Albany Institute of History and Art

With this last blog I am going a little different route.  Instead of a blog on a point or place in history I am going to discuss one of my favorite museums, The Albany Institute of History and Art.  The Albany Institute of History and Art, or AIHA, is one of Albany, New York’s hidden gems.  This blog will take a quick look at both AIHA’s own interesting history and what is has to offer the public.

AIHA is one of the country’s oldest cultural museums, opening its doors in 1791.  Its original mission was to educate the public on agricultural advances, as most people at the time made their living from the land.  By 1820 the museum became more of a general collecting institution.  In the 20^th century the museum’s mission became more focused to what it is today, the collecting and preserving of art and history of the Upper Hudson River Valley.

AIHA currently has over 20,000 items in its collection, a collection that includes paintings, sculptures, furniture, clothing, two Egyptian mummies and other historical pieces.  The institute offers permanent, rotating and temporary exhibits.  Its permanent collection includes an extensive Hudson River School collection that they are particularly proud of and an Egyptian gallery that has been a favorite for generations.  Currently on display is an exhibit on the history and use of graphic art which is open until June 21st.  Presently, there is also an exhibit of three hundred years of shoes titled “Old Soles” being shown and is open until June 5^th.

 AIHA has a highly active education department that offers school field trips, home school programs, video conference lessons and family art programs.  The school programs are created to meet a number of New York State educational requirements and trained docents (of which I was one) act as guides.  There are also a number of art camps available over school and summer vacations.  All the programs are designed to get even the youngest museum visitor involved.

AIHA has felt the effects of the economic downturn over the last few years  AIHA is  a nonprofit organization and relies heavily on donations and the donations are not coming in as the used to.  Both employees and programs have been cut.  This is why, more than, ever people need to be aware of AIHA and what is has to offer.  Its collection is so extensive it is truly a window into American’s culture and history.

Click here to go directly to AIHA’s website:

http://www.albanyinstitute.org/

Works Cited:

Albany Institute of History & Art: 200 Years of Collecting. United States of America: Hudson Hills Press, Inc., 1998.

Miles, Christine. Personal Interview, November 24, 2009.

"Welcome to the Albany Institute of History & Art".  Albany Insitute of History and Art. 25 April 2011. <http://www.albanyinstitute.org/index.htm>.

Betzwood Motion Picture Studio

Before there was Hollywood there was Betzwood, a motion picture studio located 20 miles northwest of Philadelphia.  This studio was the largest film production facility in the world during the early years of film making.  What is left of this once great studio is just a few buildings, now turned into offices, and a historical maker.  It is the marker that I discovered last summer that led me to discover Betzwood Motion Picture Studio’s once great past.

At the birth of the movie industry there were many small movie studios located in the northeast part of the country and Philadelphia optician Siegmund Lubin became fascinated with movie production. “Pop” Lubin opened his own studio, the Lubin Film Co., in the late 19^th century.  Lubin’s first studio was located in downtown Philadelphia but Lubin soon found he needed to expand from his downtown studio as his success grew.  In 1912 Mr. Lubin purchased a sprawling 350 acre estate at the edge of Valley Forge National Park and the Schuylkill River and named it Betzwood Motion Picture Studio.  On this estate Lubin would build offices, scenery storage buildings, a processing plant, a film vault and a power plant that would produce electricity for the studio.    The studio also included three indoor studios for filming.  Two were dark studios which would use electricity from the power plant.  The third studio was a daylight studio, which was all glass and used to create day shots. The remaining acreage was the perfect setting to create western gun fights and civil war battles.  Lubin would even have entire western towns built and then have it destroyed if the script called for it, and then build them again for the next film. Lubin biographer, Joseph Eckhardt, called Betzwood Motion Picture Studio the “biggest film empire” of the day. 

Unfortunately, a fire in the film fault, the breakout of World War I, and a federal law suit would financially destroy Lubin’s budding film empire.  In 1916 the studio would be turned over to Wolf Brothers, Inc.  who would continue creating movies at the studio until 1923.  In the end over 110 ten movies would be made at Betzwood.

The studio remained abandoned and building’s left vacant for decades.  Fortunately, in 2001 O’Neill Properties Group purchased the Betzwood land and restored five of the original buildings and now uses them for their offices along with some other small businesses.  O’Neill Properties also developed upscale apartments on a portion of the Betzwood property with plans to develop more commercial property on the site. 

Much like the studio itself time has been destructive to the films that were created at Betzwood.  Only a few movies remain.  Only 29 of the original 110 are known to still exist and are located in archives here in the United States and in Europe. 

