Name/Title
ScrapbookEntry/Object ID
2017.21.104Scope and Content
Upsala scrapbook, pp.1-30
Page 1 subjects mentioned include: Upsala, 6430 Germantown Ave., named for town in Sweden, built in 1795-1798 by John Johnson,3rd. Soldiers from George Washington's revolultionary army at the battle of Germantown in 1777 placed cannon on front lawn of Upsala and shelled British-occupied Cliveden across Germantown Road. Upsala designed as year round residence unlike many other houses in the area which were just for summer get aways. Meticulously restored. Fine example of Federal architecture which reminds of colonial life. Interior pieces include original Johnson bed, family dining table of Santo Domingo mahogany, and silver service designed by famed Philadelphia silversmith, Joseph Richardson , Jr. Reverse side of page discusses Valley Forge National Historical Park. Though no battles fought here during 1777-78 approximately 3000 American soldiers died from cold, hunger and disease. However troops did not dissolve and came out better fighting force. Park today includes Washington's headquarters, soldier huts, Varnum's Quarters, memorial Arch, Anthony Wayne sttue, con Steuben statue and grand parade ground where General von Steuben rebuilt army and news of French alliance announced, May 6, 1778.
Page 2 subjects mentioned include: Annual Germantown open house tour . Called "Germantown by Candlelight" and' 18th Century Germantown, both tours coordinated by Anna Marie Kelly of Germantown Historical Society. Visit also to Pennsylvania School for the Deaf on W. Schoolhouse Lane. Will visit private home where present occupants have lived since 1909. Guides on buses provide information. Other tours include one in Victorian Germantown (Ebenezer Maxwell Mansion). A house characteristic of Federal architecture with exterior wood details, cornice and entrance doorways and dormers all original.Tour A will visit Upsala house with dinner and Tour B will visit Loudon mansion with elegant candlelight dinner.
Page 3 subjects mentioned include: Ann Madden, past president of Pennsylvania-Questers will present her audio-visual show on the eggs created by Carl Faberge for Tsars of Russia at Upsala House.
Page 4 subjects include: Photo of front entrance to Germantown Historical Society .
Page 5 subjects include: A Philadelphia Inquirer article cover page, May 10, 1985, "Weekend, An Area of Untold Charms" on Upsala House,6430 Germantown Ave. with house photo.
Page 6 subjects include: Philadelplhia Inquirer article , May 24, 1985 on sale of a Philadelphia mahogany highboy (with photo) made by Cabinetmaker Thomas Affleck which sold for highest price of any highboy or piece of Philadelphia furniture. Sold at Christie's in New York for $360,000. Chestnut Hill Local , September 26, 1985, article on flower arranging "hands-on" course to be taught by Audrey Nichols at Morris Arboretum.
Page 7 subjects include: Philadelphia Convention and Visitors 'Bureau pamphlet listing calender of events for September-November, 1985. Listed are house tours, Park tours park houses, museums, galleries, theater and other attractions commemorating International Month, October 1-31.
Page 8 subjects include: Chestnut Hill Local, October 3, 1985 piece on "Upsala Hosts Country Fair". The historic Battle of Germantown of the American Revolution will have two reenactments with musket flashes and parade down Germantown Avenue. Chester A. Asher a Germantown candy family since 1892 is helping sponsor. Country fair with food, beverages and booths and tables will follow.
Page 9 subjects include: Chestnut Hill Local article, October 3, 1985 on "Woman as Healer Focus of 'Ars Medica' Show at Wyck" . Focuses on how in 18th and 19th century woman of the house was also healer. Sandra Mackenzie Lloyd, curator of "Ars medica: A Haines Family Pharmacopeia" runs the exhibit concurrent with the Philadelphia Museum of Art's show: "Ars Medica: Art, Medicine and the Human Condition".Emphasis on household doctoring and gardens which were the source of many medicinal herbs, roots and fruits. Wyck will also present special lecture at Upsala House, November 7, "Every Housewife her Own Physician".
Page 10 subjects include: Chestnut Hill Local, November 7, 1985, "Upsala Hnors Martha Valentine", a memorial service at Upsala Mansion. Service will be conducted by Rev. John Shellam, St. Madeleine Sophie Church, Germantown. Mezzo soprano Rosemaria Martinelli will perform Handel's "Lucretia". Accompanist on harpsichord will be Webb Wiggins.
Page 11 subjects include: Chestnut Hill Local, November 28, 1985 "Experiwnce Historic Germantown's Holiday Tours, December 13 and 14. Candlelight Tour also available.
Page 12 subjects include: Chestnut Hill Local, December 5, 1985, " Local House Museums Join in Yule Tours". Each house to have theme and decorations will be based on them for each house. Photo of Betty Shellenberger, president of Historic Germantown Preserved and Beth Twiss-Garrity executive director of Ebenezer Maxwell Mansion preparing photos for programs.
Page 13 subjects include: Continuation of above article. Specifics include a Dickens Christmas party at Maxwell, emphasis on Victorian dining and cooking and baking, an annual Christmas Tea at the Deshler-Morris House, known as ' the oldest standing White House in America".
