The Dusty Cellar

The Village of Manayunk

2012-02-07T12:00:00.003-05:00

The Village of Manayunk

is in the north west part of the City of Philadelphia.

The name Manayunk is from

the Lenape Indian word for 'river'...or literally, 'to drink.'

Which is funny,

because today Manayunk is known for its night life.

So the word continues to apply!

Manayunk got its start

due to its location along the Schyukhill River.

At the onset of the Industrial Revolution

a canal was created

to supply power for mills.

Today, along the canal is a wonderful path

used for walking, running and biking.

The Manayunk Canal Towpath

is part of the Schuykill River Trail

which can get you from Philly to Valley Forge

on a 20 mile path. Map here.

Don't you love the dog's little blue backpack?!

So if the 'Yunker' Nightlife isn't your thing,

you can enjoy all Manayunk has to offer in the daytime hours.

It is worth investigating!

Click here for more Manayunk Photos.

New Hope Lambertville Winterfest

2012-01-31T12:00:00.001-05:00

This was the first time I attended a parade in winter!
It just seemed a little strange to me...
A parade in winter.

And lucky me, the weather was more spring-like than winter-like.

Maybe that explains what got me there.

Or maybe it was because a group of my photo club friends
were meeting there too.

Whatever!

At least there was a lot of winter blues to see -
From sunglasses to firefighter hats!

The best part of a parade are the kids.
Don't you agree?

For more Winterfest Photos click here.

What blues do you have to share this week?

The Boathouse Row Hawk

2012-01-25T10:38:00.001-05:00

Along the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia

is a popular path used for biking and running.

It passes right along Boathouse Row and the Art Museum.

It is an urban area

so a wildlife encounter

kind or surprised me!

According to the local residents,

this fellow is a regular.

He hunts for critters in their gardens.

He didn't catch anything

while I watched,

but it wasn't for lack of trying!

More photos here.

Moravian Tile Works

2012-01-24T11:13:00.000-05:00

Forgive me...

I am still on my Henry C. Mercer obsession.

(The man is fascinating.)

This week the focus is on his tiles.

In his early 50's, Henry Chapman Mercer started producing the tiles

for which he is known today.
They have been purchased and installed around the world.

His style and designs were inspired by his large collection of
German Stove Plates.
You can see the similarities in the designs.
Below is a sample stove plate.

The tiles were made by hand -
as Mercer was a proponent of the Arts and Crafts Movement.

Today, his Moravian Pottery and Tile Works still exists
in Doylestown, PA and produces the tiles
in the same manner of Henry C. Mercer.

Visiting one of his buildings
is like visiting tile heaven.

Stained Glass from the Castle

2012-01-20T07:32:00.001-05:00

The original stained glass inside

St. Mary's Home...

which is the local castle...

has an interesting history!

To learn more about the Lindenwold Castle,

see this post.

The Victorian ladies

are featured in the stained glass windows

adorning the dining room.

The 'official' statement

is that the ladies were copied off of dinner plates

the Richard V. Mattison

had imported.

But the guide

had a much more interesting

theory.

He believed one photo to be

the first wife of Richard V. Mattison

and the others to be his mistresses!

In the absence of dinner plates as proof

I am believing the second theory!

haha!

St. Mary's acquired the castle and has since added some

additional stained glass.

But nothing as interesting

as Richard's ladies.

Behind the Castle Walls

2012-01-18T10:45:00.005-05:00

I finally had a chance to get behind the castle walls!

(Photo taken previously.)

I have wished for this day for a decade.

So when St. Mary's Villa in Ambler, PA

announced the first open house in 10 years

I signed up immediately.

The castle typically has 'No Trespassing' signs.

Here is an after (left) and before (right) of the castle
found on a second story wall.

In 1879 the home was built as a Queen Anne Gothic Mansion.
(Which I prefer over the remodel!)
In 1901 Dr. Richard V. Mattison
remodeled the property to resemble
Windsor Castle in England.
He named the property Lindenwold.

Upon entering the castle
you are greeted with beautiful hand carved woodwork
imported from Germany.
It kind of reminds me of the woodwork
on some cuckoo clocks I've seen.

Immediately to your right
is the formal parlor
containing one of two marble fireplaces in the home.

And in one of the window alcoves a piano...
if I were a child I think this location would motivate me to practice!

Although this room was redone by St Mary's
it retains the look and feel of the original decor.

Behind the formal parlor is the library
which retains much of the original Spanish style decor.

Opposite the front door and down the hall is the dining room.
The dining room windows are made of stained glass
featuring Victorian women.

There is a beautiful staircase that takes you to the second floor
with a stained glass window added by St. Mary's.

