Upholstered wingback commode chair has four turned Sheraton legs. Has replacement of original soiled handsewn homespun linen (remnants in this file), now an orange fabric with potted and vining flower design. Solid pinewood seat under cushion has center hole with fitted removable wooden disc.
This chair was from the Pownall home at Gap, where it was used by Dickinson Gorsuch, Maryland slaveholder, during his recovery from wounds sustained during the Christiana Riot of Sept. 11, 1851. His father and two others were killed during the skirmish at the home of freedman William Parker, and Dickinson was transported to the Pownall home for recovery. William Parker later published his story in the "Atlantic Monthly" in 1866, making it highly publicized.
This incident "is an important example of the struggle over the 1850 Fugitive Slave Act and the escalating tension between the North and the South. This act gave slave owners broad powers to recapture runaway slaves". (ExplorePAhistory.com)
Polaroid photos of chair before re-upholstery, in file.
Likely Lancaster or Chester Co.
Provenance
Provenance: Chair owned by the Pownall family & given in 1973 to the Lancaster County Historical Society by Mrs. Levi Pownall of Lancashire Hall (569-7279).
It was initially loaned to the Heritage Center (# L.77.9 and # 161.64.80) but soon donated to HCLC. Board minutes of Dec. 8, 1975 include Richard F. Smith's Museum Committee report noting a donation of a "Sheraton armed wing chair commode, used by the Pownall home in nursing Dickinson Gorsuch following Christiana Riot in 1851." Later unsigned note (Bruce Shoemaker?) states John Aungst of LCHS was consulted & chair was removed 11/9/84 from list on LCHS loan form, settling an apparent question of ownership.
A) Violin - Label on the interior reads, "MADE BY ROY ZIMMERMAN / STRASBURG, PA / 1984." Spruce front plate, cherry back plate, rib, neck, and scroll. Complete with four strings, bridge, and chin rest.
B) Case - Inside of case is padded with black fuzzy padding, two small storage compartments with lift tabs. Black plastic handle, two metal locks and two rings for a strap on case.
Violin owned by William Conroy.
Provenance
This gift is given in memory of Roy Zimmerman.
Purchased by donor from Roy Zimmerman for $1000, circa 1999. Violins are commonly made from spruce,and maple. Maple is used for the back plate, rib, neck, and scroll. Spruce is used for the front plate of a violin.
This violin is very unusual in that it is constructed of cherry with a spruce front plate.
Referred to as a fiddle by donor who used it when playing "folk" music with various groups, including Stone Soup.
Glass goblet commemorating the 100th anniversary. "Lancaster County Historical Society" is engraved on the bowl of goblet. "1886/ 1986" is engraved on the stem. Engraved on edge of base: "Presented To The L.C.H.S. by James McMullen"
Button from the 1981 Lancaster County Fireman's Association. Rectangular metal badge/button, white background with fire station in black and red. To right of building is a erd flag, a bell and sign reading: "Friendship Fire Co. No1." in red. Along the top of buttonin black letters: "Friendship Fire Co. No. 1, Inc." Below structure: "Mount Joy, Pa." on 1.5in wide red ribbon, in white letters: "61st Annual Convention Lancaster COunty Firemena's Association June 6, 1981." In circle below: "Friendship Fire Co. No. 1, Inc. Mount Joy, Pennsylvania." In center is a #1 with "Since [date]" below.
Badge from the Lancaster County Firemen's Association Convention. Red button with triangular white shield bordered in black in center. Above the frie hat and tools is "Liberty Fire Co. New HOlland, PA." Below: "1897" on 1.5in wide red ribbon in silver letters: "67th Annual Convention Lancaster Counyt Firemen's Assn June 6, 1987. New Holland, Pa."
Badge from teh Lancaster County Firemen's Association Convention. Button with white background. "5-10" on yellow emblem in center with red ladder on left and red fire plug on right. in balck lettes at top: "Strasburg", at bottom: "FIre Co. No. 1" On 1.5in wide red ribbon in yellow letters: "Lancaster County FIremen's Association; in center is eight sided emblem of "Lancaster County Firemen's Asso. Inc." "63rd Annual Convention June 4, 1983 Strasburg, PA."
Badge from the 1986 Lancaster County Firemen's Association Convention. White button with burgundy images and letters; old fire engine in center, text around edge: "Reamstown Fire Co. No.1 1920 American La France." On 2in wide burgundy ribbon in white letters: " Lancaster County Firemen's Association 66th Annual Convention June 7, 1986 reamstown, PA." Includes logo of Lancaster County Firemen's Asso. Inc.
Badge from the Lancaster County Firemen's Association Convention. White button with red lettering: "East Petersburg Fire Co. 75th Anniversary 1985." On 1.625in wide red ribbon in white letters: "Lancaster County Firemen's Association 65th Annual Covention June 1, 1985 East Petersburg, PA." Text surrounds logo for Lancaster County Firemen's Asso. Inc. Convention is spelled without first "n" on ribbon.
One of two. Badge from the Lancaster County Firemen's Association convention. On wite button in red lettering around edge: "lancaster Co. Firemen's Assoc" Inner circle in blue letter: "64th Annual Convention" in black: "June 2nd, 1984" In center, a groundhog in helment with "57" on it. "5" and "7" are on either side of groundhog as well. On 1.625in wide blue ribbon in white letters: "Lancaster County Firemen's Association 64th Annual Convention June 2, 1984. Quarryville, PA." ribbon is glued to back.