Communion altar from Brickerville United Lutheran Church (originally Emanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church). Rectangular altar of painted softwood, panelled construction all four sides with pegged mortise and tenon joints. Small panels over large. Door in the back with a recessed panel and knob handle. Molding around base, the edge of the top, and framing the recessed panels.
Modification to altar in 1947 by Bob Helman (signature underneath when removed 10-17-00) was a long platform shelf covering the back 2/5 of the top, with holes at the back, including an electrical outlet. Entire altar has been given a new coat of paint, a light chocolate brown on top and white on the sides. The unpainted interior has one shelf with a vertical divider.
Altar has been used since circa 1800 to serve communion, using the Brickerville United Lutheran Church's ten-piece pewter communion service which is also in collections (P97.08.01-10).
Perhaps made by Emanuel Dyer of Manheim or Mr. Zartman of Brickerville.
Large crack on top, approx. 4" from front, running halfway across top. Recently painted. Some separation at moldings. Large hole bored in altar top (for electric wire) underneath the added platform, now removed. The modern base molding also removed. Repainted top with brown and attached molding at ends of top to secure plexi top. Paint removed on door.
Object ID
P.00.34.1
Place of Origin
Lancaster County
Credit
Heritage Center Collection, acquired through generosity of James Hale Steinman Foundation and V. Ronald Smith
Mennonite apron of bleached, plain-weave cotton and black two-ply silk embroidery. Apron is gathered at the top and sewn onto a waist band with a commercial tape string at each end.
At top center is a dark brown cross-stitched design of a central star flower on triangle base, surrounded by seven stars or crosses. The separated initials "M S" flank this design and large crosses flank initials. Three different embroidered borders of black silk combine with drawnwork at bottom above a one-inch self-fringe secured with black stitches.
Provenance
Purchased by donor from the Rev. Fred Weiser in 1997. Weiser notes there are about 15 aprons known; see article in Der Regebogge written "some years ago."
Staining around embroidered design and initials from bleeding embroidery, near top. Age discoloration with small stains overall. Stains along sides. Several thread "pulls". Areas of missing embroidery on three crosses at bottom. Small hole at lower right of design.
Conserved Nov. 1997 by Dorothy McCoach of Bethlehem, PA
Object ID
G.97.39.9
Place of Origin
Lancaster County
Credit
Gift of Hampton Randolph, Sr., Heritage Center Collection
Cast iron ashtray in rectangular form, sloping sides, sunken top with raised sides having a textured surface with two corner indentations for cigarettes. Opposite end of indentation is a grouping of four geese, fully formed, attached to top surface with screws. Entire surface is bronzed with a pattern of oblique stripes on sides.
Marked "144" on bottom. The Hubley catalog "Metal Art Goods" lists this ashtray as #144 and named "Goosie Goosie Gander." The description notes it has "an unusual bronze finish".
Provenance
Owned by J. Roland Gilbert (1888-1940) and inherited by his daughter the donor (1916-1992). Donor writes: "acquired in the late '20s or early '30s and 'possibly' a gift from Mr. Joseph Breneman, a Hubley Exec." J. Roland Gilbert was president of Lancaster Press Inc. and general manager of the New Era Publishing Co.
Stiletto or awl of steel with wood handle and handmade protective tip.
Tool has a shaft of rounded steel coming to a sharp point. Mounted on a black-painted, turned wood handle, largest at end and tapering toward steel shaft where it terminates with two turned rings.
A chromed metal slide glides along tool shaft and is clamped in place with a knurled screw. Stamped on this slide is "PATD' APR-6-09" (or 00) and nearby is a symbol with the words "TRADE/ MARK."
Stiletto is fitted with a protective tip made of a bottle cork with crocheted cover and crocheted top ring.
Provenance
Collected by Lillian Hollings Kiker, born to Scottish Americans who lived in New Jersey. Born (1912) and lived in New Jersey, last of Egg Harbor, she was active with quilting, sewing, knitting & crocheting. Collection inherited by donor when her mother passed away.
Three small bags created from blue and white ticking fabric, filled with mercury and nails and tied at the neck with string or yarn. Used in pow wowing, the bags were hung in cow stalls to protect from hexes. (Wendell Zercher)
Provenance
The sale catalog states that the bags were found in 1961 in a barn on Route 23 in Bareville, Lancaster County.