Page 14 subjects include: Germantown Courier, December 11, 1985 "House Tours Highlight Christmas". Discusses the twelve houses involved in tour.
Page 15 subjects include: Chestnut Hill Local, December 12, 1985: "Different Places to go , Gifts to Give at Yuletide". Photo at Upsala Mansion Cocktail Party, December 13, 1985 of Mrs. H. Donald Putney, chairman of Upsala Women's Committee; Mr. and Mrs. C. Wesley Welsh,II, party co-chairmen; and Mrs. Osborne Pfingst, Jr. president of Upsala Foundation. Also photo of guests dancing at Upsala Mansion.
Page 16 subjects include: Chestnut Hill Local, March 13, 1986: "Upsala sets Vienna Evening"; Chestnut Hilll Local, March 20, 1986: "Vienna Evening Features Soprano"; Germantown Courier, April 2, 1986:" Upsala Sponsors Musical Dinner Theater". Articles discuss and announce Upsala Foundation's presentation of program : "A Night in Vienna". Dinner followed by musical program featuring melodies of Herbert, Friml, Lehar, Romberg and Strauss sung by soprano Mary McDonald, tenor Roy A. Wilbur and baritone Robert Mattern and directed by Thomas Jaber, pianist-conductor. Contributions used to promote cultural arts education. Program held at Philadelphia Cricket Club, April 5, 1986, subsidized by City of Philadelphia and Pennsylvania Council of the Arts.
Pages 17, 18, 19 subjects include: Copy of program for "A Night in Vienna". Lists opera segments to be performed and gives brief biographical data on Mary McDonald, Roy A. Wilbur, Robert Mattern.
Page 20 subjects include: Handout describing work of The Academy of Vocal Arts, Dino Yannopoulos, director, and Christofer Macatsoris, music director. The Academy was the world's only tuition-free scholarship institution dedicated to preparing young singers for careers on opera and concert stages. Back page brief biographies on Robert Matten, Roy Wilbur, Mary McDonald.
Page 21 subjects include: Chestnut Hill Local, April 24, 1986, "Historical Society Offers Krisheim Open House". Announces tour sponsored by Chestnut Hill Historical Society of the 30 room mansion original home of the Woodward family and then conference for Presbyterian Church. Alice Lea Tasman, chairman of tour program indicates it will be last time public can see mansion as it was. Plans to turn interior of building into 11 rental units.
Page 22 subjects include: Germantown Courier, April l9, 1986, "Hollywood Comes to Germantown". Article on how three Germantown houses, Grumblethorpe, Upsala and Cliveden will be used in filming Metro Goldwyn Mayer's TV mini-series on George Washington, "Forging of a Nation: The Presidential Years". Crews came on location. Barry Bostwick and Patty Duke to star. Producer is Robert Hargrove.
Page 23 subjects include: Photo of Bob Kelly, resident of Germantown standing in front of Upsala House. He will play James Monroe in mini-series "Forging of a Nation: The Presidential Years."
Pages 24-25 subjects include: Photo of costumed extras in CBS mini-series 'George Washington Two'. Article "Dust-up, Commotion of filming vexes Society Hill", indicates Myrna Field, president of Society Hill Civic Association received numerous calls about the tons of sandy dirt the film makers dumped on streets to give an authentic 18th century atmosphere. Other residents appreciate film makers being there and note film will generate about $3 million for local economy.
Page 26 subjects include: "A Factual Miniseries , for Once". Series based on Pulitzer prize winning author Mr. Flexner's 4 volume biography of George Washington. He worked closely with script writer Richard Fielder who also ussed original documents as sources. Brief reviews of actors Jeffrey Jones (Thomas Jefferson), Richard Bekins (Alexander Hamilton), Patty Duke (Martha Washington) and Barry Bostwick (George Wasfhington).
Pages 27,28,29 subjects include: TV Guide, September 1986, "Let George Washington Throw a Tantrum!". Article mostly on Barry Bostwick's portrayal of George Washington in miniseries. Focus on psychic Bostwick used to prepare. Wished he had more time to explore Washington's anger. Notes how issues, not love nor war was focus of "Forging of a Nation". Principal actors thought they did not have adequate prep time before shooting series.
Page 30 subjects include: Chestnut Hill Local, April 24, 1986 "Mary Lincoln Topic at Upsala" and Germantown Courier, April 30, 1986, "Mrs. Lincoln Reappraised at Upsala". Articles announce program "Misunderstood Woman, Mary Todd Lincoln" at Upsala Mansion by Mrs. Carl Anderson who will give facts to lead to kinder appreciation of Mary Todd as wife, mother woman, and First Lady. Sponsors of program are Mrs. Osborne Pfingst, Jr. , president of Upsala Foundation and Mrs. Donald Putney, chairman of Upsala Women's Foundation.Collection
UpsalaArchive Items Details
Date(s) of Creation
1985 - 1986