservation easements. It passed with a bi-partisan vote of over 300 legislators voting for this!! Jim s support for historic sites includes funds for the restoration of historic buildings in Valley Forge National Historical Park, the Pine Forge Academy Student Center, Phoenixville s Streetscape improvements and, most of all, it was Jim Gerlach s support for the Foundry Building that brought about its restoration and its successful adaptive reuse as a focal point in the Phoenixville community. Jim & Carole Rubley spearheaded the $850,000 state grant awarded in 2000 for the Foundry Building restoration. Later, as a member of Congress, Jim got a $225,000 grant for PAEDCO. This enabled the organization to construct the parking lot on the west side of the Foundry, and it also covered the cost of Pictured here are: (l. to r.) Heritage Award honoree, Jim Gerlach, CCEDC Pres. Gary Smith, former PA State Rep. and SRHC member Carole Rubley, and Congressman Ryan Costello restoring the Foundry s historic crane which is believed to be the oldest wooden crane left in place in the US. When Jim Gerlach first ran for the PA legislature in 1990 he rode his bike around northern Chester County. He visited over 10,000 homes. His dynamic energy and commitment to the community continue even now! The Heritage Award Celebration also provided the opportunity for the SRHC to raise the needed funds for the History App that is now available to iphone users. Thanks to Allan Myers, Aqua PA, Chester County Economic Development Council, Butera, Beausang, Cohen & Brennan, Colonial Gardens, Hankin Foundry Partners, JB Productions, PECO, Phoenixville Federal Bank, Phoenixville Hospital, Queen of Hearts Catering, and Sly Fox Brewing Company, the event sponsors, the History App will also be available to Android users this spring.

2 Shown here are SRHC members (l. to r.), Barbara Heck and Secretary of the SRHC Board, Jolie Chylack holding one of the unique ceramic sculptures that she made for all the tables. Shown here are SRHC members (l. to r.), Dr. Lou Beccaria, Lynn Seay, SRHC Treasurer Charles Henry and Lynne Henry enjoying the evening. ARCHAEOLOGY ALONG THE DELAWARE RIVER Phoenixville resident and archaeologist Kimberly Morrell presented a fascinating talk in September. She is the Field Director for a special archaeology project that was done along three miles near the Delaware River in the Port Richmond, Kensington and Northern Liberties sections of Philadelphia, near I 95. Penn Treaty Park was also included in the project. The project unearthed many surprising artifacts; some even dating back to 3,000 years ago. Spectacles, dating from the 1650 s, were found. A portable furnace that was invented in Philadelphia in 1832 was also uncovered. Many artifacts from the Dyottville Glassworks were also found in this area that was once the workshop of the world through the 19th to the mid -20th centuries. Among the SRHC members attending this event pictured here were (l. to r.) Bill Quain, Ronnie Farmer, Helen Morgan, featured speaker Kimberly Morrell, and Ted Morgan. Shown here are the spectacles and the German settler to whom they once belonged. Here are historic images of the Dyottville Glassworks that were shared by Kimberly Morrell.

3 STUDENTS AND NEW TEACHERS FALL VISITS TO THE HERITAGE CENTER Pictured here are one group of the 80 first grade students who came from the Renaissance Academy. Here are some of the fourth grade students from the Kimberton Waldorf School during their visit. Second grade students also visited from the Schuylkill Elementary School. Fourth grade students from the Renaissance Academy also visited The Heritage Center. Shown here are some of the new teachers who visited the SRHC as part of their orientation bus tour that was written and presented by Pres. Barbara Cohen.

4 UPCOMING EVENTS AT THE HERITAGE CENTER Tuesday, March 15, :30 PM Chester County Celebrating 300 Years of Making Iron and Steel Representatives from sites around the county will share their activities and events planned for this commemorative year. Tuesday, April 12, :30 PM Philadelphia History on Film Noted Philadelphia leader Sam Katz will present his award winning film productions that document Philadelphia s History. Tuesday, May 10, :30 PM The History of the Valley Forge Army Hospital Dr. Dan Mortensen, VP at the University of Valley Forge, will tell the story of the Valley Forge Army Hospital in a unique and extraordinary dramatic presentation. First Friday, June 3, :30 PM Kids Hands-On Workshop Families are invited to join Heritage Center volunteers at our Main & Bridge Streets location to experience special activities related to Phoenixville and the Iron & Steel Company's history. Thursday, June 30, :30 PM 300 Year Iron and Steel Celebration Tour The tour will begin at the Heritage Center and focus on the area around French Creek where the Phoenix Iron and Steel Company was once located. Schuylkill River Heritage Center P.O. Box 427 Phoenixville, PA Change Service Requested

5 THE HERITAGE CENTER'S HISTORY APP IS NOW AVAILABLE ON THE IPHONE Thanks to all our supporters and volunteers who wrote and photographed the content for the App, the Heritage Center s History App was approved by Apple and can now be downloaded to your iphone. Here are the instructions for how to do this. 1. Open the App Store App. 2. Touch the magnifying glass icon to search, then type Schuylkill River and then touch Search. 3. Click the GET word to download the App. 4. Start the App by pressing the icon on your home screen. We hope everyone enjoys having this very special tool to appreciate the history in our region. We thank our Android phone users for their patience and understanding. This version of the App will be available this spring.

6 VALLEY FORGE NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK ITS PAST AND ITS FUTURE In November, Kate Hammond, the Superintendent of Valley Forge National Historical Park, presented the story of how this former state park came to be designated as a national park. She noted that that training of the farmer soldiers during the encampment, along with the support from France and its recognition of the new country, were important reasons for its becoming a national park. Also, 2,000 men died at Valley Forge, more than in any battle during the Revolutionary War. So it was determined that this heroism deserved national recognition. In 2016 the park will celebrate its 40th anniversary as a national park. This celebratory year will be coupled with the celebrations marking the 100th anniversary of the formation of the National Park Service which was established in The park has now created a student pavilion for activities and many interpretive focus zones throughout the park. An important goal for the park s future is to engage the next generation. There is now a teachers institute, a Kids Ranger Day, a public archaeology program and photography workshops. There are also plans to connect the park s trails to the Schuylkill River Trail, and it is anticipated that the park s connection to the Chester Valley Trail will also be completed later this year. Shown here is Sullivan s Bridge, a pedestrian crossing that will link the park to the regional trail network. SRHC members pictured here include (l. to r.) Helen Zern, Becky Glover, Lois Dobbyn, Rush Taggart, guest speaker Kate Hammond, Tom Heisey, and Carole Rubley. THE HERITAGE CENTER RECEIVED A VERY UNIQUE DONATION Mr. Scott Adams, CEO of West Chester Foreign Car, LLC recently donated a 9 ft. pattern that was once used by the Phoenix Iron Company in the early 1900's. When its restoration has been completed it will be on display at the at the Heritage Center for all to enjoy. Thanks to SRHC member Joe Robins for identifying the pattern and contacting Barbara Cohen to facilitate the transfer of the pattern to the SRHC. Thanks also to SRHC board member John Keenan for transporting it from West Chester!