Wendy Chmielewski, historian, author, curator, and specialist in 19th C. women’s history discussed lesser known women of the Delaware Valley region who were early pioneers and leaders of women’s roles in society between 1840 and 1950.  Her talk introduced us to Graceanna Lewis, Francis Ellen W. Harper, Fanny Jackson Coppin, Anna Howard Shaw and Mildred Olmsted.

https://vimeo.com/628367357

Doug Seiler, Principal Architect for Seiler+Drury Architecture, who is in charge of the preservation work at Thunderbird Lodge, walked us through the different projects that have been completed or will finish up this summer in  a Zoom lecture on June 23.  Because the Centennial Foundation has been given a second $100,000 grant from the State of Pennsylvania, he also gave us a hint as to the next projects to be tackled.

On May 26th Scott Laughlin, Realtor and specialist in Will Price historic property marketing, presented an amazing history of the primary architect for the original developments of North and South Wayne.  Price designed over 100 houses in Radnor Township and beyond.  His career lasted only 38 years, but he left a lasting legacy in Wayne, then Overbrook Farms as the designer of model homes for developer/builders Wendell and Smith.

Tom Guiler, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of History and Public Humanities at the Winterthur Museum presented this lecture on “A ‘Medician Arcadia’ in the Catskills: Material Culture and Community at the Byrdcliffe Arts and Crafts Community” on April 28, 2021 by Zoom.  He introduced us to the Byrdcliffe artist colony founded in 1902 in Woodstock, New York and described its importance in the Arts & Crafts movement in America.  Byrdcliffe still functions today and shares its rich artistic and social legacy with all visitors.