We have curtailed our normal activities because of the COVID-19 pandemic and look forward to resuming activities when conditions allow. For now, the Historical Society of Riverton is pleased to offer this 185th issue of the Gaslight News.
Frequent contributor Mrs. Pat Smith Solin returns to collaborate with Editor John McCormick on a study of how the 1918 Spanish Flu Pandemic impacted this area.
We sincerely thank our members for their support and donations during “this unprecedented time.”
It is time to renew your membership for 2021.
In the open PDF, click on links to see complete news articles, bigger images, and more content on rivertonhistory.com.
Even as our 50th anniversary passed unnoticed since we have curtailed our normal activities because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Historical Society of Riverton is pleased to offer this 184th issue of the Gaslight News.
HSR Past President Phyllis Rodgers takes note of the many accomplishments of Emeritus Board Member John Edward Gilmore in Ed Gilmore reflects on a life of community involvement.
Former HSR President and current Porch Club Historian Pat Brunker examines the Club’s early involvement in the Suffrage Movement in Porch Club observes 100th Anniversary of the passage of the 100th Amendment.
In Remaining social during a pandemic HSR Board Member Roger Prichard researches a historic home at 106 Lippincott Ave. and the family that originally lived in it.
In the open PDF, click on links to see larger views of some of Ed Gilmore’s donations of rare images to the Society in Ed Gilmore’s many donations.
Open the PDF, pause your mouse over blue highlighted underlined text, and click on the links to reveal extra content. Most images link to larger versions.
RPS 1936 May Queen ceremony – photo credit Pam Deitz
Covid-19 has canceled all HSR meetings and programs through the summer and pushed back the current Gaslight News Issue #183 from Feb. to March, and finally to May. Look for our next issue in the fall.
Until then, stop back to check up on developments as we figure out what HSR membership looks like within social distancing guidelines.
See more information and photos about May Day at Riverton School here.
In HSR Saves Our History… Again, Board member Roger Prichard explains our latest collaboration with the Porch Club to preserve an important Riverton map and 1890 birds-eye-view of Riverton.
Art Appreciation showcases the work of Riverton artists, past and present.
Board member Heather Huffnagle provides a status update on HSR membership and donations.
Open the PDF, pause your mouse over blue highlighted underlined text, and click on the links to reveal extra content. Most images link to larger versions.
Here is the first issue of 2020 – the Society’s Fiftieth Anniversary!
Board member Roger Prichard and his Sub-Committee on Sub-Surface Issues plants a new historical marker at 407 Bank Avenue.
Board member Susan Dechnik briefly recaps Alisa Dupuy’s interpretation at the Porch Club of Alice Paul’s suffrage struggles.
Across the miles with founding member and former president, Mrs. Marilyn Colozzi
Riverton’s Helen Lippincott, suffrage champion
Just so you know that we have been busy since last issue, “In case you missed it,” is a list of blog posts selected from ones made since mid-September.
Veterans Day observed here Nov. 11; names of five Riverton servicemen were added to the War Memorial Honor Roll.
Former HSR President Dan Campbell, AIA returns to share his experience with the restoration and preservation of historic architecture at Riverton Free Library on March 26 at 7pm: Before and After – Discoveries in Historic Preservation
I hate it when mistakes happen. – Editor
The mailed copies of this newsletter stated that Helen Lippincott was married. This revised copy corrects that error.
Open the PDF, pause your mouse over blue highlighted underlined text, and click on the links to reveal extra content. Most images link to larger versions.
This first issue of the fall season after our summer hiatus is soooo packed. Our Board has been busy working on projects and planning. This issue tells a bit about what’s in store for 2019-2020.
Board member Roger Prichard tells about his latest project in, “Two new markers grace Bank Avenue homes.”
The year 2020 will mark the 100th anniversary of women gaining the right to vote. Alisa Dupuy will portray Alice Paul, one of the main architects of the women’s suffrage movement, at the Porch Club.
Read a recap of May’s Recognition Awards Night
We thank Carlos Rogers for his gift of $5,500, part of the proceeds from June’s Historic Riverton Criterium. It will make possible a project to preserve our archives.
Just so you know that we have been busy all summer, “In case you missed it,” is a list of blog posts selected from over twenty made since last April.
Keith Betten, Archives Preservation Committee Co-Chair, reports on the huge impact that Carlos Rogers’ extraordinary gift will have on the Society’s efforts to preserve the extensive collection that chronicles Riverton history.
