Letters to the Editor
Written by PA Heritage Staff in the Letters category and the Winter 1986 issue Topics in this article:Normal Schools
As a graduate of one of our state universities, I really should have known something about their origins and development. Mark K. Fritz’s article [see “The State Normal Schools: Teaching Teachers and Others“] was as enjoyable as it was educational – a rare mix for any story. Since I played college football in the 1950s, the history of the early athletics movement was particularly enjoyable. My class will hold its thirtieth reunion next year and I was wondering if reprints of the article are available.
Daniel B. Eames
Warminster, Pa.
At this time reprints are not available because the expense is terribly prohibitive. However, back issues are available in bulk quantities at handsome discounts. Organizations are invited to write for additional information regarding these discounted editions.
What happened to Mark K. Fritz’s arithmetic? In his article on normal schools, he listed eleven and state Cheyney was the thirteenth. True, Cheyney was the thirteenth, but the author omitted dear old Clarion from the original twelve. I don’t know when Clarion became a normal school but it was a full-fledged one when I attended there in 1918-1919. And I’m sure it predated Cheyney.
Violet K. Tyson
Gettysburg, Pa.
In “Teaching Teachers and Others,” the author listed eleven state normal schools in addition to discussing the establishment of the academy at Millersville, Lancaster County, which became the state’s first normal school. To date, there are, indeed, fourteen state universities. We regret the omission of Clarion University of Pennsylvania as one of these fine – and historic – institutions.
The Brewer’s Art
I drink domestic beer, collect American advertising pieces and greatly enjoyed “A Tradition Brewing” in the last issue. Is there an organization of people who actively collect the beautiful beer posters, trays and bottles which were shown in such a stunning color spread? If so, how can I obtain information about joining?
Alex Scrbacic
Boyertown, Pa.
The Eastern Coast Brewerania Association, founded in 1970, counts nearly four hundred members who actively collect and trade beer and beer-making related artifacts and papers. The organization’s motto is “Through brewerania the history of the brewing industry will be preserved.” For membership information, write: Gene Fink, 2010 North Broad St., Lansdale, PA 19446.
Decorated Hand Towels
While cleaning out my late grandmother’s home near Lancaster this summer, I came across a small trunk packed with antique decorated Pennsylvania German hand towels which were, coincidentally, discussed in “Bookshelf” in the fall 1985 issue. Now that I own these lovely towels, where may I obtain the book by Ellen J. Gehret which received a favorable review?
Rebecca Dunstadt
Atlanta, Ga.
Orders for This Is the Way I Pass My Time may be sent directly to: Pennsylvania German Society, P.O. Box 397, Birdsboro, PA 19508. The society consists of two thousand individuals who support research and publication of the history, folklore, genealogy, dialect a11d folk art of America’s largest colonial minority, the Pennsylvania Germans (or Pennsylvania Dutch as they are popularly called).
A Deadly Business
Life in the anthracite region must have been hard. After reading “A Deadly Business,” I took my wife on a day’s tour of the area. We stopped at the Eckley Miners’ Village near Weatherly for a firsthand look at the way miners and their families lived. Charles T. Joyce, Jr., really made us aware of the omnipotence of the powerful coal companies of the nineteenth century.
Cyrus L. Heimbach
Philadelphia, Pa.
