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The Herald   Spring 2004 Hark the happenings of Historic Langhorne Association

160 West Maple Ave., Langhorne, Pa. 19047  215-757-1888 http://hla.buxcom.net

HLA is open Wednesdays 10 A.M.-12 noon  and  7-9 P.M. Saturdays 10 A.M.-12 noon or by appointment  Admission is free

An evening of living history with Edward Hicks!
    Join us for our next General Meeting at HLA on Monday, April 26, at 8pm, to honor the life of our famous resident Edward Hicks, who was born on April 4, 1780 in the building that is now known as "The Langhorne Coffee Shop". Actor Nelson Camp will bring Edward Hicks back to life with his fine acting skills. Mr. Camp is the Director of Theater Arts at the George School.
    Nelson approaches the story of Hick's life through slide projections of many examples of both the artwork and some of the important buildings. "I tell the audience that I've been 'away' for
over one hundred and fifty years, and although it can be bewildering to return, it sure beats the alternative, I perform as closely to my conception of Hicks as I can based on all the research I've done, and on my instincts as a playwright and actor."
    Edward Hicks was taught how to paint for a living, yet Quakers at that time frowned on 'frivolous painting' that he was afraid of being rejected by the Quakers. There are many paradoxes
with his character, which make him intriguing. He wanted to be humble and modest like most Quakers he admired, yet there was a flamboyant and passionate side of his personality that was heatedly charismatic. He was an inspired speaker among Quakers urging directness and simplicity in religious affairs, and yet he became part of a movement which formed a schism in the Quaker religion. He was opposed to slavery, yet reluctant to speak publicly about those convictions.
    "I think he was in a way responsible for transforming the Quaker attitudes towards Art, although he would be very embarrassed to hear that.", says Nelson Camp. "Hicks was definitely a
powerful presence in his time.
    Be sure to join us for this informative evening to uncover who Edward Hicks was!

Charles J. Matthews: "The man from the big yellow house"
Have you ever wondered about the origins of the house at 105 Prospect Avenue in Langhorne Manor? Charlie Lauble has collected some information about the man who built this house with some help from W. W. Davis' History of Bucks County and local archives.

     Charles James Matthews, of Langhorne Manor was a prominent Philadelphia morocco manufacture. Morocco is
a soft pebble-grained leather made from goat's skin and was used in expensive shoes, book bindings (especially Bibles),
expensive lamp shades, and ottomans that needed flexible fabrics. Charles J. Matthews was born in Philadelphia on July
23, 1862. He was the son of Lawrence and Mary Matthews. His paternal grandfather was a prominent brick manufacture
in Kensington, Philadelphia. Charles' father established the manufacture of morocco goods in 1861 in Philadelphia.
    C. J. acquired his education at the public schools in the city and at Andalusia Hall Preparatory School in Bensalem. At the age of fifteen years, C. J. entered his father's factory to learn the business. Beginning at the bottom, he mastered every detail of the work in all its branches and become thoroughly familiar with the different processes of manufacture then in vogue. It was said that C. J. started in the business by collecting dog feces from the streets of Philadelphia, since it was used in the process of tanning leather.
    Shortly after the death of C. J.'s father in 1883, he assumed the management of the factory which had grown from modest beginnings to an industry representing millions of dollars, and their product was marketed all over the world. The house kept pace with the rapid development and improved methods of manufacture in their line of business, and vastly increased its capacity and output, from twenty-five dozen skins in 1883 to over eight hundred dozen per day, representing an output of two and a half million dollars. Orders were filled from England, Scotland, Germany, France, Italy, Australia, Constantinople, as well as from all South American countries. C. J. discovered and introduced some very important improvements in the treatment of skins for the manufacture of patent leather and other products in his factory, C. J. Matthew's Co. Morocco Manufactory. His factories were located at 119 N. 4th Street and 430 N. American Street in Philadelphia.
    In 1884, C. J. married Clara Brunner of Philadelphia and had one child, Alyse, born in 1894. At this point in time, C. J. had moved to Langhorne Manor. It was here that C. J. built the magnificent house we still see today. He hired architect, Trumbauer who completed the home in 1910. Mr. Trumbauer built numerous other stately suburban and sea-side homes. C. J. also bought land at Hulmeville Avenue and what is now Route 1 and built C. J. Matthew's Leather Factory. Today this building is the Langhorne Carpet Factory. C. J.'s home stands today as a remembrance of a bygone era..

