Mailbox
Written by PA Heritage Staff in the Mailbox category and the Fall 1989 issue Topics in this article:Proposals for sessions, papers and presentations on all aspects of African- American history in Pennsylvania are being sought for the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission’s thirteenth annual conference on Black history in Allentown, on Friday and Saturday, May 4-5, 1990. The deadline for proposals is October 20. For more information, write: Coordinator, 1990 Black History Conference, Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, P.O. Box 1026, Harrisburg, PA 17108-1026; or telephone (717) 783-3034.
The Erie County Historical Society is seeking information about businessman and entrepreneur Rush S. Battles (see “The Battles Bank: When Honesty Was Collateral and Chickens Paid The Interest” by Sabina Shields Freeman in the winter 1989 edition of this magazine) and his various investment interests, including the Battles and Webster Bank, the R. S. Battles Bank, the First National Bank of Girard and the Girard Wrench Factory, all in Girard; the Climax Manufacturing Company, Corry; and his grape growing in Erie County. The information will be used in the development of the Battles Museums of Rural Life by the historical society. Correspondence may be addressed to: Susan Beates Hansen, Curator, Erie County Historical Society, 417 State St., Erie, PA 16501; or telephone (814) 454-1813.
The Oral Traditions Project of the Union County Historical Society is conducting an intensive research project on Pennsylvania dowries of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, which will culminate in 1990 with a series of exhibitions in southcentral Pennsylvania and an illustrated book. Researchers are interested in corresponding with individuals owning period furniture, textiles, pottery, tinware and similar objects made in preparation for a marriage or given at the time of a marriage. Please direct correspondence to: Jeannette Lasansky, Project Director, Oral Traditions Project, Union County Historical Society, Union County Courthouse, Second and St. Louis Sts., Lewisburg, PA 17837; or telephone (717) 524-8666.
The practice of powwow – the healing of the sick by incantation, ritual or magic by the Commonwealth’s German settlers (who called it braucherei or “trying”) – was once common throughout Pennsylvania. Information concerning powwow rituals, cures, legends and practitioners is sought by: Heidi Mayer, East Berlin Historical Preservation Society, P.O. Box 73, East Berlin, PA 17316; telephone (717) 259-0924.
Nineteenth century wedding attire and accessories of southeastern Pennsylvania’s Amish, Mennonites and Moravians will comprise a major exhibition in 1990 by the Lancaster County Historical Society. Individuals and institutions with information, including data gleaned from oral history surveys, regarding wedding garments, related objects and documents are asked to write: Randall Snyder, Lancaster County Historical Society, 230 North President Ave., Lancaster, PA 17603-3125; or telephone (717) 392-4633.
The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, Strasburg, is seeking photographs of the Pennsylvania Railroad’s locomotive and railcar collection stored at Northumberland during the 1950s and 1960s, as well as photographs of the rolling stock in transit to the Lancaster County museum. Individuals or institutions able to assist in this search are urged to write: Robert L. Emerson, Director, Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, P.O. Box 15, Strasburg, PA 17579; or telephone (717) 687-8628.
