New Hope Historical Society – Opening the door to our past with FREE guided tours
January 21, 2013 By
Visitors to the Parry Mansion Museum will learn of the town’s wealth of history and culture. A tour provides a trip through time from 1775 to 1900 when our young nation withstood the turmoil of the American Revolution, the Industrial Age and the Civil War.
Benjamin Parry, the first major developer of New Hope, built and operated mills on both sides of the Delaware River, which runs in front of the mansion. Come enjoy this home of an astute and successful Quaker businessman and four generations of his illustrious family.
The tour includes 10 impressive historical rooms evoking five generations of American history. Tours run Saturday and Sunday between 1:30 and 5:00pm from May to November, and all year by appointment for groups of 10 or more.
Walking tours of New Hope are also available by appointment. These tours are one hour in length and highlight the town’s most interesting landmarks.
For more info call 215-862-5652 or visit www.newhopehs.org online.
New Hope Historical Society back on the road
September 29, 2012 By
The New Hope Historical Society will board the bus on Wednesday, October 3rd for a delightful day in Wilmington, Delaware.
Tour two du Pont properties, the first being the Nemours Estate. This spectacular French Style mansion was built as a gift by Alfred I. du Pont for his second wife on 3,000 acres.
It is complete with beautiful formal gardens. Although built in 1907, it was thoroughly modern for the time by incorporating the latest technology and many of du Pont’s own inventions.
The second tour property is the Hagley Museum.
Going back in time, Hagley is the site of the gunpowder works founded by E. I. du Pont in 1802.
This example of early American industry includes restored mills, a workers’ community, and the ancestral home and gardens of the du Pont family.
For lunch, dine at Krazy Kats at Montchanin Village. Actually another historic location in the Brandywine Valley, Krazy Kats is known as much for its creative cuisine as its whimsical décor.
Cost for the bus trip is $110. Space is limited for this special day.
For information or to make reservations, contact Leslie Crilley at 215-862-5463/lgcrilley@comcast.net or Lynn Stoner at 215-862-5523/lynn5523@verizon.net.
Connor Gauvin awarded scholarship from historical society
July 20, 2012 By
On May 25th, New Hope-Solebury senior, R. Connor Gauvin, received the 2012 Francis Curley Scholarship from the New Hope Historical Society. On hand to present the award were NHHS president, Ben Meadows, NHHS Scholarship Committee Chair, Edwin Hild and NHHS Scholarship Committee member, Les Isbrandt.
“Connor Gauvin was selected to receive this year’s award on the basis of both his scholastic and community achievements,” said Ben. “In addition, his selection is one that we believe Francis Curley would have agreed with.”
In the fall, Connor will attend George Washington University and plans to major in political science.
NHHS established the Francis Curley Memorial Scholarship in 2003 to be awarded to a civic-minded New Hope-Solebury High School senior who has displayed excellence in Social Studies and who is going on to a post-secondary formal education in the broad field of Social Sciences. Over the years, the NHHS has awarded 11 Francis Curley Scholarships to deserving NH-S seniors.
“The scholarship honors Francis Curley’s many outstanding contributions which fostered a greater public appreciation for New Hope’s unique history,” said Isbrandt.
“His work in the Historical Society and our community will forever be remembered as an excellent model of how one individual can make a lasting impact. Until his death in 2001, Francis Curley was considered New Hope’s premier historian. After serving in the US Army during WWII, he taught history and social studies at the New Hope-Solebury High School from 1957 to 1980. Francis was a member of the Lambertville and Bucks County Historical Societies and was an officer and director of the New Hope Historical Society. He also taught, as a volunteer, at Delaware Valley College.”
PHOTO CAP: From left, Les Isbrandt (NHHS Scholarship Committee member), Edwin Hild (NHHS Scholarship Committee chair), Jon Gonsiewski (New Hope-Solebury History teacher), Connor Gauvin, Christina Lang (NH-S High School principal), and Ben Meadows (NHHS President).
19th Annual New Hope Historical Society Garden Tour is June 2nd
May 29, 2012 By
Save the date for the most talked about garden tour in Bucks County, where some of the finest gardens on earth attract more than butterflies and hummingbirds! Nearly 1,000 garden enthusiasts are expected to stroll the six diverse, private Bucks County gardens being featured at the 19th Annual New Hope Historical Society Garden Tour.