A dollhouse finds a new home at Nellie Bly’s Olde Tyme Ice Cream Parlour.
Save the Date – Saturday, November 23. Board member Heather Huffnagle will host a House Party with the goal of raising funds for youth programs.
Mt. Laurel’s Alice Paul Institute desires to create a traveling exhibit about the suffrage movement and needs memorabilia from that era.
We welcome two new members and acknowledge donations
Culminating a longtime effort, there is now a nearly complete run of Gaslight News issues online. There’s a lot of history packed into almost 180 issues of our newsletter published over the last 40+ years.
Note: The mailed copies had an error on the date for the Sociable at Coales’ photo on page 3. The correct date is May 4, 1889. Also, on page 1, first column, lower left, “…the home of two illustrious abolitionists at 106 Penn Street” was an error. The correct address is 102 Penn Street. The newsletter posted here is now correct.
Open the PDF, pause your mouse over blue highlighted underlined text, and click on the links to reveal extra content.
We needed every bit of real estate in this Special Issue Gaslight Newsso the Table of Contents is real simple this time – “Riverton Bicycling – Then&Now”
The Society enthusiastically backs this awesome event and urges you to throw your support behind the 9th Annual Historic Riverton Criterium with your attendance and sponsorship.
The last page has a short recap of the recent Arbor Day Program at Riverton School and an acknowledgement of new members and donors to the Society.
In order to fully promote the Historic Riverton Criterium and the historic preservation message of Society we have distributed about 400 free copies of this newsletter to Riverton Free Library and a number of area businesses.
If you found value here and wish to support the mission of the Society, please print and mail in a 2019 Membership Dues Formwith your $25 check or use the PayPal button at left to make a donation in any amount.
Open the PDF, pause your mouse over blue highlighted underlined text, and click on the links to reveal extra content that would not fit in the issue.
When Jason Cioci asked about the history of the building in which his business, Riverton Health & Fitness, is located, he set us off on a project. Read the results here in our feature article about the Collins Building.
History repeats itself as the Historic Riverton Criterium returns June 9
April meeting recap: S.R.O. at RFL for Campbell’s Soup presentation
We welcome new members and acknowledge donations
Arbor Day 2019, RPS students plant a tree and mark sacrifice of WWI soldiers
If you found value here and wish to support the mission of the Society, please print and mail in a 2019 Membership Dues Formwith your $25 check or use the PayPal button at left to make a donation in any amount.
Open the PDF, pause your mouse over blue highlighted underlined text, and click on the links to reveal extra content.
HSR will install two more historical markers at 309 and 311 Bank Avenue
A Debt Owed: Society serves a critical role in preserving the historical record
President Wm. C. Brown outlines upcoming events: Board Meeting Feb. 27 with Archives Status Report followed by a Board strategy session and “Campbell’s: More Than Just Soup.” presentation by Marisa Bozarth, March 12
Like Brigadoon, our museum comes for a day, then disappears
Memories of the Cinnaminson Home are all that remain of the historic building that stood at 1410 Riverton Road. Many hyperlinks connect to the primary sources used to research this article.
The Society observes Veterans Day, Sunday, Nov. 11. The Riverton Veterans Affairs Committee honors six servicemen and four nurses who served in WWI and flies the new K.I.A. flag for the first time in Riverton.
The RFL sponsored Candlelight House Tour returns Dec. 1, 2018, and the Society participates by displaying for the public some our rarely seen items.
Look for a 2019 Membership Form in this issue, or download one online. Members’ dues support the Society’s mission to preserve Riverton’s unique legacy.
Summer Reruns…, our cover story, reprises recent website and Facebook posts so members without computers can catch up on things published since the last newsletter.
President Bill Brown looks at the year ahead.
See a recap of Dr. Daisy Century’s dramatic one-woman performance of “Meet Harriet Tubman” at last April’s HSR meeting.
Save the Date for several HSR sponsored activities through 2018. The next meeting is at Riverton Library at 7pm on September 26. Carol Simon Levin will present The Life of Jeannette Rankin, America’s first female member of the US Congress in 1917.
The Gift That Keeps on Giving summarizes progress on the Historical Marker Program and acknowledges Carlos Rogers for funding this effort.
Thank You Notes acknowledge new members and express appreciation for gifts and contributions.
Look for a 2019 Membership Form in the November issue. Members’ dues support the Society’s mission to preserve Riverton’s unique legacy.