My favorite room is at the top of the stairs.
It is the sitting room...and I could sit here for hours!

The afternoon light made this room beautiful!

The sitting room connects to several other rooms around it.

This completes the first two floors,
but there are two more floors above that I wish could be explored!
Maybe sometime in the future.

Dr. Richard Mattison and his business partner Mr. Henry Keasbey

made their business in medicines

until Mattison discovered asbestos

which was sold for use in building supplies.

We all know the danger of asbestos now,

and as a result of asbestos manufacturing, Ambler was left with a Superfund site .

Keasbey & Mattison remained in business until the Great Depression

when their business was sold to Turner, Newhall Ltd. in 1934.

Dr. Mattison died in 1936.

Lindenwold Castle was acquired by St. Mary's Villa in 1936

in order to expand their services as an orphanage for boys.

Today, "St Mary's Villa for Children and Families

is recognized as a preeminent provider of services for

abused and neglected children in the greater Philadelphia area."

For older images from the Library of Congress, click here.

For more images from this set, click here.

Abandoned Gas Station

2012-01-17T12:00:00.007-05:00

I don't know what it is about abandoned places

but they attract people...

especially photographers!

I love them
and the photo ops are endless!

I think it has something to do with the textures
and the unusual subjects you'll find.

I have driven past this place for years...

And finally found someone to investigate with me.
I would never have gone alone!

More photos from this set are here.
What do you think?
Do you like abandoned places?
Or do you think I'm a little crazy?

Cigar Advertising

2012-01-12T13:10:00.000-05:00

Recently, I have been spending a lot of time

getting Mercerized....

that is, ~~learning~~ experiencing the history of Henry C. Mercer (1856-1930.)

He was quite an amazing man -

and had the foresight to leave behind a tangible legacy.

I just LOVE that.

One of his passions was the collecting of

pre Industrial Revolution Americana.

In Doylestown, Bucks County, PA

there is an entire museum dedicated to his collections.

(And pinch me...you are permitted to take photos!)

But today, I am just going to give you a peek

featuring his Cigar Advertising figures.

Why?

Because they fit the meme I am linking to!

Friday My Town Shoot Out

The Mailbox

2012-01-11T07:12:00.000-05:00

I found this amusing...

What, exactly, should one deposit in there?

Linking to Signs, Signs.

The Pillsbury Dough Boy

2012-01-10T12:00:00.002-05:00

I have been motivated by this post at

Garden of Daisies

to declutter!

366 items out the door this year!

That's one item per day...but whose counting?!
(I am...and I am ahead!)

Here is #24

but it is first in my second batch of items for the thrift store.

He is a cutie

and he does the dough boy giggle when you lift his lid.

(And I am quite proud to admit that

I was capable of lifting the lid while silencing the giggle!)

My kids are grown and we no longer need a giggle

to know when someone is having another cookie!
He has been sitting on a shelf, unused, for a number of years now.

So maybe another family can enjoy him for a bit.
He'll be making his appearance at a thrift store in the near future.

Peter Wentz Farmstead, Worcester, PA

2012-01-07T14:15:00.005-05:00

Here in Pennsylvania we are enjoying

unseasonably warm weather.

And I am liking it!

Although today was designated as a recovery day

from all the the holiday festivities we had,

I had to get outside and do something!

So...hubby and I took a ride north

to the Peter Wentz Farmstead in Worcester.

And guess what we learned...

George Washington slept here!

No kidding, he really did.

Fortunately, the farmstead was previously owned

by people who appreciated that historical fact.

Thus, many details of the period were maintained.

Today it is owned by Montgomery County, PA

and is restored to reflect its residents earlier lifestyles.

The Farmstead is an example of 18 century Pennsylvania German history.

My heart pitter-patters over 18th century US history.

Really, it does...just ask my husband.

Interestingly, I just learned about these German stove designs
at Fonthill Castle in Doylestown!
They were used to inspire tile designs by Henry Mercer.

The details of this place exude history!

OK, the food isn't real,
but we can pretend it is.

Check out this original lock!!
This is a piece of art in itself.

That's hubby and our guide Erin...
he is a mechanical engineer.
Enough said.

The summer kitchen was used...

... to bake bread for George Washington!
Right there, in that bread oven!

You can find all of my photos in this gallery.

Visit this gem
on Shearer Road in
Worcester, PA.
Long/Lat 40.200805, -75.338187
Or find them on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/peterwentzfarmstead

Peter Wentz Farmstead Hours of Operation:		Click on map for larger view.
Tues.- Sat.	10:00 - 4:00 PM
Sunday	1:00 - 4:00 PM
Last Tour	3:30 PM
Closed Mondays and major holidays.
Reservations are required for group tours. Admission: FREE!

