Oxford Area Historical Association

Site Navigation		2005 Annual Report of Activities
OAHA Home Next Meeting Projects Past Events History Briefs Postcard Archives Donations Historic Preservation Awards Board Members Year End Reviews About OAHA... Links You May Enjoy		After the many activities during 2004, as we celebrated the 250th Anniversary of Oxford, we thought things would slow down as we took a rest from organizational activity, but this was not to be, as the year unfolded. Seven Board meetings were required to produce our interesting sequence of meetings and displays for 2005. 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 in 2005 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 “Leni Lenape Life Styles.” Speakers, Carla and Allan Messinger. Many Indian artifacts were brought in by the audience, historical pictures and information of the Lenapes, Delawares, and Susquehannocks were exhibited. The Messingers had various displays of costumes, customs and tools. Oxford Senior Center.  Attendance 96. April   “Hinsonville, A Community at the Crossroads.”  OAHA was honored to sponsor Marianne Russo as she launched her new book and spoke on its content. Mrs. Russo organized her husband’s research on the community surrounding Lincoln University and has published a scholarly narrative of a critical area and time in the politics and policies of the Civil War. Copies of her book were for sale. Exhibits: Maps and history items about Hinsonville and early Lincoln University facts. Oxford Presbyterian Church.  Attendance 66. July 14 “The Edsel: Gone, But Not Forgotten: A Moment in Automotive History.” Hugh Lesley, local expert on Edsels gave a most entertaining talk, Thanks to Nick Yanucci’s Power Point skills we enjoyed exciting video clips and slides. There were also Edsel artifacts, exhibits, and restored classic and antique cars to see. About half the audience attended the special tour for OAHA of Herr’s Factory preceding the program, and Herr’s provided snacks to those attending. Herr’s Auditorium. Attendance, 80. September 20 “The Restoration and Conservation of Ceramics.” Speaker Kory Berrett gave us an interesting talk with slides of ceramic repair and conservation, with a question period following. The audience and Mr. Berrett brought damaged and repaired ceramics. Display panels featured repair techniques for ceramics. Ware Presbyterian Village. Attendance, 30. November 15 “The art of C X Carlson and the History of The Octoraro Art Association.” speaker, Steve Roka, a noted local artist. Oxford Presbyterian Church. Attendance: 92. Exhibits: the audience brought in many of C X Carlson’s paintings, news items, and history items for display. Jay Eaton exhibited his history of the OAA. Carlson post card prints were distributed to the audience with the programs, courtesy of V. Ringler. Vernon also gave us a briefing on the C X Carlson Trust’s aim to further Arts in the area. Historical Preservation Achievement Awards were presented. Marianne Russo received an award for research and publication of her book, Hinsonville, a Community at the Crossroads. Kent and Debbie Vendrick received the Leadership Award for the Bell Tower Monument Project. The Bell Tower Volunteer group that provided work, skills, materials, and time for the project received the Group Award. No Building Preservation Award was given this year. In a brief business meeting, members of OAHA re-elected Faye Doyle and Fran Jackson, and newly elected, Helen Allport, William Sumner and Karl Weeks to the Board for the 3-year term, while Nick Yannucci, John H. Ware IV, and Kevin Collins [Treasurer] retired to the Advisory Committee. December 17 Our crowning event of the year was the long awaited completion of theBell Tower Memorial Monument and its dedication at the Fifth Street site in front of the school on a mild sunny day. Conceived by Kent Vendrick, sponsored by OAHA, and OASD and accomplished by dedicated volunteers, this project required the time, skills, labor, materials, and financial help of many during 2000-2005. The monument, also called Hopewell Bell Tower, contains two time vaults to be opened in 50 and 100 years. They are filled with items and articles of local history. The ceremony included addresses by Kent Vendrick, Faye Doyle, Chauncy Boyd of the School Board, and the Administrator of OASD, Mary Jane Gales. Kent presented awards to the volunteers. Members of the High School Choir sang. The audience received copies of OAHA’s third publication, Hopewell Bell Tower, a history of the project, and was treated to hot spiced cider and an opportunity to ring the bell. During 2005, major additional contributions for the Bell Tower Monument Project were received: Anonymous - $ 1500, OASD - $1759.68 [for the Bronze letters and plaques].     Special Projects The saved befor restoration The restored cupola Hopewell Bell Tower.  The restoration and rebuilding of the Bell Tower managed by Kent Vendrick was completed! Read all the details about this project here Other Activities Three newsletters were sent out during the year. Several news items about OAHA activities appeared in local papers. All General Meetings were advertised to the public.  Notice was sent to board members for all board meetings.  By the end of November 2002, dues-paid membership was 104 persons. Frances Jackson has developedd a line of historical area pictures on refrigerator magnets, to sell for $1 as a fund rasing and educational project.  Each magnet is sold with a discussion of the history of the item depicted, and reminiscence of times past.  She maintains a sizable photographic archive of such pictures, which she generously shares with OAHA. Other fund raising merchandise includes ”Traveling the Eastern Line”, an Underground Railroad book. Our income continues to be from dues, contributions, grants, and sales of small historically related items.  