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Program: Helen Kate Furness – Portraits of a Life

Posted on October 17, 2016 by nphistory

Rogers FamilyThe library that bears her name has been a center of community life for more than a century, but who was Helen Kate Furness?

Join us for a look at the life of Helen Kate through her portraits.

Our speaker is Harwood Johnson, a member and past President of the Furness Library Board of Directors.

Thursday, November 10, 2016 at 7:00 pm at The Helen Kate Furness Free Library, 100 North Providence Road, Wallingford

The program is free and open to the public.

RSVP here:

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Program: The Architecture of Frank Furness

Posted on October 3, 2015 by nphistory

Frank FurnessFrank Heyling Furness (1839 – 1912) designed more than 600 buildings, most in the Philadelphia area. Toward the end of his life, his bold, eclectic, idiosyncratic buildings fell out of fashion and many of his most significant works were demolished.

Join us for a lecture about the magnificent buildings designed by Furness. Our lecturer, James Tevebaugh, is President of Tevebaugh Associates architects and a member of the executive committee of Friends of Furness Railroad District, a group dedicated to preserving the Wilmington train station and its associated buildings.

Wednesday, October 21st at 7:30 pm
The Helen Kate Furness Free Library
100 N. Providence Road in Wallingford

How are Helen Kate and Frank related?  The son of prominent Unitarian minister William Henry Furness, Frank Furness was the brother of Horace Howard Furness, a Shakespeare scholar, for whom our Library was originally named. Dr. Furness made a large donation to the Library with the stipulation that the name be changed to honor his late wife, Helen Kate Rogers, who also studied the works of William Shakespeare. The Library sits on ground that was originally part of Dr. and Mrs. Furness’ estate, Lindenshade. Dr. Furness’ brother, Frank Furness designed his brother’s summer house and nearby Idlewild, the house at the intersection of Gayley Street and Idlewild Lane in Upper Providence where Frank Furness spent summers with his family.

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Program: The Fort That Saved America

Posted on May 20, 2015 by nphistory

Elizabeth Beatty, Executive Director of National Historic Landmark Fort Mifflin will talk about the fort; one of the only intact Revolutionary War battlefields and the only fort in Philadelphia.

In the fall of 1777 approximately 200 men were garrisoned at what is now known as Fort Mifflin, charged with the duty of holding the British off “to the last extremity” so that Washington and his exhausted army could successfully move into winter quarters.

During the Civil War, Ft. Mifflin served as a military prison. During WW I and II, it was pressed into duty as a Naval Ammunition Depot.

Come, learn about the interesting history of the Fort That Saved America.

Wednesday, June 10, 2015 at 7:30 pm  at The Helen Kate Furness Free Library, 100 North Providence Road in Wallingford.

The program, sponsored by Nether Providence Historical Society, is free and open to the public.

Questions? Email us.
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Program: The First World’s Fair in America

Posted on March 31, 2015 by nphistory

1876 CentennialHeld in Fairmount Park, along the Schuylkill, the International Exhibition of 1876 was the first official World’s Fair in the United States. Historical researcher Mary Anne Eves will share photos of Memorial Hall and the many other buildings constructed for the fair. She’ll talk about this celebration of the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence which also celebrated America’s growing industrial prowess.

Join us! The program is free and open to the public.

Thursday, April 23rd at 7:30 at
The Helen Kate Furness Free Library 
100 North Providence Road, Wallingford

To register, complete the contact form:

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Living History Program @HKF

Posted on February 27, 2015 by nphistory

EarlyIrishImmigrants“The New American,” a Living Voices program, combines dynamic solo performance with archival film to turn history into a moving personal journey.

The show stars Wallingford’s Gabrielle Miller as Bridget Rose Fitzgerald. Set in 1910, her immigrant journey from Ireland includes steamship passage through Ellis Island to lower Manhattan and the sweatshop known as the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory. “The New American” reveals a timeless immigrant experience and the meaning of liberty and opportunity.

The performance is suitable for students in fourth grade through adults, and is made possible by a generous donation from the Rose Valley Borough Council and staff in honor of Lynn Kelley, a former council member and current volunteer at the library.

2 p.m., Sunday, March 8th in the Library’s Chadwick Auditorium.
The program is free and open to the public, but registration is recommended. Call 610-566-9331.

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Program: WWI Lecture at Helen Kate

Posted on November 2, 2014 by nphistory

One of a series of lectures commemorating the 100th anniversary of World War I – local historian Andrew Miller highlights the year of 1916-1917.

The lecture, sponsored by DCLS and the Nether Providence Historical Society is free and open to the public.

Please call to register: 610-566-9331.

—UPDATE—

ps – Sorry, all! Meant to post the link to the Library’s site. It’s Saturday, November 8th at 2:00. Hope to see you there!

 

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Perfect for Holiday Gift-Giving

Posted on December 11, 2013 by nphistory

Hot off the presses – a new reprint of A Brief History of Nether Providence, first published in 2010.

Pick up a copy (or two) at Furness Library, the Leiper House, or the Township Building.

At only $10, it makes a great stocking-stuffer or a thoughtful and unique hostess gift.

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A Brief History of Nether Providence

Posted on November 19, 2010 by nphistory

Announcing…A Brief History of Nether Providence
A Brief History of Nether ProvidenceCompiled by Merv Harris and published by the Nether Providence Historical Society, the book traces the history of Nether Providence from its pre-colonial days, through its transition from farming community to suburb.

Join us for the book’s release on Monday, November 29th at 7:00 pm at the Helen Kate Furness Free Library.

Books will be available for purchase and Merv will be on hand to sign your copy.
If you can’t make it to the event, the books will be on sale at Furness Library and at Nether Providence Township Building.

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Founding of Furness Library as recalled by one of its founders, A. B. Geary

Posted on January 12, 2010 by nphistory

by Donna Ferruzzi

The following is the transcript of a local radio address from 1950. It was published in a leaflet recently discovered in the Furness Library’s archives. I transcribed the leaflet in its entirety, without editing. The endnotes are mine, provided to add more information about the people and facts mentioned in the text.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Broadcast by Alexander B. Geary (1) over WPWA (2) on Library Day, January 17, 1950:

The article in the Chester Times (3) on January 10th showing the picture of the building with my name in the item below, has resulted in numerous telephone calls for definite information. Many ask what induced the Furness family to establish the library.

Dr. Furness did not initiate the library but this love for the children of the community and interest in Wallingford, resulted in the fine building and the noted library.

Continue reading →

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