The theme of this year’s event, which takes place on Saturday, June 2nd is “Spring Fever.”
You are invited to wander this self-guided tour at your own pace from 10:00 in the morning until 4:00 in the afternoon.
End the day at a “talk and walk” at the private gardens of Ridge Goodwin, Bucks County’s rare conifer expert and grower.
A full color brochure with pictures and description of each garden, map, and easy directions are included with each ticket.
Ticket price is $30 and garden rewards bags stuffed with gifts and offers from national partners and local sponsors are available while they last and can be picked up at the garden gates.
Razzle-dazzle limited edition crystal daisy stretch rings designed by local artist Pearl Mintzer will be available at the gardens to commemorate the garden tour theme of feverfew flowers.
Visit www.newhopehs.org or call 215-862-5652 to order tickets now.
Tickets will be available on tour day at the Parry Mansion Museum, 45 S. Main Street, New Hope.
COMMUNITY GUIDEBOOK PROFILE: New Hope Historical Society – Opening the door to our past with guided tours
February 7, 2012 By
Visitors to the Parry Mansion Museum will learn of the town’s wealth of history and culture. A tour provides a trip through time from 1775 to 1900 when our young nation withstood the turmoil of the American Revolution, the Industrial Age and the Civil War.
Benjamin Parry, the first major developer of New Hope, built and operated mills on both sides of the Delaware River, which runs in front of the mansion. Come enjoy this home of an astute and successful Quaker businessman and four generations of his illustrious family.
The tour includes 10 impressive historical rooms evoking five generations of American history. Tours run Saturday and Sunday between 1:00 and 5:00pm from May to November, and all year by appointment for groups of 10 or more.
Walking Tours of New Hope are also available. These tours are one hour in length and highlight the town’s most interesting landmarks. Reservations are required and these tours are subject to the availability of the tour guides.
For more info call 215-862-5652 or visit www.newhopehs.org online.
Matthew Rodrigues awarded scholarship from NHHS
August 2, 2011 By
Pictured from left are Stephen Young (principal, retired), Edwin Hild (NHHS Scholarship Committee chair), Matt Rodrigues, Ben Meadows (NHHS President), Jon Gonsiewski (New Hope-Solebury History teacher) and Les Isbrandt (NHHS Scholarship Committee member).
On June 8th, New Hope-Solebury senior Matthew Rodrigues received the 2011 Francis Curley Scholarship from the New Hope Historical Society (NHHS).
On hand to present the award were NHHS president Ben Meadows, NHHS Scholarship Committee Chair Edwin Hild, and NHHS Scholarship Committee member Les Isbrandt.
The criteria for scholarship candidates are as follows:
- Plans to attend at an accredited university or college;
- Further academic study in the broad field of Social Studies;
- Demonstrated excellence in NH-S HS Social Studies course work;
- Community involvement;
- A student whose selection Francis Curley would have agreed with;
- Overall GPA.
NHHS established the Francis Curley Memorial Scholarship in 2003 to be awarded to a civic minded New Hope-Solebury High School senior who has displayed excellence in Social Studies and who is going on to a post secondary formal education in the field of Social Sciences.
“The scholarship honors Francis Curley’s many outstanding contributions which fostered a greater public appreciation for New Hope’s unique history,” said Isbrandt.
“His work in the Historical Society and our community will forever be remembered as an excellent model of how one individual can make a lasting impact. Until his death in 2001, Francis Curley was considered New Hope’s premier historian. After serving in the US Army during WWII, he taught history and social studies at the New Hope Solebury High School from 1957 to 1980. Francis was a member of the Lambertville and Bucks County Historical Societies and was an officer and director of the New Hope Historical Society. He also taught, as a volunteer, at Delaware Valley Community College.”
“On behalf of the members of the New Hope Historical Society, we want to thank the school district for giving us the opportunity to participate in the Senior Scholarship program,” remarked Isbrandt. “This is the ninth year that the Society has given scholarships to NH-S High School seniors. In total, including this year’s grant, the Society will have awarded ten $1,000 scholarships to deserving students.”
