Springfield Township Historical Society

"In 1916, Edward and Eva Stotesbury commissioned [Horace] Trumbauer to design one of his most famous projects: Whitemarsh. Whitemarsh Hall was set on a hill outside Philadelphia in Springfield, Pennsylvania. Stotesbury was a senior partner at the Drexel & Company banking house, an associate of J. P. Morgan, and one of the wealthiest men in America. He met Trumbauer in 1909 when the architect designed an addition for the Union League at Fifteenth and Sansom Streets.

"After the Stotesburys married in 1912, Eva, who quickly became Philadelphia's leading socialite, twice commissioned Trumbauer to renovate their townhouse at 1923 Walnut Street near Rittenhouse Square. Following the renovations at their townhouse, Eva oversaw the construction of Brooklands, a grand Trumbauer house in Eccleston, Maryland, for her daughter Louise and son-in-law Walter B. Brooks Jr. By the time Trumbauer completed Brooklands in 1915, the Stotesburys had outgrown their townhouse near Rittenhouse Square.

"The Stotesburys asked Trumbauer to design Whitemarsh Hall to replace their inadequate townhouse. Over the next five years, the architect, his staff, and contractors erected an enormous U-shaped, Georgian style mansion set in Jacques Greber's sweeping informal English and formal French gardens. During the construction, Trumbauer, who was rarely photographed, posed at the building site with Edward and Eva Stotesbury and Oliver Cromwell Jr., Eva's son from a previous marriage. With 50-foot limestone columns at the main entrance, the palatial mansion comprised 147 rooms totaling 100,000 square feet of space. The ballroom alone was 64 feet in length. The grand residence, with three stories above ground and three below, required a staff of 70 butlers, maids, cooks, valets, chauffeurs, and gardeners.

"The many elegant rooms were embellished by the best decorators from Paris and the plumbing fixtures were plated in gold. Although contemporary observers as well as historians have disputed Whitemarsh Hall's total cost, it certainly topped $3 million dollars, an incredible amount in 1921. When automobile manufacturer Henry Ford, himself a wealthy man, visited, he proclaimed "it was a great experience to see how the rich live." But, as changes to Trumbauer's practice demonstrate, the rich had already begun to live differently by the 1920s. Although Trumbauer would continue to design great buildings until his death in 1938, he would no longer plan the sprawling country estates and elegant seaside palaces that had made him famous before World War I. Whitemarsh Hall marked not only the apex but also the end of the Gilded Age. Too expensive to maintain, Whitemarsh Hall was eventually abandoned."

After the Stotesburys left Whitemarsh Hall, it was used during World War II to store treasures from the Metropolitan Museum of Art in case New York should come under enemy fire. In 1943 it was sold to Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Company ("Pennsalt," later "Pennwalt Corp."), who converted the old mansion into a research and development center. When Pennsalt moved its laboratories in 1961, the building was abandoned. In 1980, it was demolished to make way for suburban redevelopment.

Bibliography:

Free Library of Philadelphia. "Residential Designs by the Horace Trumbauer Architectural Firm: Whitemarsh." Accessed July 5, 2012. http://libwww.freelibrary.org/75th/whitemarsh.htm.

From the guide to the Springfield Township Historical Society Whitemarsh Hall collection, 1916-1992, (Springfield Township Historical Society (Montgomery County, Pa.))

"Springfield Township was William Penn's gift to his first wife, Gulielma Maria Springett Penn. 'Gulielma Maria Penn's Mannor of Springfield' was first designated on a map in 1681 and this date is prominently displayed on the Township Seal. The first reference to 'Springfield Township' occurred in 1718.

"Throughout the 18th century, farming was the principal occupation in the township closely followed by limeburning and milling. An ample flow of water found in the Wissahickon Creek and its tributaries supported at least three local mills. It was from this industry that 'Flourtown' took its name. The abundance of lime and iron ore in its bounds gave 'Oreland' its appropriate designation. 'Erdenheim,' originally known as 'Heydricksdale' or 'Wheelpump' was finally named after nearby farms and means 'earthly home.' Wyndmoor,' originally called 'Tedyuscung,' is the subject of many Native American legends.