Works Cited:

"The Betzwood Film Archive and Film Festival".  Montomgery County Community College. 11 Apr. 2011. <http://faculty.mc3.edu/jeckhard/betzwood.htm>.

Eckhardt, Joseph. "The King of the Movies: Film Pioneer Siegmund Lubin".  Montomgery County Community College. 21 Arp. 2011. <http://faculty.mc3.edu/jeckhard/lubin.htm>.

Feighner, Jan. "Early Movie Studio on Pbs".  2009.  The Reporter Online. 20 Apr. 2011. <http://rememberwhenvirtualmuseum.blogspot.com/2009/07/early-movie-studio-on-pbs.html>.

Miller, Kate.  2004.  O'Neill Properties Group. 22 Apr. 2011. <http://oneillproperties.com/company/pr_newsroom.php?prid=25&status=Newsroom&year=2004&PHPSESSID=881d77d.>.

"Season 7, Episode 4".  2009. TV program. History Detectives.  (July 2009):  PBS. <http://video.pbs.org/video/1176774004/>.

The Liberty Bell

This past summer I moved to the suburbs of Philadelphia.  When people now come to visit my family and I the Liberty Bell is always on their “to do” list.  I have now seen the Liberty Bell six times and I am sure that number will only increase the longer I live in this area.  On my most recent visit to the bell, my brother-in-law turned to me for a quick history lesson on it since I am known as the family historian.  To my horror I realized even after five previous visits I really knew very little about this popular U.S. symbol, so this blog will serve to educate both my blog readers and myself.

                First and foremost the Liberty Bell was not always called the “Liberty Bell”, but more about that later.  The bell was originally made in London and was ordered by the Speaker of the Pennsylvania Assembly, in 1751, to commemorate the 50^th anniversary of Pennsylvania’s original constitution drafted by William Penn in 1701.  The bell’s inscription states “Proclaim LIBERTY throughout all the Land unto all Inhabitants thereof”, which is a bible verse from the book of Leviticus.  This verse was included to honor William Penn’s vision of freedom of religion.  A vision he had over 70 years before the American Revolution and a vision Pennsylvania was proud of.  Upon the bell’s arrival it was hung in the Pennsylvania State House in Philadelphia (now referred to as Independence Hall) and became known as the State House Bell.  The bell cracked the very first time it was rung.  Philadelphia craftsmen, John Pass and John Stow, were entrusted to repair the crack in 1753 by completely recasting the bell using the same metal.

                The bell was rehung in the State House and rang many times over a 90 year period alerting the City of Philadelphia to public announcements.  Arguably the most important announcement occurred on July 8, 1776, the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence.   Over the 90 years, and many tolls, a small crack once again appeared and by 1846 it was greatly affecting the bell’s tone.  The bell was once again repaired and it would ring one more time in honor of George Washington’s Birthday in February of the same year.  The repair failed and the bell has not rung since.

                The bell did not take on its symbolism of Liberty, and its name, until a group of abolitionists adopted the bell as a symbol for their cause.  The bell’s symbolism for freedom and independence would continue up to the Civil War and take on an even greater meaning after the war’s end.  In the last decades of the 19^th century the “Liberty Bell” traveled the country to help the nation.  It became the symbol of the liberty the United States had fought for and won in its battle for independence during the American Revolutionary War.  The bell would later be used as a symbol in the fight for women’s rights and the Civil Rights movement.

                So, the bell that couldn’t be fixed has become an international symbol of liberty and independence.  Visitors from all over the world visit the bell now located in a building dedicated entirely to the bell and its history.  The Liberty Bell Center is located in the bell’s home city of Philadelphia right across the street from where it originally hung in Independence Hall.  And even though I have now visited the Liberty Bell six times I don’t think I will ever get tired of it.  Looking at the Liberty Bell is like looking and at what all American’s holds dear and are proud of.

A Few Bell Facts:

Ø  The bell also reads “By order of the assembly of the Province of Pensylvania for the State House of Philad.”  Note: Pennsylvania is misspelled.  At the time the bell was made the spelling for Pennsylvania was not yet universally adopted.

Ø  The Liberty Bell weight 2000 lbs.

Ø  The bell was displayed in Independence Hall (on the first floor) until 1976 when it was moved to its own building.

Ø  The Liberty Bell is owned by the City of Philadelphia

Ø  No one knows why the bell originally cracked or continued to crack after two repair attempts.
 

Works Cited:

"The Liberty Bell".  Independence Hall Association. 17 Apr. 2011. <http://www.ushistory.org/libertybell/index.html>.

