The
______________________________________
May—June 2017
Vol.
____________________________
MMXVII No. 3
______________________________________
____________________________
Historical Background
In the spring of 1861, decades of simmering tensions between the
northern and southern United States over issues including states’
rights versus federal authority, westward expansion and slavery
exploded into the American Civil War (1861-1865). The election of
anti-slavery Republican Abraham Lincoln as president caused seven
southern states to secede from the Union to form the Confederate
States of America. Soon four more states joined them after the first
shots of the Civil War were fired. Four years of brutal conflict were
marked by historic battles. The war pitted neighbor against neighbor and in some cases, brother against brother.
In Pennsylvania, the Pennypacker family experienced the war like
many families. Some members served in the military, such as Samuel Pennypacker and his second cousin, Galusha Pennypacker. Other
family members served on the Confederate side and still other family members helped as civilians, sending care packag- Continued on Pg. 2.
Upcoming Events
Civil War Event
Sat., June 3 (10 am to 5 pm)
Sun., June 4 (10 am to 4 pm)
FREE No Pets Please!
Vintage Base Ball at it’s Best!
Sun., June 25 1 to 4 pm FREE
What’s Happenings in July
Fun in the 1900’s History Center
Sat., July 15 10 am to 3 pm FREE
Victorian Tea: Here’s Mark Twain
Sun., July 16 4 to 6 pm
Pre-register Fee: $40 per person
Friend us on FACEBOOK/PennypackerMills
Page 2.
Continued from Page 1.
es to their loved ones and writing letters.
knowledge.
By the time the war ended with the Confederate surrender in 1865, the Civil War was the
costliest war ever fought on American soil, with
some 620,000 of 2.4 million soldiers killed, millions more injured and the population and territory of the South devastated.
Visit the Civilian
Street where an
entire village of
living
historians
will be demonstrating everyday
life in the 1860’s.
From cooking to
sewing; and fashion to quilting. Each year, these
talented people bring a different aspect of 1860’s
life to the event.
At Pennypacker Mills, the Civil War Event is
hosted each year to honor the members of the
Pennypacker family who served, and all the
Montgomery County families who experienced
the horrors and loss of this war. Plan to attend
this event and honor the sacrifices that were
made for our country.
Highlights of the Event
For many visitors, the daily military battle is the
high point of the
event. With several
hundred reenactors
and artillerymen, the
battle represents an
opportunity to show
the
technology,
strategy, and tenacity of those soldiers who
fought.
Of special interest is
the artillery demonstration which is a combined Union & Confederate effort. Learn how
many men it took to
fire each cannon, the
distance they were able to target, and how they
aided troops in battle.
These artillerists are
very knowledgeable so
plan to ask questions
and be amazed by the
breath
of
their
A surgeon from the
50th PA will host a field
hospital, complete with
authentic medical equipment, and will speak
about injuries, surgical
techniques, and what medicines and procedures
were available to aid the wounded.
Inside the Pennypacker mansion, tour through
two floors as guides interpret each room.
Throughout the mansion, small exhibits focusing
on key family members who served or were involved in the war will be on display.
Of particular interest are Samuel
Pennypacker’s military items
when he served as a Private in
the 26th PA Emergency Militia.
Look for his kepi hat, knapsack,
diary and other personal and military items.
Elsewhere, view Galusha Pennypacker’s military items. Galusha Above: Samuel
was a second cousin to Samuel W. Pennypackand became a career military er, circa 1863.
officer after the war. Wounded
seven times in eight months, he was awarded the
Reach the site at 610-287-9349 or [email protected]
Page 3.
Medal of Honor for bravery at
the Battle of Fort Fisher, Cape
Fear, North Carolina. Known as
the youngest General in the Civil
War, he was considered a
“soldier’s soldier” by his men.
After the war, he was assigned
to the South where he successfully led reconstruction efforts.
His post-war sword, revolver, Above: Galusha Pensoldier strap with the rank of nypacker, circa 1863
major, and map of Fort Fisher -1865.
will be on display.
Several other family members are of particular
interest. See displays of their personal items:
Elijah Pennypacker, an uncle of
Galusha Pennypacker, lived in
Phoenixville and his house was
on the Underground Railroad.
Elijah raised Galusha after his
grandfather died.
Margaret Muse
Pennybacker
lived in the
Shenandoah Valley in Virginia.
She wrote of her war remembrances, which were significant.
Her home and land changed sides
between Confederate and Union Above: Margaret
Muse
forces seven times.
Above: Elijah Pennypacker.
The Philadelphia Athletics were founded in
1859, “with the express purpose of playing
what was often referred to as the New York
game.” The team competed against amateur
clubs who were organized by trade or neighborhood. As the team grew to be a force on
the national scene, many of these competing
teams became the farm teams for the Athletics, helping to build the team ranks with the
best players. As professionalism took over after the Civil War, the Athletics moved on to
become the first champions of the new National Association of Professional Base Ball
Players.
Pennybacker.
Check out the Schedule of Events
on our event website: http://www.ppmcivilwar.org
Wearing authentic styled team uniforms, abiding by 1860’s rules and field layout, using
handmade balls and bats, and with the spirit
of those early team players, the Athletic Base
Ball Club of Philadelphia today offers us the
chance to step back in time and cheer the
teams! Kids can play Town Ball after the
game. See you there!
Bring a chair or blanket to sit on
Mansion open for tours—FREE
Food Vendor on site
Website: www.montcopa.org/pennypackermills
Page 4.
Page 6.
We are grateful for the support of these
local sponsors:
Aiken & Sons Plumbing
Asher’s ChoColAtes
F. J. Gorman Consulting
Landis Markets
Phototiles
Sat., June 3 & Sun., June 4
Rear porch of the Mansion
Are you ready to enlist in the Union Army?
