One of two. Button from the 1956 Lancaster County Firemen's Association Convention. In black print of button: "200th Anniversary Birthplace of the Pretzel 1756 1956 Lititz, PA" 1.625in w x 4.75in L red, white and blue ribbon: "36th Annual Lancster County Firemen's Ass'n Convention June 2, 1956 Lititz, Pa." A brown rubbery pretzel (2.375in x 2.25in) us attached to the button with a red string.
Two of two. Button from the 1956 Lancaster County Firemen's Association Convention. In black print of button: "200th Anniversary Birthplace of the Pretzel 1756 1956 Lititz, PA" 1.625in w x 4.75in L red, white and blue ribbon: "36th Annual Lancster County Firemen's Ass'n Convention June 2, 1956 Lititz, Pa." A brown rubbery pretzel (2.375in x 2.25in) us attached to the button with a red string.
Badge for the Lancaster County Firemen's Association convention. White button with firefighting equipment in color in center: red ladder, yellow horn, helment drawn in black, etc. On 1.625in wide red ribbon in gold letters: "Lancaster County Firemen's Association 30th Annual Convention Firemen's Day Strasburg, PA. June 3, 1950."
Badge for the Lancaster County Firemen's Association convention. White button with four items of firefighting equipment in color in center: red ladder, yellow horn, helment drawn in black. On 1.625in ide red ribbon in gold letters: "Lancaster County Fireman's Associatiaion 31st Annual Convention Fireman's Day Terre Hille, PA June 2, 1951"
Badge for the Lancaster County Firemen's Association convention. White background. In blue: center drawing of firefighting tools. Text: "Denver's 50th Anniversary 1902 1952" On 1.625in wide red ribbon in gold letters: "Lancaster County Firemen's Assn. 32nd Annual Convention Firemen's Day Denver, PA. June 7, 1952."
One of two. Badge from the Lancaster County Firemen's Association convention. White button with red-line fire fighting equipment in center: helmet, ladder, horn, etc. On 1.625in wide red ribbon in gold letters: "Lancaster County Firemen's Day Zone 5 Lancaster County Firemen's Assn. Quarryville, PA June 6, 1953"
Two of two. Badge from the Lancaster County Firemen's Association convention. White button with red-line fire fighting equipment in center: helmet, ladder, horn, etc. On 1.625in wide red ribbon in gold letters: "Lancaster County Firemen's Day Zone 5 Lancaster County Firemen's Assn. Quarryville, PA June 6, 1953"
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) Linoleum print of "Passmore's House 1760" by Melissa M. Coleman (signed). Black ink on off-white/beige laid paper. See photocopy in accession files.
B) Front of mat (in 2 pieces now), title and signature on mat.
Slight discoloration (brownish) along top corners on front caused by yellowing (orange) tape adhesive remnants on back side. Black marks front left side and three on back.
