ROYERSFORD PA – Only one day, Sunday (Dec. 22), remains before the Spring-Ford Historical Society museum ends its exhibit on “Disaster Strikes the Boroughs.” It’s been a highly popular display, and its run was extended due to public demand. Now its end is near, according to the latest newsletter from the society, at 526 Main St.
An extensive use of materials highlights some of the disasters that have occurred in Royersford, Spring City, and surrounding area over many years. They include train wrecks, a 1924 trolley crash, other accidents, a huge warehouse fire, and storms and floods.
The exhibit is “loaded with archival photographs, newspaper headlines and articles, and also includes related artifacts,” the society says.
Importantly, the exhibit on display in the museum’s Fetterolf Gallery, also demonstrates their impact on the area, and describes changes that were made to prevent or prepare for future disasters.
New exhibits are coming to the society museum in January. Attendance this Sunday, however, allows visitors to enjoy a last look at the disaster exhibit, as well as see revamped rooms in its Farmhouse, and new permanent displays in its gallery.
The society’s regular operating hours are Sundays from 1-3 p.m., and Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, call the society at 610-948-7127 or send an e-mail to info@sfahs.com.
The doubly-memorable ‘Great Spring City Fire of 1881’
One feature of the exhibit covers “The Great Spring City Fire of 1881,” which occurred at the branch foundry for the former Shantz and Keeley stove works.
Local historian and society founding member Lawrence W. Shaner wrote about the 1881 fire for The Spring-Ford Reporter newspaper to commemorate the fire’s 100th anniversary in 1981. At that point, another fire (top photo) had gutted a former five-story Lebow Furniture warehouse in Royersford.
The society newsletter describes Shaner’s account as “a fascinating story of how the mammoth (1881) blaze threatened the entire town.” The neighboring communities of Phoenixville and Norristown, it adds, “transported their fire-fighting equipment by rail to save the town.” At the time Spring City lacked firefighting equipment and a fire company, the newsletter notes.
By 1882, it had both!
Society and museum volunteers Sandi Van Buren, Amy Demchik, Dave Willauer, Mike Osiol, and Jane Reedy are credited with the exhibit’s research and assembly.
The exhibit also is accompanied by an eight-page complimentary copy of Shaner’s “The Great Spring City Fire of 1881″ report, filled with vintage images. Non-resident members can request a mailed copy of the story for $4.
Photos provided to Travels With The Post by the Spring-Ford Area Historical Society
Branch Life Church Schedules Christmas Eve Services