"It is believed the original Native American name did not translate to the English language and it was renamed 'Windmoor,' referencing the winds blowing through the valleys and over the rolling hills.

"The American Revolution had a direct impact on Springfield Township between the Battle of Germantown on Oct 3, 1777, and the march to Valley Forge on December 19, 1777. The local inns along Bethlehem Pike served American soldiers and British Red Coats as the armies see-sawed back and forth through the Township from December 5 through 7 of that year. A military skirmish at Bethlehem Pike, Paper Mill Road and Stenton Avenue left many dead from both sides, some of whom are buried at the Schwenkfelder Cemetery located off of Montgomery Avenue.

"Life in Springfield remained somewhat unchanged until the mid 19th Century when improved roads and new forms of transportation made Springfield more accessible to city residents. In 1854 the Philadelphia and Reading railroad was extended to Chestnut Hill and Springfield was much in demand for summer homes away from the heat of the City. In the 1880's the Pennsylvania railroad was continued to Chestnut Hill and serious development began. New homes were constructed for year-round living. Local farmers found farming no longer practical or desirable, as land had become too valuable for building purposes. Two types of development occurred: the 'villages' and the 'great estates.'

"The village of Oreland was laid out in 1889 near the North Penn Railroad running along the east side of town. In 1892, the village of Erdenheim was planned. Starting in the late 1800's, Wyndmoor became the site of the Great Estates. 'Ropsley,' better known locally as the 'Poe House,' still stands on Montgomery Avenue as a single-family residence. This era also produced 'Whitemarsh Hall' (demolished in 1980) and 'Lane's End/Guildford,' which most recently housed the University of Pennsylvania Conference Center but has been returned once again to a private residence after extensive renovations.

"Springfield had shown a slow but steady growth from 16 landholders in 1734 to 69 in 1776. By 1850 the number of residents had grown to include 743 persons among 114 houses, 124 families and 65 farms. In 1880, the population was 1,535 and by 1930 it had grown to 5,541. Between 1940 and 1950, the population doubled due to the post war construction boom and by 1970, had nearly doubled again. The 1980 census showed the first decline in population with the trend continuing as indicated by the 1990 census. Today the township consists of approximately 7,200 housing units with a population of 19,533 residents.

"As the Township grew, so did the need for services. Initially, the Township was governed by the 'Overseers of the Poor,' whose records started in 1755. In 1802 this body became known as the 'Supervisors of Public Roads.' In 1899, a Commonwealth law was passed creating Townships of the first or second class. The first five Commissioners of Springfield Township took their oath of office on March 10, 1901 after township officials chose to incorporate as a First Class Township earlier in the same year. In 1952 a sixth Commissioner was added and by 1972 a seventh, and final, had been added."

Bibliography:

Quoted text from: Springfield Township. "History." Accessed July 20, 2012. http://www.springfieldmontco.org/index.asp?pageId=49.

From the guide to the Springfield Township Historical Society small collections, Bulk, 1950-2012, 1739-2012, (Springfield Township Historical Society (Montgomery County, Pa.))

The Wharton Sinkler Estate, also known as the Guildford Estate but originally called Lane's End, is a mansion in Wyndmoor, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. George W. Elkins planned to build a mansion for his wife, Allethaire Ludlow Crummer, when they were married in 1916. He died in 1919 before much was accomplished, but the project was resumed after Crummer remarried to Samuel P. Rotan, then District Attorney of Philadelphia, the following year. Construction of the estate they called "Lane's End," designed by architect Robert Rodes McGoodwin, was completed in 1925.

After Rotan's death in 1930, Crummer spent less time in the house. George W. Elkins' daughter, Louise Elkins Sinkler and her husband Wharton Sinkler purchased the estate in 1945, re-christened it "Guildford," and lived there until his death in 1967. At this point, Sinkler donated the estate to the University of Pennsylvania. The university utilized the property as the Wharton Sinkler Conference Center until 1999, when they subdivided the property into smaller parcels and sold off the land. As of 2012, the mansion stands on 18 acres of land protected by the North American Land Conservancy.

