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- All General Meetings were advertised to
the Public.
- Notice was sent to
board members for all board meetings.
- By the end of Dec 2004, dues-paid membership was
145 persons, (31.8% increase over 2003)
Nine board meetings were required to
produce our interesting sequence of meetings and displays in celebration ofOxford’s 250th
Anniversary. In the January meeting, newly elected Board Members and
Officers were installed. Committees were appointed. Committee meetings were held
during the year as needed to accomplish the activities below.
General Meetings
We invite you to attend our meetings and support us with
dues and contributions to cover the costs of meetings, displays and postage.
Meetings have no admission fee, and are open to all. Please help us in
continuing to discover, reveal, and preserve local area history. Drop by our
office on Third Street and view exhibits at your leisure. If you would like to
participate more fully in any of our activities, please call Faye R. Doyle –
(610) 932-2888. We need help in all areas, especially in window displays,
display case arrangements, and publicity communications about
meetings.
| February |
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“The History of Lincoln University, 150 Challenging
Years”. Oxford Presbyterian Church, Speaker,
Dr. Ivory Nelson. Comments by Dr P. A. Nelson [Lincoln’s
150th Anniversary Committee], Vernon Ringler [Oxford
Presbyterian Church 250th Anniversary Committee],
and P. Lagrant [Oxford’s 250th Anniversary
Committee]. Featured was the Lincoln
University Choir, also historical exhibits by Oxford
Presbyterian Church, Oxford Area Historical Association, and Lincoln
University 150th Anniversary Committee. Attendance - 165. |
Fe
February
12th - Kick off dinner for
Oxford’s 250th Anniversary Celebration. John Bradley gave his first
rendition of “In their own words, voices from
Oxford’s
past.” Representative Hershey presented a birthday citation
to Oxford. Nancy Cox, West Nottingham Township, offered anniversary congratulations.
J.C. Ware and Tammie McIvor previewed plans for birthday events for
2004.
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| April |
April
20 – Oxford Senior Center. “In Their Own Words: Voices from
Oxford’s Past” John Bradley’s Oxford History presentation at the
250th banquet was so well liked, he was persuaded to give an expanded version of it
as an evening program.
Exhibits: Facts from Oxford’s early days. Attendance -
90
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| May |
Memorial Day Saturday – Oxford’s largest
parade, celebrating it’s 250th Anniversary, was led by the Oxford
Area Hisotrical Association's carriage containing President [Jim Wilson]
and Mary Todd [Faye Doyle] Lincoln, and Civil War Captain [Cecil Miller]
and Mrs. Whitcraft [Vivian Miller]. Our second carriage featured
Colonial Settlers and Lenni Lenape Indians, and pioneers. Our Third Float
featured the Hopewell Bell Tower and Bell followed by workmen in 1900’s
work attire.
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| June |
Summerfest - Ware
Presbyterian Village- rain discouraged
attendance, but we hosted a table and small
exhibit. |
| August |
Birthday
Bash - We set
up an Oxford History Hub in an uptown storefront with Oxford history
exhibits, quilts, previews of future meetings, showings of videotapes of
past meetings such as “The Moving of Ware Mansion,” narrated by John Ware
IV. There was also an Oxford Birthday Cake contest, won by a cake
representation of Weigle’s Mill, complete with train, by Sabrina
Brantner. Second prize, Lise Leach [cream colored, edible bows and
decorations], third prize, Mildred Purcell, decorated with a copy of the
1884 Oxford Memorial Day photo. After judging, slices of the cakes
were sold to benefit OAHA. Historical magnets, postcards, mugs, and 250th
souvenirs were on sale. We shared our space with Oxford Library, and
Oxford Historical Commission. Out front, Basia Manniso directed a
self-guided town walk in the morning, with guides posted at various
stations in town. George and Martha Washington talked to visitors on the
Green. Up at the post office OAHA and OHC representatives sold historic
Oxford postcards with commemorative 250th anniversary cancellations.
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| September |
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September
23 - “Railroading
in Oxford’s History”, Speaker Ralph Denlinger gave us an
exciting ride on the Peachie, with a video of proceeding down the
old railroad bed with sound and action. Also, Donald Drennen of
Grain and Hay gave his reminiscence of Oxford railroad history.
Exhibits: local railroad pictures and artifacts, including a length
of the narrow gauge Peachie Railroad rail. Attendance - 70
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| October |
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October
4 - In cooperation
with Industrial Heritage Day at Nottingham Park, there was a Civil
War encampment sponsored by Oxford’s 250th Committee. We had a
pavilion display of local area history, including two Medal of
Honor recipients, buried in Oxford Cemetery, and introduced our
second publication, “Oxford in the Civil War
1871-1865”. (Our first publication was “East Nottingham’s
Evan Pugh”, when we replaced the historical sign in September 2003).
Pictured to the left: George W. Walton, a farmboy from Upper
Oxford and Congressional Medal of Honor
recipient. |
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| November |
November
9 - “Oxford’s
Greatest Generation: The Men and Women of World War II
” This was at Ware Presbyterian Village.
