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Isaac Breon History Harvest Interview
Interview with Isaac Breon conducted during the Northumberland County Historical Society History Harvest, September 21, 2017 -
The Autobiography of a Pennsylvanian
"The Autobiography of a Pennsylvanian" recounts the life of Samuel Whitaker Pennypacker from an autobiographical standpoint. Samuel Whitaker Pennypacker served a Governor of Pennsylvania from 1903 to 1907. Pennypacker also served in the Civil War and fought in the Battle of Gettysburg. The first edition of the autobiography was published in 1916, the year of Pennypacker's death; this second edition was published in 1918. -
Telephone Switchboard Battery
This water battery was used to operate the switchboard for M&M Telephone Company (Mahanoy & Mahantango Telephone Company). The battery is made of heavy glass and filled with water and cardboard/ paper pieces. The Mahoney & Mahantango Telephone Company was started by Lloyd J. Tressler.Tags Connie-Tressler -
Rockefeller Glass Bottles
The Rockefeller Bottling Company, operated by O.P. Rockefeller and D. P. Rockefeller, was located in Sunbury, PA. These bottles were found at the Isle of Que in Selinsgrove and are thought to contain some form of hard liquor. It is possible that this bottles are created during the prohibition era.Tags Toni-Rice -
WKOK Thermometer
This working thermometer advertises local radio station WKOK, "The Friendly Voice of Pennsylvania."Tags Toni-Rice -
Schnitzelbank Song Poster
The "Schnitzelbank (Carving Bench) Song" was used by German-Americans to preserve and teach German language. This song was most popular for teaching children and for sing-a-longs at taverns. The poster consists of twenty-four images with rhyming lyrics, sang in sets of two in a call-and-response format. Some images are consistent across posters, while others vary. Included on this poster is an antisemitic caricature of a Jewish man.
The social component and length of this drinking song could be compared to "Ninety-Nine Bottles of Beer." At the top of the poster, Yuengling brewery advertises their name. The beer distributor being featured at the top of the poster varied geographically.Tags Cindy-Inkrote -
Enfield Rifle and Sword Bayonet
This 1861 Enfield rifle and bayonet was used by William J. George during the American Civil War. The collection consists of four pieces: ramrod, rifle, scabbard, and sword bayonet. All of the pieces are engraved with the same serial number, 907. The blade of the bayonet is blunt, but not sharp. It would have been used to strike the shoulder and stab; the blade would not have cut. Grooves in the rifle would have caused the bullet to spin as it flew from the barrel. The rifle is about eight inches shorter than most guns of the time, indicating that it would have been used by the navy when boarding opposing ships.
William J. George enlisted in Union Army on January, 27 1864 (Albany, NY). He served in Company M, New York, 50th Engineer Regiment. The current owner inherited the piece from Harry W. Geisking ; it was previously passed down through the family of Geisking's wife. -
Boatmen's Reunion Buttons
In 1915, the first reunion for boatmen and other canal workers was held in Rolling Green Park. Every year a new button was produced, bearing a photo of mules or boatmen's captains. The buttons were sold for twenty-five cents to help fund the reunion. The reunions transformed throughout the years with a location change to the recreational field in Port Trevorton and a conversation to a reunion of the sons of the boatmen. The last reunion was held in 1956. This is the largest known collection of canal buttons in existence. Other reunion memorabilia can be found in the National Canal Museum in Easton. -
Bombilla (Straw)
Bombillas are straws traditionally used for drinking a loose leaf stimulant-tea from a rain-forest plant (yerba mate). This sterling silver bombilla, a souvenir from Argentina, was used in the United States for regular tea. There are small holes on both sides of the bottom.Tags Hope-Webster-Kopf -
Glass Bowl
John F. Epler, veteran of the Civil War, gifted this glass bowl to his wife during the mid-1880's. The Epler family used the bowl to serve applesauce. Five generations later, applesauce is still served in the bowl for special occasions.Tags David-Ruths