You’ll meet the medical officer who will examine you for readiness to serve, sign the Oath of
Allegiance, raise your hand and recite the Oath
to the Commander of
the 71st PA Volunteers, and then meet
members of the PA 69th Irish Volunteer Regiment who will train
you to march & drill. A great opportunity for kids to experience
what becoming a soldier means.
Boys & girls of all ages are welcome!
Reach the site at 610-287-9349 or [email protected]
Page 5.
Join Pennypacker Mills and the Saving Hallowed Ground Foundation as we host a Flag Folding Ceremony using a 20’x30’ Centennial flag to honor veterans who fought in the Civil War. The Ceremony represents a unique way to keep history and the memory of patriotic soldiers alive today. Eugene Hough, Co-Founder of the Foundation will lead in the ceremony. Plan to bring your family to
participate.
The Saving Hallowed Ground Foundation preserves and protects monuments and markers commemorating veterans. Their second goal is engaging students and communities in learning about
the history of the monuments and the stories behind the names inscribed on them. By educating
students and communities about these memorials, Saving Hallowed Ground hopes to provide a
better understanding of the importance of service and sacrifice.
Accompanying the Flag Folding Ceremony will be the members
of the 69th PA “Irish Volunteer” Band. You will also hear them
perform in the afternoon.
The original 69th PA “Irish Volunteer” Regiment was banded
together from 1861 to 1865 and fought in every campaign during
the Civil War. These volunteers became famous for holding the
center of the Union line during Confederate Maj. Gen. George
Picket’s advance during the Battle of Gettysburg.
The Band today started around a campfire just as its namesake band did 150 years ago. Members
brought their period instruments and began performing songs that the original band played. Today
the band includes 12 members who play harmonica, spoons, Penny whistle, bass, fiddle, banjo &
rhythm guitars. Stop by and enjoy the toe-tapping music & sing along as they regale in the Irish
songs of the Civil War!
Page 6.
Raffle Tickets: $2 each or 3 for $5
Stop by Pennypacker Mills to purchase one or
more raffle tickets for beautiful applique art by a
prize winning quilter, a replica cannon from the
U.S.S. Constitution, “Old Ironsides,” and a Madame Alexander doll named Violet, dressed in hand
-made Civil War Era clothing. This doll is definitely
one of a kind! You may also purchase raffle tickets
at the Civil War Event on June 3-4 at the Friends’
table on the Mansion Porch.
For the past five years, Jean Perry has created
outstanding quilts to be raffled as a fundraiser for
the Friends of Pennypacker Mills. This year’s wool
applique project (35”x50”) has earth tones colors
of brown, rust, gold, green, yellow and cream on
a black background.
Win Violet, a beautiful Madame Alexander doll
wearing a hand-made Civil War-style silk dress,
with cotton pantaloons and petticoat. An additional outfit is included too. The authentic outfit will surely make this doll a collectable for
children & adults.
The replica cannon from the “Old Ironsides”
ship is “most known for her actions during the
War of 1812, the Constitution was also used during the Civil War as a training ship for the United
States Naval Academy.” Mounted on a wooden
base, the cannon comes with the equipment
that would have been included with a cannon
of this era.
All funds will be put toward education & special projects here at Pennypacker Mills.
The drawing will be held at 3:30 pm on Sunday,
June 4.
Support this historic site, join the Friends of Pennypacker Mills www.friendsPPM.org
Page 7.
Meet Harriet Tubman, who helped thousands of enslaved Africans to escape to freedom. Her life story is a monument to courage and fearless resolve. This living history performance depicts this 19th
century icon by lending accounts of Tubman’s life. Included are Negro spirituals sung by Tubman, often as coded messages designed to facilitate the guiding of her fugitives northward. At the conclusion, Sparks will respond in character to questions about Tubman’s life in slavery, the Underground
Railroad and the Civil War.
Actress Millicent Sparks is an accomplished actor/writer/producer who has performed on local, regional and international stages. She develops and produces living history performance programs with
special emphasis on the African American experience.
See this powerful performance under the tent near the Pennypacker mansion.
Dressed in period soldier's clothing, Matthew Dodd takes listeners back in time to
feel what it was like to be a soldier, civilian, loved-one-at-home or escaped slave in
the Civil War Era. Through period songs, excerpts from actual letters, and anecdotes Matthew evokes the feelings and passions of that pivotal era of American
history. He concentrates on the feelings and stories of the individual soldier
(North and South), the mother, father, or sweetheart left at home, and of the men
and women who "followed the drinking gourd" to freedom. Matthew sings and
plays acoustic guitar, harmonica, banjo and mandolin. See him under the tent near
the Pennypacker mansion.
Website: www.montcopa.org/pennypackermills
MONTGOMERY COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
VALERIE A. ARKOOSH, MD, MPH CHAIR
KENNETH E. LAWRENCE, JR., VICE CHAIR
JOSEPH C. GALE, Commissioner
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Samuel Pennypacker’s booklet Six Weeks in Uniform will be available for
sale in the Museum Shop during our Civil War Event. Adapted from the
journal he kept as a private in the 26th PA Emergency Militia, Six Weeks
in Uniform is an incredible insight into the day-to-day life of an inexperienced, volunteer soldier during the Gettysburg campaign. There is truly
no better resource for understanding Pennypacker Mills’ connection to
the Civil War.
The shop will be stocked with plenty of other great souvenirs as well!
We will of course be carrying all of your favorites—from old-fashioned
candy to fun vintage toys. You’ll also be able to find a variety of patriotic
items and Civil War-themed books of all different subjects—from women in wartime to camp cooking.
The Museum Shop will be conveniently located on the mansion porch
for the duration of the event. Stop by to pick up one of these great
products and to check out what new items we have in stock!