Meetings are free, and open to all. April, repaid $300 start up loan to Oxford Mainstreet, Inc. June, Oxford Town Walk for White Clay Creek Preserve, Bradley and Doyle.  Attendance 7, plus hosts. August, program at White Clay Creek Preserve, on the Mason-Dixon Line, attended by 8 members.  Historical literature on the MD-PA line obtained. Early October - Nottingham Park, Industrial Heritage Day.  Bradley and students attended. October - grant by W.L. Gore, Inc. for $200 received   Fundraising Our income continues to come from dues, contributions, grants, raffles, and sale of the items below. 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; our Evan Pugh History booklet [published in Sept. 2003], “Oxford in the Civil War”, [published in Oct. 2004] “Hopewell Bell Tower” history [published in Dec 2005] and Historic Oxford Poster prints, and post cards. W. L. Gore Inc. has donated a Gore Wind Stopper Vest to us, along with their grants in 2004 and 2005, to raffle off. Redner’s Save a Tape program donates 1% of the grocery tape total to any non-profit organization, if collected and sent in. Just make sure your Save a Tape card is swiped when checking out, and send the tapes to us or bring them to meetings. We received a contribution check for $60 in 2005. Other Events OAHA participated in 3 community events in 2005. June 4th Sacred Heart parking lot. Summerfest.  The association hosted a table, exhibits, local history merchandise, and raffle. October 1st In cooperation with Oxford Area Community Enhancements, Inc. who sponsored a Civil War encampment at Nottingham Park [Industrial Heritage Day was cancelled], OAHA had a pavilion display. It featured the two Medal of Honor Winners buried in Oxford Cemetery, a photo review of last year’s encampment event, and displays from our past programs. Attendance was light, as many persons attended the food fair, Scrumptious Saturday, on Market Street, Oxford , hosted by OMI. However it gave OAHA opportunity to confer with other township Historic Commissions who were also exhibiting. October 22nd Hosted a table at Elk Township’s Collectors Day, featuring past and future activities, and allowing us to interact with local citizens interested in preserving history. Other Intersting Facts 2005 Dues-paid membership eligible to vote for board members was about 145 persons. Several news items about our activities appeared in local papers during the year Oxford Area High School staged an open house to deicate the new high school, October 22nd.  John Bradley's history of Oxford High School, "Now in our FOurth Location" was read at the vent. Fund Raising Activities Our income continues to come from dues, contributions, grants, raffles, and sale of the items below. 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; our Evan Pugh History booklet [published in September 2003], “Oxford in the Civil War”, [published in October 2004] “Hopewell Bell Tower” history [published in December 2005] and Historic Oxford Poster prints, and post cards. W. L. Gore Inc. has donated a Gore Wind Stopper Vest to us, along with their grants in 2004 and 2005, to raffle off. Redner’s Save a Tape program donates 1% of the grocery tape total to any non-profit organization, if collected and sent in. Just make sure your Save a Tape card is swiped when checking out, and send the tapes to us or bring them to meetings. We received a contribution check for $60 in 2005. Acquisitions for 2005 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. Books and booklets from Marianne Russo: Hinsonville, a Community at the Crossroads Purchase: A Hotbed of musicians, Paula Hathaway-Anderson Green, containing the life of Olabelle Campbell Reed, and associated musicians of country music. F. Doyle: Fox Holes and Flight Decks, Letters Home, Rod Gregg and How the Scotts invented the Modern World, A. Herman. Souls of Black Folks W.F. B. Duboise, from a collection of Ted Atkinson and Andrew Murray Hopewell Bell Tower History, Bradley, Doyle Vendrick, Yannucci Pub ‘05 Oxford in the Civil War 1865-1871, Bradley, Denlinger, Yannucci, pub ‘04 Preiodicals and Newsletters Cecil Co Historical Assoc. Journals, 4 issues for 2005 S. Lancaster Co. Hist. Society News letters for 2005 Newspapers George Bontz: 1890-1910 Oxford Press clippings, including original signed notes to the paper. Documents, Pamphlets, Letters and Articles Minute of History, Oxford Presbyterian Church, Richard Winchester B. Williamson: The US Maloy, Normandy and the Chanel Islands, M.B. Williamson Fred Kelso: Geneology of the Nocho Family, F. Kelso Beverly Renn: 15 covered bridges across the Octoraro River, S. Lanc. Co. Hist. News letter. Also Beadles Dime American Speaker, 1854, with sales label from F.P. LeFever, Stationer, Oxford, PA J. Bradley: OAHS 2005 booklets, programs, and literature Millard McComsey/ F. Jackson: copy of Minutes of Union Chapel at Hickory Hill, 1873-88, and copy of postcard picture of the structure. F. Jackson: Articles on Historic Cochranville, Historic Christianna, Conard and Pyle Roses, from Chester Co. Magazine Artifacts F. Doyle: Copy of old coal right ownership shares [Clearfield Co., PA] W. Taubaneck, WA : copy of Oxford Paper Fractional Currency 1865 Photos Fran Jackson,photos of each of 2005 OAHA General Meetings; 2 old area farm photos. Photos of Oxford Cabinet Co, Givens Orange Juice Co. at Glenroy, prints of Edwin Brown slides [courtesy of Robert McComsey. ]  Oxford Historical Commission: Black and white photos of Ware Mansion, Weigle’s Mill, James’ House Video Tapes Frances Jackson/ Vivian Miller, tapes of 2005 general meetings Post cards Jane Cannoy, through F. Jackson: 7 tinted Oxford postcards, 1914 (c) 2004-2006 Oxford Area Historical Association.  If you have any questions on the content or functionality of this site, please email the webmaster.