Bibliography:

Essay found in collection. "Guildford."

From the guide to the Springfield Township Historical Society Wharton Sinkler Estate collection, 1926-2002, (Springfield Township Historical Society (Montgomery County, Pa.))

"Springfield Township was William Penn's gift to his first wife, Gulielma Maria Springett Penn. 'Gulielma Maria Penn's Mannor of Springfield' was first designated on a map in 1681 and this date is prominently displayed on the Township Seal. The first reference to 'Springfield Township' occurred in 1718.

"Throughout the 18th century, farming was the principal occupation in the township closely followed by limeburning and milling. An ample flow of water found in the Wissahickon Creek and its tributaries supported at least three local mills. It was from this industry that 'Flourtown' took its name. The abundance of lime and iron ore in its bounds gave 'Oreland' its appropriate designation. 'Erdenheim,' originally known as 'Heydricksdale' or 'Wheelpump' was finally named after nearby farms and means 'earthly home.' Wyndmoor,' originally called 'Tedyuscung,' is the subject of many Native American legends.

"It is believed the original Native American name did not translate to the English language and it was renamed 'Windmoor,' referencing the winds blowing through the valleys and over the rolling hills.

"The American Revolution had a direct impact on Springfield Township between the Battle of Germantown on Oct 3, 1777, and the march to Valley Forge on December 19, 1777. The local inns along Bethlehem Pike served American soldiers and British Red Coats as the armies see-sawed back and forth through the Township from December 5 through 7 of that year. A military skirmish at Bethlehem Pike, Paper Mill Road and Stenton Avenue left many dead from both sides, some of whom are buried at the Schwenkfelder Cemetery located off of Montgomery Avenue.

"Life in Springfield remained somewhat unchanged until the mid 19th Century when improved roads and new forms of transportation made Springfield more accessible to city residents. In 1854 the Philadelphia and Reading railroad was extended to Chestnut Hill and Springfield was much in demand for summer homes away from the heat of the City. In the 1880's the Pennsylvania railroad was continued to Chestnut Hill and serious development began. New homes were constructed for year-round living. Local farmers found farming no longer practical or desirable, as land had become too valuable for building purposes. Two types of development occurred: the 'villages' and the 'great estates.'

"The village of Oreland was laid out in 1889 near the North Penn Railroad running along the east side of town. In 1892, the village of Erdenheim was planned. Starting in the late 1800's, Wyndmoor became the site of the Great Estates. 'Ropsley,' better known locally as the 'Poe House,' still stands on Montgomery Avenue as a single-family residence. This era also produced 'Whitemarsh Hall' (demolished in 1980) and 'Lane's End/Guildford,' which most recently housed the University of Pennsylvania Conference Center but has been returned once again to a private residence after extensive renovations.

"Springfield had shown a slow but steady growth from 16 landholders in 1734 to 69 in 1776. By 1850 the number of residents had grown to include 743 persons among 114 houses, 124 families and 65 farms. In 1880, the population was 1,535 and by 1930 it had grown to 5,541. Between 1940 and 1950, the population doubled due to the post war construction boom and by 1970, had nearly doubled again. The 1980 census showed the first decline in population with the trend continuing as indicated by the 1990 census. Today the township consists of approximately 7,200 housing units with a population of 19,533 residents.

"As the Township grew, so did the need for services. Initially, the Township was governed by the 'Overseers of the Poor,' whose records started in 1755. In 1802 this body became known as the 'Supervisors of Public Roads.' In 1899, a Commonwealth law was passed creating Townships of the first or second class. The first five Commissioners of Springfield Township took their oath of office on March 10, 1901 after township officials chose to incorporate as a First Class Township earlier in the same year. In 1952 a sixth Commissioner was added and by 1972 a seventh, and final, had been added."

Bibliography:

Quoted text from: Springfield Township. "History." Accessed July 6, 2012. http://www.springfieldmontco.org/index.asp?pageId=49.

From the guide to the Springfield Township Historical Society photograph collection, 1887-2006, (Springfield Township Historical Society (Montgomery County, Pa.))