Friday, November 30, 2012
Lansdale Historical Society presents "Holidays at the Homestead" on Saturday, complete with artifacts and antique toys
In what has become an annual tradition, the Lansdale Historical Society will host its annual holiday open house, "Holidays at the Homestead" on Saturday, Dec. 1 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Jenkins Homestead. On hand to greet visitors will be John and Sarah Jenkins, who will invite their guests to what John Jenkins referred to as his "mansion" in the late 1700s. Playing the role of John Jenkins I will be Bob Gleason, a member of the American Historical Theatre of Philadelphia, who has performed in such venues as the White House Visitors Center, Ford’s Theatre, the Smithsonian, Independence Hall, Constitution Hall and the National Constitution Center. This will be his second appearance as John Jenkins at the homestead. Joining him will be …
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Chief Robert McDyre told the public safety committee that measures need to be taken to protect the 'valuable' assets at the Jenkins Homestead on Jenkins Avenue
After dealing with recent instances of vandalism at the Jenkins Homestead, the Lansdale Historical Society is getting some help from Lansdale Police and the borough public safety committee. Lansdale Police Chief Robert McDyre told the committee last week that no trespassing signs and surveillance cameras will soon be installed at the homestead. "I think the items are too valuable to suffer loss any further," McDyre said. Lansdale Historical Society President Dick Shearer said he has been very appreciative of the increased surveillance that the borough has provided ever since the increase in vandalism, which has ranged from graffiti on a historic home to damaged shakes on the roof of an 18th-century spring house. "I am very concerned about …
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
The Lansdale Historical Society has been dealing with broken roofs, illicit spraypainting of historic structures and littering of needles and rubbish for the past few years. The public safety committee may offer some help
Some days, Lansdale Historical Society President Dick Shearer hates to pull up to Jenkins Homestead because he never knows what he will find. He knows it will never be something radical or drastic — just a little more of the same. For instance, take the metal pole sticking out of an elaborate and decorative white casting along the entrance to the homestead from the Jenkins Avenue sidewalk. It isn't as much a broken hitching post as it is an irreplaceable piece of Lansdale's history. The same can be said of the cedar shakes that adorn the roof of the Jenkins Homestead spring house. The slate steps between the research center and Jenkins house could become victims to skateboard tricks; a plywood ramp was recently confiscated by volunteers …
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Time wasn't kind to the Tremont, according to Lansdale Historical Society President Dick Shearer
It's been 15 years gone, and longtime residents still lament its demise and demolition. In its place is a Rite-Aid - an eyesore to many where the ghosts of power business lunches and mom and dad anniversary dinners exist. According to a "Back in Time" feature by Dick Shearer of the Lansdale Historical Society, the Tremont was the go-to restaurant when it was owned by Marcel Winniger. Yet, perhaps the Tremont was destined for failure, for demolition; its destiny may be that it would be talked about for decades, a story for grandmom and mom and dad to reminisce about with the good ol' days of Lansdale. Shearer said the Tremont had a troubled past that haunted it to the very end. The Hotel Tremont was built in 1890 by Isaac Heebner, son of …
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Lansdale Historical Society will present a second show of Mayor Mike DiNunzio's collection Dec. 17
It's always better the second time around. Lansdale Historical Society will feature the collectibles of Mayor Mike DiNunzio a second time on Dec. 17 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Jenkins Historic Complex. More than 400 area residents attended the Dec. 3 "Holidays at the Homestead" Open House that was a tribute to the late Lansdale mayor. The showing of the mayor's favorite things was planned as a one-day-only event, but due to popular demand, the society and the DiNunzio family agreed to open the doors again. Mayor Mike's collection includes clocks, model cars, cobbler's tools, railroad lanterns and paperweights from around the world. There is also countless other priceless memorabilia that Mayor Mike held in high regard.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
The public turned out en masse to view the collection of one of Lansdale's most cherished individuals. Plus, we finally find out about the history behind those bowties.
There was everything but the bowtie. More than 400 visitors got a glimpse into the private life Saturday of late Mayor Mike DiNunzio during a Lansdale Historical Society tribute to the life of DiNunzio. "They’ve been telling me it's one of the biggest and I've seen a lot of people come through," said DiNunzio's son, Mike DiNunzio Jr. "We’re very pleased with the fact that everybody has an interest." Lansdale Historical Society President Dick Shearer and historian Steve Moyer invited the DiNunzio family to show off Mayor Mike's collection to the public as part of its "Holidays at the Homestead" event. "They did a wonderful job," DiNunzio Jr. said. "They really put a lot of work into this and we really appreacite it." From a sampling of his …
Tony Di Domizio
4:15 pm on Friday, August 31, 2012
Kudos to the residents and readers offering advice. It's great that we were able to inform some neighbors about this historic property! more ›