Here's a photo from HLA's archives...
Arial view of Pierson Candy's greenhouses, 1942... What is now the Pine Watson Shopping Center

Seasonal Musings by Joy Ward put a Spring in Your Step & HLA in Your Mind
    After a prolonged and bitter winter, spring is beginning to appear in ever increasing ways. A simple saunter outside will give many indications of the natural world's awakening. From birdsong to blooms, greening shrubs to warming sunshine, the signs are everywhere. Activity is abundant as flora and fauna welcome the change in seasons and get down to work after a long period of conserving energy and hiding from the elements.
    It is the same with our human world, as well. Neighbors who have huddled inside greet each other as the sun beckons us outside to dutifully inspect for winter damage or search hopefully for emerging buds. Friendships are renewed as a new cycle of seasonal chores and activities emerge on the top of our To Do Lists. Screens replace storm windows, attention is given to leaves that have swirled and matted into gardens and nooks, parkas are replaced with light jackets, and a simple walk 'round the block' becomes a social tour, with neighbors chatting as if just released from solitary confinement.
    As if on cue, birds begin nesting duties and humans begin eyeing cramped garages and cluttered attics, with that Bulk Trash gleam in their eyes. Historic Langhorne is right here, willing to help! Should you uncover an item that is too good to toss — but not quite your style - consider donating it for our May 8th Yard Sale! Chairs, tables, not quite on the mark gifts, toys, decorative items - anything but clothing - can find a new home while helping HLA remain funded and active. Please drop off your items during our Open hours of Wednesday, 10-12 & 7-9 or Saturday, 10-12. Should you require assistance with larger items, or need more information, please contact Joy Ward at 215-757-1401    HLA is here to help you ready your nest for spring!

Behind the Scenes with Jim Mair  Archives photo Project
    For more than a year now, as time permits I have been working on a project in the archives, which is improving the functionality of our photograph collection while at the same time, better preserving it. This involves going through all of the archive folders in search of any all photograph negatives. Next, the photographs are inserted into an acid free protective sleeve or envelope. They are cataloged and filed in the photo file. All pertinent information is recorded such as accession number, donor information, photo size, condition, and markings and description.
    Once all of the photographs have been recorded, the next steps will be to enter this information into our computer's library program and make sure all images are scanned into the computer. This will permit researchers to easily search by keywords on the computer. Once a photograph of interest is found, a digital copy can be viewed on the screen. Reproductions can be purchased for a small fee in many cases.
    Having all photographs stored digitally in the computer allows us to avoid unnecessary handling and possible damage to the often fragile original prints. This digital file is also a backup file of our collection in the event of a disaster. Charlie Lauble has digitally restored a few of the damaged photos in the collection. Charlie has also created Picture CD'S of many vintage postcards and photographs of homes and buildings as well as covered bridges. These are available for purchase at the HLA gift shop and Judy's Comer. Stop in to see what's available.

A sample of what is on our picture C'D's..... The Candy Family, 1917 A multi-generational family picture. including the family dog. The house is at 135 N. Bellevue Avenue... Stop by HLA to find out who's who.

Historic Langhorne Association
2003-04 Membership Roster
as of March 27, 2004

A note to our fan club from Jack Futon  HLA 2003-04 Membership Report
    I want to thank all of our loyal supporters listed on the attached membership roster for their continued support. I also want to apologize to those who were omitted from the roster in our last newsletter. Your contributions are appreciated even if the membership chairman is a little technology challenged. Hopefully the current roster is more complete.                               

    With the inclusion of a membership form in our new newsletter format, many people have been making duplicate membership payments. Although we appreciate the additional support, we aren't sure it was your original intent to do it more than once. Our membership this year runs from September 1 to August 31. If you made a membership payment in September 2003 during our initial membership drive, you are covered until September 2004. Members who have made duplicate payments for this membership period are marked with an asterisk (**) on the enclosed roster. If this was unintentional, please contact me by phone 215-752-7664 or send a note to HLA address and we will gladly refund the duplicate payment.  

    Memberships are this organization's most important source of revenue to maintain the historic library building and the archives of documents, photographs and artifacts that it houses. We would appreciate any comments or suggestions you may have to help us increase our membership base. Thank you for your support!