Attendance: 120. Exhibits: many pictures, artifacts, documents, uniforms, and
medals from WWII. Refreshments were obtained with ration stamps issued at
the door. Due to the length of the program, (11 WWII veteran speakers) there
was no presentation of our Historical Preservation Achievement Awards in
2004. In a brief business meeting, the Board elected its Officers for 2005
- Faye Doyle, President; John Bradley Vice-President; Malinda Alderman, Secretary; K. Collins,
Treasurer. Members of OAHA re-elected Malinda Alderman, Carl Fretz, Edith Sumner, Harold
Swisher as Board Members to the 3-year term. Vernon Ringler was newly
elected, while Polly Ireson retired to the Advisory Committee. |
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Special Projects
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The saved befor restoration
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The restored cupola
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Hopewell Bell Tower. The restoration and rebuilding of
the Bell Tower continues into 2005 and is being managed by board member Kent
Vendrick.
Read all the details about this project here
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Other
Activities
Contributions
During 2004, fund appeals for the Bell Tower
Monument Project being erected in front of the school by Volunteer help, brought
in contributions from many sources. Those contributing $250 or more were Oxford
Area High School Class of 2000, Oxford Parent Teacher Organization, The Peoples
Bank of Oxford, OHS Emeritus Alumni Assoc., W.L. Gore and Assoc., Elizabeth Thun
Trust, Spenser and Janice Andress, Grace Cope, Faye and Russell Doyle, Carl
Fretz, Gene Rahll, and Nelson Teel. Thanks to all! And thanks to all our other
contributors, both financial and of time and hands-on service. Please see
a detailed list of sponsors for the Bell Tower project by clicking here
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Fund
Rasing Merchandise
Frances Jackson’s historical local area pictures
on refrigerator magnets, for $1, are a fund raising and educational
project. Each magnet is sold with a discussion of the history of the item
depicted, and reminiscence of times past. Occasionally these pictures
fade. If yours fades, bring it to a meeting to exchange for a new one at
no charge. She maintains a sizable photographic archive of such pictures,
which she generously shares with all. If you want a special historic photo
she can often get it for you. Other fund raising merchandise includes
“Traveling the Eastern Line”, an Underground Railroad book; an
Evan Pugh History booklet (published in September 2003), “Oxford in the
Civil War”, (published in October 2004) and Historic Oxford Poster
prints, and post cards. Our income continues to come from dues, contributions,
grants, and sale of the above items.
Acquisitions
Thanks to all the contributors. If we have
missed mentioning your gift, please remind us and accept our thanks. We gladly
accept small items, books, photos, and papers of the local area, but no large
items. To view or research these items, call Faye Doyle at (610)
932-2888.
| Experiences of the Great War (Ashby
Williams);Sign frame for sidewalk event advertising made of 100 year old
wood
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Dr. Russell Doyle |
| Oxford Cemetery 1905 History,
constitution, bylaws, rules and regulations; xxxxx
Town
and Gown, June 2004 (Penn State and Evan Pugh history
article) |
Edith Sumner |
| Kernel, Oxford High School yearbooks, 1923-1964
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Lee Brown |
| Several World War II books
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Ed Wertz |
| PA State Grange History
Centennial Edition (1973), World War II
books;Oxford Diner 50th Anniversary mug, 1900 leather collar box with
collars, studs, shoe button-hooks |
Dr. Faye R. Doyle |
| Cecil County Historical Association
journals (4 issues for 2004)
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| Chester Co.
Town
and Country Magazine
collection; Covered Bridges of the area, from slides of Marian
Ackerman, Memorial Day Parade photos, photos of each of our general
meetings; several, local area meetings and subjects
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Fran Jackson |
| Oxford Area High
School 2004 booklets, programs, and literature; Old Analytic balance
scale (Oxford Area High School)
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John Bradley |
| Pillow cover signed by local
citizens on a camp outing early 1900’s
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Mary L Maule |
| Awning section from Simon’s
Clothing Store
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Robert Pennell |
| Local artifacts, milk bottle,
flour sifter, brick
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Lynn Catanese |
| Wilson Pugh & Wilson wagon
side board, 10’ long and 100 + years old
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Beverly M. Renn |
| Oxford Telephone History, Chester Co. Press, March, 1976
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Dorothy Simpers |
| Obituary of Guy T. Holcombe Sr.
MD October, 1965; list of graduating class of OHS 1891.
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Guyla Fuller |
| Oxford Directory 1927-28, and 3
deeds (Union Fire Co #1 property on South 3rd Street)
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Jane Delong |
| Matted B&W photos of engine
98 at Oxford Station in 1982. Barry Furrer: Board display of copies of
McCormick and Hayes photos of Octoraro Cornet Band.
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John Charles Ware/ Don Orner
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Board display of copies of
McCormick and Hayes photos of Octoraro Cornet Band.
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Barry Furrer
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| The
Press (Philadelphia) April 19, 20, 1865, covering the assassination
of President Lincoln. |
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| 1938
Oxford Press reprint of an 1878 Oxford Presbyterian Church
article
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| 1897
Oxford
advertising
flyer (copy)
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| 1912 letter from a Miss Pope to
the Oxford Press
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| 1887 lists and bills (originals)
concerning the building of Lincoln Chapel
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| 2 easels, short, carved wood,
for window and table displays, gift
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| Opal Cook: Oxford
postcard |
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