P.95.02.01 A: Crystal ball is a sphere of clear glass containing tiny interior bubbles and barely perceptible striations on the surface corresponding to lines of latitude. Used in Pow Wowing.
P.95.02.01 B: Base for ball is a turned disk of pine with recessed top in which to rest the ball. Appears to be a modern turning.
Provenance
The crystal ball and base are part of a pow wow collection belonging to Mrs. Gertrude (nee Teuch) Probst, who reportedly practiced the art of pow wowing. She was born July 1, 1879 in Coblenz, Germany, and died April 18, 1959 in Lancaster.
Glass ball has minor surface abrasions or imperfections; some small nicks and scratches in the base and a .5-inch area of finish loss on the center of the bottom.
P95.02.01A: Crystal ball is a sphere of clear glass containing tiny interior bubbles and barely perceptible striations on the surface corresponding to lines of latitude.
P95.02.01B: Base for ball is a turned disk of pine with recessed top in which to
Place of origin is unknown.
Provenance
9/07/2012 - Transferred from HC Collections; 12/29/94 - Purchase from Book Haven 146 N. Prince Street, Lancaster, PA 17603
Glass ball has minor surface abrasions or imperfections; some small nicks and scratches in the base, and a 1/2" area of finish loss on the center of the bottom.
Pewter basin, part of the Warwick Congregation's (now known as the Brickerville United Lutheran Church) communion service.
High, rounded sides flare out to a flattened rim with rolled edge. Booge appears to be unhammered. Barns struck his large circular mark with an eagle on the inside of bottom. The left portion of the eagle as well as the letters "BAR" on the bottom are discernible, as well as the "HE" above the eagle.
Probably made in Middletown or Wallingford, Connecticut.
Provenance
The entire communion service remained in use over the years until the congregation decided in 1997 to find a safe place for this valuable communion set. Purchased by the Heritage Center of Lancaster County.
Silver beaker or handless cup; flared form with double lip.
Engraved "J C M" in script lettering on the side; engraved "C. MAYER" in block letters on the underside of the base. The base also has maker's mark in the center, "W H" in a small rectangle with a scrolled serif on the bottom of the left stroke of the "H".
According to John J. Snyder, Jr, "C. Mayer" is Christopher Bartholomew Mayer (c. 1756 - Aug. 11,1815 and son of George Ludwig Mayer), a wealthy Lancaster hardware merchant who lived in the elegant stone house built by his father-in-law, George Burkhard (c. 1721-1783), a prominent Lancaster joiner, in 1764, at the NW corner of Orange and Duke Sts. Christopher B. Mayer married Jan. 2, 1783, to Susannah Burkhard(t) (1761-1848), later producing 8 children. Mayer was prominent in politics, and twice represented Lancaster in the state Senate."
Snyder continues: "The "JCM" of the monogram may be identified, tentatively, as Juliana (Julia) Catherine Mayer (1806-1857), later the wife of George May Keim of Reading." They married in 1827. Keim was a US Congressman, representing the 9th District in the U.S. House of Representatives (1838-1843) He also served as Mayor of Reading in 1852. They are buried in the Charles Evans Cemetery in Reading. Juliana (Julia) was apparently a daughter of Christopher & Susannah Mayer.
At time of acquisition,this beaker was believed to be the only piece of Wm. Haverstick hollow ware then known. With its history of early ownership by a very prominent Lancaster family, it adds a valuable historical dimension.
Provenance
Purchase from dealer Harry Hartman. Previous history unknown.
Pewter beaker or handleless cup. Part of the Warwick Congregation's (now known as the Brickerville United Lutheran Church) communion service.
Cylinder form flares out slightly at bottom as well as top. Banded at base.
Engraved on the exterior, near top, are the small initials "M.W."
Provenance
The entire communion service remained in use over the years until the congregation decided in 1997 to find a safe place for this valuable communion set. Purchased by the Heritage Center of Lancaster County.
Diameter of bottom is listed. Diameter of top is 2.5".
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2014-08-28
Condition Notes
Overall abrasions, pitting, small dents and staining. Rim has multiple small dents and abrasions. Bottom interior is pitted. Wear underneath with some areas slightly cracked. Dent at base.