"Liberty Bell Center".  National Park Service. 17 Apr. 2011. <http://www.nps.gov/inde/liberty-bell-center.htm>.

Next Blog....Liberty Bell!

History In My Neighborhood

History’s stories are all around us.  One does not have to look far find one.   Even in my small suburban neighborhood, located outside of Philadelphia, small snippets of America’s story can be found.  Here are just three I have discovered:

The Peter Wentz House at the Wentz Farmstead - located 5.5 miles from my home:

This Georgian style house, built by Peter Wentz in 1758, can honestly claim “Washington slept here”.  George Washing used the Wentz farm and two rooms in the farmhouse as his headquarters two separate times in the fall of 1777.  Once in September and again in October following his defeat at the Battle of Germantown, which occurred on October 4, 1777.  The Wentz family was able to stay in the home during Washington’s stay.  It was while Washington was at the Wentz home that he learned of the victory at Saratoga and General Burgoyne’s surrender.  This mighty victory would persuade France to support American’s fight for freedom and become a major turning point in the war.  Valley Forge, located just 9 miles south of the Wentz farm (and subject of my last blog) is where Washington and his troops would make their famous winter encampment just two months later.

Evangelical Congregational Church (nicknamed “Old Dutchie Church) - located 2 miles from my home:

Old Dutchie Church was built in 1845 by German immigrants.  Not only a quaint church that is one of the few remaining examples of architecture from that time period but also rumored to have been a stop on the Underground Railroad.  Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, where Old Dutchie is located, was home to many abolitionists so it not a stretch to believe that runaway slaves fled by way of this small church on their race to freedom.  But the church’s unexplained trap door is evidence that this small church perhaps was a stop on the railroad.  The trap door, located near the pulpit, contains a loft like area below the church floor that is still visible to this day.  This cramped space is large enough to hold a small number of people.  There is no documented proof that the Old Dutchie was indeed a stop on the Underground Railroad, but confirming such places of refuge is not easy because, it was all done in secret.  But I believe the trap door maybe proof enough.

Methacton Mennonite Churchyard - located 1.7 miles from my home:

This Mennonite Church has two points of historical interest:  the churchyard itself and the large white oak tree located on the church grounds.  The original church (no longer standing) was built prior to 1771 and was used as a hospital after the Revolutionary War battle at Germantown in October, 1777.  According to local lore soldiers camped in the churchyard and according to legend there are even a few soldiers buried on the church grounds.  The soldiers that camped on the church grounds most likely did so under the branches of what has become known as the “Methacton Oak”.  This oak tree is estimated to be over 320 years old, making it already 86 years old in 1777.  This magnificent tree is believed to be the oldest living thing east of the Mississippi.

                An odd feature at the church:

When visiting the church it is interesting to take the time to examine one side of the church’s cemetery wall.  A portion of the stone wall, located next to the “Methacton Oak”, has needed repair over the last 250 years.  This fact alone is not surprising.  But what is remarkable is that at some point the wall was repaired using headstones from the cemetery itself.  You can’t help but wonder who thought this was a good idea!

So what history is around you?

Please be sure to check out a slideshow posted on the right of this post about the three stops detailed in this blog.

Works Cited:

"Farmstead History".  Peter Wentz Farmstead Society. 30 March 2011. http://www.peterwentzfarmsteadsociety.org/history.html.

A History of Worcester Township. Boyertown, PA: Boyertown Publishing Co., 1976.

"Our History".  Methacton Mennonite Church. 30 March 2011. <http://www.methactonmennonite.org/aboutus1.html>.

"Peter Wentz Farmstead".  Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. 29 March 2011. <http://historicsites.montcopa.org/historicsites/cwp/view,A,3,Q,24480,historicsitesNav,%7C.asp>.

"Worcester Historical Society".  Worcester Historical Society. 11 March 2011. <http://www.worcesterhistorical.org/index.htm>Works Cited:

Valley Forge-A Different Story

                The mention of Valley Forge to many Americans congers up visions of suffering Revolutionary War soldiers dressed in rags, starving, and standing in the frigid cold.  But this vision is a vision created by myth and legend that has been passed down for the last two centuries.  The reality of what occurred at Valley Forge is quite different.  Valley Forge was one of the key turning points of the Revolutionary War.

                Valley Forge, located 20 miles outside of Philadelphia, became the winter encampment of George Washington and his Continental Army in December of 1777.  This strategic site was chosen by Washington and his advisors so that an eye could be kept on British occupied Philadelphia, but still be far enough away to avoid sneak attacks.

