Swarthmore resident Kevin Connell walked the grounds at Leiper House with his metal detector and discovered lots of interesting artifacts; old coins, keys, tools, and more.
The treasures will be displayed at the Leiper House on Saturday, December 3, between 1 and 4 PM. Mr. Connell will be on hand to share what he has learned about them.
The Helen Kate Furness Free Library is celebrating its 120th anniversary with a talk about Helen Kate Furness herself, on Saturday, October 22 from 1:30-2:30 pm at the Library.
When Helen Kate Rogers married Horace Howard Furness in 1860, her father was a millionaire and one of the wealthiest men in Philadelphia, the second-largest city in America. At her death in 1883 at the age of 46, she was described as “a lady of great loveliness of character, of a very sweet and gentle nature, and of rare charms of mind and person.” Come hear about Helen Kate Furness, and what we can learn of her from her writings and her portraits.
Harwood (Woody) Johnson, a resident of Wallingford, is on the boards of the Furness Library and the Nether Providence Historical Society, among others. He has a deep interest in local history and is a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries in London.
The Furness Free Library was founded in 1902. It is located at 100 N. Providence Road, Wallingford, PA 19086
The Leiper House will open for the season on May 7. On Saturday and Sunday, from 1 until 4, visitors may tour the house and explore a display that focuses on Mrs. Leiper, mother of ten – a suitable exhibit for Mother’s Day weekend.
It is with great sadness that the Nether Providence Historical Society announces the death of J. Mervyn Harris, our founder and first president. Merv died in April at age 87. Acknowledged as our township’s primary historian, he served on many historical boards county-wide.
Merv graduated from Nether Providence High School in 1952 where he was senior class president. He went on to Pennsylvania Military College, now Widener University, where he was again senior class president. After some years in the military, he came back to Nether Providence and served on its Board of Commissioners. He was later elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives where he served for 4 years, from 1965-1969.
Merv was chairman of our township’s Tricentennial committee in 1987 and founded the Nether Providence Historical Society that year. He was also a member of the Delaware County Historical Society and served as president of that organization. And he was vice-chairman of the Delaware County Heritage Commission. In 2019, that group awarded Merv a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Many township residents know Merv as author of the very readable book, A Brief History of Nether Providence. Published in 2010, the book is still available for sale at Furness Library, the Leiper House, and the township offices.
Merv’s love of local history and his vast knowledge of it, and his willingness to share it, have helped so many of us better understand where we live. His kindness touched many people.
The Friends of the Thomas Leiper House announced today that the organization’s annual holiday event will not take place in 2020.
“We’re sad to miss a year of what is always a lovely holiday tradition,” said Angela Hewett, Curator of The Leiper House, “but, it involves preparations by teams from five local garden clubs and lots of visitors in and out of small Colonial era-sized rooms, we knew there was no way to safely put on the event this year.”
The group is looking forward to planning their outdoor summer event and next year’s Colonial Christmas Open House.
Leiper built a temporary track in the yard of the Bull’s Head Tavern in Philadelphia to demonstrate the merits of his railway.
Did it go through your backyard?
Historians say the horse-drawn railway that Thomas Leiper laid out in 1809 from Crum Creek to Ridley Creek, through today’s Governor Sproul Estates, was the first commercial railway in the United States.
Pierre Lacombe, New Jersey Geologic Historian, has precisely mapped the railway. He’ll present a talk with maps and photos. You’re invited.
Sunday, October 20 at 2:00 PM at the Helen Kate Furness Library: 100 North Providence Road, Wallingford.
On Saturday and Sunday, September 28 and 29 the Leiper House will be open from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors can see original paintings of Leiper family members by famous artists. There are also old paintings of buildings that are no longer standing but were part of Leiper’s estate, “Avondale.”
Local artists Ursula Ippoliti and Dennis Goldsborough will display their paintings of notable Delaware County locations. They will have prints and notecards of their paintings available to purchase.
At their annual Preservation Awards ceremony, during the May 15th County Council meeting, the Heritage Commission of Delaware County presented a lifetime achievement award to Merv Harris for his significant contributions to preservation of the County’s history.
J. Mervyn Harris, “Merv,” is a man who believes in giving back to the community. After graduating from Nether Providence High School, Merv continued his studies at Pennsylvania Military College (now Widener University). After graduation, Merv served as a second lieutenant in the United States Army and as a major in the United States Army Reserves. Upon his return to civilian life, he became a commissioner for Nether Providence Township and served as chair of the Nether Providence Township Republican Executive Committee. He was also appointed the judge of elections for the township. In 1964, Merv was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
He is the founder of the Nether Providence Historical Society; a member of the Nether Providence Historical Commission; and authored the book, A Brief History of Nether Providence, which was published in 2010.
Merv was a dedicated and active member of the Delaware County Historical Society (DCHS). He served as president in 2002 and initiated and led a working collaborated group named the Council of Local Historical Societies.
In 2000, Merv was appointed to the Heritage Commission of Delaware County and until his recent retirement, served as Vice Chairman. In addition to his political and history related activities, Merv served on the board of COSA, March of Dimes, and the Center for Resolutions.
Nether Providence and Delaware County have benefitted greatly from Merv’s lifelong devotion to the preservation of our history.
Angela Hewett, President
Jonathan Jackson, Treasurer
Mimi Haggerty, Secretary
Stephenie Bailey
Shirley Cook
Donna Ferruzzi
Mary Ann Fiebert
John Isselman
Harwood Johnson
Jane McNerney
Thomas Leiper House is participating in the Delaware County Arts Week.
Nether Providence Historical Society 