O.K. you got me curious about this Germantown Historical Society's Web Page
and I seem not to be find it by searching. How about sharing that address
with the rest of us. Gloria Caster Heitsman
-----Original Message-----
From: Custer, Ken <ken.custer(a)aerojet.com>
To: CASTOR-L(a)rootsweb.com <CASTOR-L(a)rootsweb.com>
Date: Thursday, September 17, 1998 5:40 PM
Subject: RE: [CASTOR-L] Germantown Hist.Soc. web page!!
Hi, Phyllis!
So glad that you found the Germantown Historical Society's Web Page! I
was only in Philadelphia from Sunday night to Tuesday noon. So, I
decided that I would go on Monday to Germantown. All I had was the
Descendants of Paulus and Gertrude Kusters book. I first found the GHS
and was so excited! The only problem was that they were closed on
Mondays. However, there was a real nice lady (can't remember her name)
that came to the door. When she found out that I was a Custer, she let
me in. I ended up spending about $100 in books and brochures and
maps... I also became a member of the GHS... They have this beautiful
parchment type map thats about 18x20 that shows the original Germantown
with all the 13 families... I've since had it mounted, matted and framed
and it's hanging alongside my family tree, just outside of the Castor
Association's Lending Library - I guess you could say its guarding our
books! <smile>
I wish there was some way you could see my photos from Germantown. I
can't remember everything but I was able to find the school you were
talking about. Actually, it's right next to a mortuary (can't remember
the name). The gates to the cemetery (next to the school) are locked
and you have to get the key from the mortuary. I went inside to get the
key. Well, the only guy who was knowledgable about the cemetery was off
doing a funeral and wouldn't be back until the next day. The guy I
spoke to (a young gentlemen) was very helpful. He gave me a VIP tour of
the mortuary.
In the beginning, the building was a cabinet shop. Actually, they
manufactured these beautiful (very large) grandfather clocks. When the
War of Germantown happened and the Brittish took over and then General
Washington and his men came in and wiped them out, the building was
immediately turned into a hospital and mortuary. The wood was used for
coffins for all of the many soilders that were killed.
There are artifacts (behind the scenes) that are priceless. Actually,
they should all be in the Smithsonian. For instance, the very first
Bible ever printed in America is there! On display!!! I was astonished
that no one knows the place exists.
I was there the Monday before the "Summit" where several living
presidents and Gen Colin Powell was on their campaign to clean up
America. They even went to Germantown - which, by the way, is in pretty
bad shape - as a part of their motorcade. I asked if they were coming
by the mortuary and he said he had tried to convince the Mayor of
Philidelphia and his response was - "they don't have time!"
If they had, as I told the guy, President Clinton and Hillary would most
likely have them just transfer all the artifacts to the Smithsonian.
What bothers me is that the area is now a predominantly black
neighborhood. I would hate for someone to break in and steal some of
the artifacts...even worse, a fire could break out!
This is a MUST for anyone visiting the area.
I'm planning on going back and spend more time... with my new digital
camera and we can record some of this on our Web site... I hate I never
made it to the cemetery, but, maybe you can! I'll try and get the name
of it or maybe we can get it from the GHS...
I stayed at the Comfort Inn down at the edge of the water, at Penn's
Landing. That's where our forefathers landed, so, it kinda made it more
interesting to actually stay close to there. I took the little
historical streetcar tour of the city - similar to the one in Boston and
some other major historical cities. I could have spent a month there!
Can't wait to go back. You can get off at any stop and
sitesee...there's another car coming along every 10 minutes or so.
I'll close for now, but will try to pull out my photos to jog my
memory...
I'm jealous (wish I could join you!) but glad that you're getting to go!
Later,
Ken Custer, President/Librarian
The Castor Association of America
> ----------
> From: Phyllis Ryerse[SMTP:phyllis@webnet.com]
> Reply To: phyllis(a)webnet.com
> Sent: Thursday, September 17, 1998 1:31 PM
> To: CASTOR-L(a)rootsweb.com
> Subject: [CASTOR-L] Germantown Hist.Soc. web page!!
>
> Oh, I gotta stop by and see these folks!!
>
http://www.libertynet.org/ghs/index.htm
> Check 'em out!
> I called to talk to them....
> Asked if they had a surname index or vertical files I could look at.
> The lady replied......."yes, what name are you looking for?"
> I said......Custer..........
> She said, "oh yes......we have lots on that family!!"
>
> Now I'm really getting excited.
> Gotta go look at the Bucks Co. web page......
>
> Is Ken Custer back home yet??? Ken??
> I'm sure he told me he visited Germantown one time. I need his
> imput!
>
> we'll talk again later!!
> Phyllis in Atlanta
>
>
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>
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