Object ID
P.97.08.5
Place of Origin
Hartford, Connecticut
Credit
Acquired through the generosity of the James Hale Steinman Foundation and Friends of the Heritage Center Museum, Heritage Center Collection
Tester Bed, late Sheratorn style. turned poplar posts with maple rails. Shaped headboard with cutouts at ends where attached to posts.
Canopy rails provide frame for late 19th century lace canopy. Four heavy gilded wires create arched canopy support and are topped with a turned acorn finial of chestnut with a gilded base.
White cotton candlewick bedcover. Candlewicking is a whitework technique using thick cotton thread on white or unbleached muslin. Some examples are loom-woven, with loops creating the motifs. Handmade candlewick pieces use various embroidery and knotting techniques around various implements to create the characteristic loops.
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
DAC
Storage Wall
Island 2
Storage Cabinet
Unit 12
Storage Shelf
Shelf 6
Storage Container
Box 1010
Object Name
Bedcover
Length (cm)
254
Length (ft)
8.3333333333
Length (in)
100
Width (cm)
220.98
Width (ft)
7.25
Width (in)
87
Condition
Poor-Good
Condition Date
2020-01-24
Condition Notes
Spots on one edge; browning, especially along a fold line. Separation of threads. Three along edges (one 8 inches long) occur on unbound edges. Some within piece.
Object ID
G.04.23.39
Credit
Gift of Sarah Muench, Heritage Center Collection, LancasterHistory.org
Bronze bell cast by the firm of John Wilbank in 1825 for use in the cupola of the Lancaster County Courthouse on Penn Square that replaced the first building and bell destroyed by fire in 1784. The 2nd courthouse was rebuilt 1784-1787 and razed in the Spring of 1853. Bell has raised lettering at top of side: "CAST BY JOHN WILBANK/ PHILADA 1825."
Bell itself (H: 19" W: 23 1/2") has classic shape. There are heavy, curved "loops" of brass at top by which the bell is suspended from a yoke-like assembly secured by heavy bolts. The two side arms of the yoke rest atop pivot points of two A-shaped cast iron supports at each side of bell. This entire arrangement rested on a square base of heavy oak beams which was mounted in the belfry of the Rohrer farmhouse located at the east edge of East Petersburg. A large wooden wheel serving as a pulley was affixed to one side of the yoke of bell and a rope could be used to swing and thus ring the bell from below. (All wood was quickly removed & destroyed due to winged ant/termite infestation and advanced rot.)
Bell was regularly used in courthouse to strike the hour via the tower clock as well as for announcing a range of other events and news, e.g. election results and marking the start of business in city market houses on market days.
Provenance
When the courthouse was razed in 1853, the bell was acquired by veterinarian Jacob Rohrer (1792-1872) who installed it in a small belfry in his 1812 farmhouse on Fruitville Pike east of East Petersburg. It was then installed in a new (1857) farmhouse built to the west toward E. Petersburg by son Peter Bachman Rohrer (1827-1900). It remained here until removed and donated to HCLC except for a brief period in 1918 when it was allowed by owner P. Bachman Rohrer (1875-1949) to return to Penn Square for installation in the "Liberty House", a replica of the old courthouse (now in Bachman Park at F&M). See 1918 newsclipping in file. See also a 1942 newclipping giving an undocumented history of a courthouse bell used 1787-1852. (?)
Overall bronze surface weathered and darkened with age & use, deterioration & repairs evident on sides, lip at bottom has extensive chipping. Iron yoke, etc. heavily rusted.
Object ID
G.08.09.1
Notes
Newsclipping "Bell is Discovered", Oct. 14, 1918.
Newsclipping "The Farmer Hid The Bell", June 13, 1942
Bachman history by David Johnson
Place of Origin
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Ribbon threader or bodkin is a blade of nickel-plated non-ferrous metal, in a torpedo shape, wide and rounded at one end and tapering to a point at other end. Two slots are cut in wide end for stringing ribbon that needs to be threaded through casings in waistbands, wristbands, etc.
Stamped inscriptions: On one side of tool is "RIBBON THEADER", "REGISTERED", "No. 3", AND "K.B.C.".