                Upon arrival in Valley Forge troops quickly set to work and built cabins for shelter and would eventually build over 2000 cabins that would house approximately 12,000 soldiers.  With so many cabins built Valley Forge became the 5^th largest city in the America at that time.   Adding to the size of the camp was also the wives and families of some of the soldiers who would travel with the army.  Other women would follow the army as well providing services such as sewing, laundering and nursing.

  To be fair, there was some suffering at Valley Forge, not from frigid temperatures but from the many illnesses and diseases that were passed around troops like typhus, influenza, and dysentery.  Supplies were scarce, but industrious troops made much of their own clothing and gear.  They also cooked meals from whatever provisions could be found.

Soldiers did not sit idly around the encampment, but instead participated in training exercises and drills led by professional Prussian Army officer, Baron von Steuben.  Under von Steuben’s training Washington’s rag tag, inexperienced soldiers became a mature, confident army.  By the time the encampment was broken up in the spring of 1778 the troops were prepared to engage the enemy with added confidence, discipline, and vigor. They proved their ability quickly by successfully defeating the Red Coats in the Battle of Monmouth in June 1778.

So, Valley Forge should not be remembered as a place of suffering, but as a time when the American Army transformed and defined itself to be the force that would defeat the world’s strongest military force of the time.

Please be sure to check out my video on YouTube to the right of this post on my recent trip to Valley Forge.

Works Cited:

"History and Culture".  NPS.gov. 7 March 2011. <http://www.nps.gov/vafo/historyculture/index.htm>.

EASTERN STATE PENITENTIARY

Most tourists who come to Philadelphia will see the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall and what has become known as the “Rocky Steps” at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.  But just a few blocks away from the steps made famous by Sylvester Stallone is a gothic looking building that looks like it could have been a medieval castle.  This ominous looking building was actually the home of tens of thousands of prisoners between the years 1829 and 1971.  It is Eastern State Penitentiary.

               

Eastern State was unlike any other prison the world had ever seen at that time.  Every prisoner had their very own heated cell with a flush toilet, shower with small exercise yard attached.  Though the prisoners were comfortable the purpose of this arrangement was to keep each prisoner completely isolated.  No communication was allowed, there was no talking, no books (other than bible), no letters and no visitors.  Each prisoner was completely secluded.  Inmates even ate all meals in their cells.  The creators of this system believed this type of solitary confinement would make inmates truly penitent. 

               

                The system of complete isolation slowly began to go out of practice over the decades for two reasons.  First, there were many critics that believed keeping a person completely isolated from anyone was cruel.  Second, as the number of inmates increased, it became logistically impossible to keep an inmate completely isolated.  By the 20^th century Eastern State Penitentiary was like almost every other prison in the nation with inmates sharing cells, working at on-site shops, exercising in common exercise yards and eating in a mess hall.

                Eastern State’s most famous inmate was notorious mob boss Al Capone who served 8 months there in 1929.  Mr. Capone’s experience was not like that of the common prisoner.  Mr. Capone was allowed to decorate his cell with fine furniture, oriental rugs, lamps and radio.  He was even allowed to make long distance phone calls from the warden’s office.  It can be said Mr. Capone did not serve hard time.

               

                Over the decades Eastern State became more and more difficult to maintain and to keep in good repair.  By 1971, after 140 years in operation, the State of Pennsylvania decided to close Eastern State.  But the closing of the Penitentiary as a prison was not the end of Eastern State.  The prison remains active today thanks to a dedicated group of conversationalists and tours occur daily.  For many visitors the best time to visit is at Halloween when they can participate in an experience called “Terror Behind The Walls”.  It is not for the faint at heart

                     

                So the next time you are in Philadelphia try a tourist attraction that is a little out of the ordinary.  This old prison will peak your curiosity and if you are lucky you may even get an opportunity to see one of Eastern State’s many ghosts that reportedly still haunt its halls.

                Please enjoy a small silent film from 1929 to the right of this post.  It shows life at Eastern State the year the facility turned 100.

Works Cited:     

"History of Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia".  Eastern State Penitentiary. 9 Feb. 2011. <http://easternstate.org/learn/research-library/history>.

"Notable Inmates".  Eastern State Penitentiary. 9 Feb. 2011. <http://www.easternstate.org/learn/notable-inmates>.

Woodham, Chai. "Eastern State Penitentiary: A Prison with a Past".  Smithsonian Institution. 9 Feb. 2011. <http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history-archaeology/eastern-state-penitentiary.html>