Provenance
Collected by Lillian Hollings Kiker, born to Scottish Americans who lived in New Jersey. Born (1912) and lived in New Jersey, last of Egg Harbor, she was active with quilting, sewing, knitting & crocheting. Collection inherited by donor when her mother passed away.
Stiletto or bodkin of turned bone, fitted in a conical basket-weave holder or sheath.
Stiletto (A) has ball-shaped head with hole in it, then narrowing to a neck with additional swells and narrowing until it tapers from midsection down to a sharp point.
Holder (B) is an elongated cone made with a brown reed-like material woven onto ribs like a basket. Handle is a twisted form of the same material, shaped in a double loop configuration.
It is assumed that this pair of otems were originally dwsigned for each other.
Provenance
Collected by Lillian Hollings Kiker, born to Scottish Americans who lived in New Jersey. Born (1912) and lived in New Jersey, last of Egg Harbor, she was active with quilting, sewing, knitting & crocheting. Collection inherited by donor when her mother passed away.
Bodkin of bone is a flattened needle with one rounded end and one end with a blunt point. Slot of 5/8" in length is cut into body near rounded end. This tool is used for threading ribbons, etc. through casings, fabric tubes or loops.
Provenance
Collected by Lillian Hollings Kiker, born to Scottish Americans who lived in New Jersey. Born (1912) and lived in New Jersey, last of Egg Harbor, she was active with quilting, sewing, knitting & crocheting. Collection inherited by donor when her mother passed away.
Bodkin of steel is a blunt needle used for threading ribbons or other fabric through casings, loops, etc.
Two thin pieces of tapered steel are laminated together through half their length at narrow end. Two pieces at wider end are separated, allowing a ribbon or other material to be fitted into "jaws" and clamped in place via a sliding mechanism fitted into slot that extends lenthwise toward jaws. Inside of jaw ends have 3 pairs of raised barbs or teeth that enable the jaws to hold material without slipping.
Stamped on one side at midsection is "THE DOT." This likely refers to the rounded sliding mechanism fitted in the slot.
Provenance
Collected by Lillian Hollings Kiker, born to Scottish Americans who lived in New Jersey. Born (1912) and lived in New Jersey, last of Egg Harbor, she was active with quilting, sewing, knitting & crocheting. Collection inherited by donor when her mother passed away.
Bodkin of steel is a blunt needle used for threading ribbons, tape or other fabric through casings, loops, etc.
Bodkin is two thin pieces of tapered steel that are laminated together through half their length at narrow end. Two pieces at wider end are separated, allowing a ribbon or other material to be fitted into "jaws" and clamped in place via a sliding mechanism fitted into slot that extends lenthwise toward jaws. Jaws are enabled to hold material without slipping via two raised beads stamped into one side and two matching holes on other side.
Stamped onto one side of tool at midsection is "PATD. MAR. 29. 92."
Provenance
Collected by Lillian Hollings Kiker, born to Scottish Americans who lived in New Jersey. Born (1912) and lived in New Jersey, last of Egg Harbor, she was active with quilting, sewing, knitting & crocheting. Collection inherited by donor when her mother passed away.
Woman's cotton lawn headcovering. Crown is two separate pieces of fabric, with additional small pieces at the lower front corners. Plain ruffle around front and bottom. Two hemmed cotton ribbons attached at lower front corners; narrow where they attach, widening at the bottom. (Written by Scott Sager.)
Provenance
This pieces was owned and worn by Elizabeth Schneider Mann (1780-1870), the wife of Johannes Mann (1774-1843). She was the great-great grandmother of the donor'ssabalo husband, Rich Hess Mann. Elizabeth Schneider Mann's son, George Snyder Mann, gave the piece to his granddaughter-in-law, Anna Huber Hess, who gave it to her daughter-in-law, the donor Mary Jane Mann.
Year Range From
1820
Year Range To
1840
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
DAC
Storage Wall
Island 2
Storage Cabinet
Unit 13
Storage Shelf
Shelf 3
Storage Container
Box 0059
Object Name
Bonnet
Height (cm)
22.86
Height (ft)
0.75
Height (in)
9
Width (cm)
24.13
Width (ft)
0.7916666667
Width (in)
9.5
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2001-05-23
Condition Notes
Roughly rectangular outline of brown stains at the back; several lighter brown marks on public right side.