All they suggest is a small donation of $2.
Now that's a bargain!

Thursday's Favorite Things

A Midweek Blues Gift

2012-01-03T12:00:00.003-05:00

I received a Christmas gift for Midweek Blues!

Wasn't that thoughtful of the giver?

It is this lovely blue candle

scented with Blue Spruce!

Perfect!

So I made it into a gift for you too!

It is a desktop background.

You may download either version of the background here

and spread some blue cheer....

(To download, click on the link,

hover over the photo,

click on the file icon with the green arrow.)

My little winter gift for you!

Home for the Holidays

2011-12-26T12:00:00.009-05:00

Wearing his 'Dress Blues'

my daughter's boyfriend made it home for the holidays.

Did you see someone special for the holidays?

Christmas Morning

2011-12-25T10:11:00.000-05:00

I just LOVE when you get this reaction from a gift.

We gave this gift to my MIDDLE child.

It is just a bottle of wine...

Or is it??

Who cares what it TASTES like,

the label is priceless!!

Middle Sister

Rebel Red

Philly Lights

2011-12-23T07:54:00.000-05:00

Photos taken fromt the South Street Bridge in Philly.
Friday My Town Shoot Out

PSU Abington Commencement

2011-12-20T12:00:00.002-05:00

Congratulations to Future Son In Law
for graduating in blue and white.

He finished in 3.5 years!

Way to go!

Below...the PSU Nittany Lion
welcomes the guests.

And when your last name starts with Y
you might be the last one up!

Here's the proud fam and my daughter.

Here's a photo with me...
a rare moment in FRONT of the camera.

What were the colors of your school?
My college was blue and white too...
but it was not Penn State.

Christmas Light Extravaganza

2011-12-17T11:52:00.002-05:00

Just around the corner from my home

is a neighbor who goes all out for Christmas!

Located on Butler Pike right at the

Ambler Exit of Rt. 309 -

You'll likely find a traffic jam

of light seekers!

For those of you who can't make it in person...

here's a glimpse!

Yes, even Santa stops in for a visit...

The Comcast Experience HD Video Wall

2011-12-13T12:00:00.002-05:00

The Comcast Center in Philly

is worth visiting when you are in town.

Click here for an outside view of the building.

Inside, the main lobby,

which is open to the public,

has a 2000 sq foot LED video wall

that displays 'public art.'

In this case,

public art is

an impressive video and musical

production.

Don't forget too look up at the end
because it snows!!

I chose shots with touches of blue
for Midweek Blues,
but you can see more photos here.

Does your town or city
have a holiday sight to see?
Please share it with me.

Byers' Choice

2011-12-09T20:27:00.000-05:00

Just a bit up the road from me

is a Made in America

success story: Byers' Choice.

Byers' Choice was started by Jane Byers -

with roots in the 1960s

of her first designs of Christmas Carolers.

Soon orders began to come in

as others wanted Carolers of their own.

And a business was born.

Today, you can visit their factory,

and watch the artists at work.

You can also walk through villages

of eternal caroling!

There are hundreds of their Carolers on display.

All the photos in this set

have something in common.

Did you notice what it is?

Hopefully,

my friends from

Friday My Town Shoot Out

noticed!

A Christmas Tree Pilgrimage

2011-12-06T12:00:00.001-05:00

Where I live the only places to buy Christmas trees

are in parking lots.

I am soooo not buying a Christmas Tree from a parking lot.

So we trek north to a Christmas Tree Farm.

Not as far north as the North Pole...

but pretty close!

We debate over which tree is the best tree.

And once decided,

it is cut and hauled home.

But first it is shaken....

and wrapped...

then placed on the rooftop.

And that completes our annual
Christmas Tree Pilgrimage!

Do you have an annual holiday tradition too?
Tell me about it!

The Pinnacle Hike via the Blue Blazed Trail

2011-11-29T10:36:00.004-05:00

There is a classic small town in Berks Co., Pennsylvania named Hamburg

where you can find a hike to a mountain overlook
view of the beautiful countryside below.

The area is popular with day hikers

but because it overlaps part of the Appalachian Trail

you'll find serious through hikers as well.

Our choice was to reach The Pinnacle Side Trail

via the Blue Blazed Trail.

Near the start is the Hamburg Reservoir.

Hubby always takes the lead...always.

A Pinnacle Tradition...
stack your rock on the pile.

Our friend, and trail guide, Marty
checks out the Appalachian Trail Log.

Usually when we hike with Marty,
something exciting happens,
like when my husband fell in the waterfall.
Read that humorous account here.

But today's hike was uneventful.
How nice!

If you go:

Parking GPS Coordinates: 40 35.01279388810332 N - 75 56.5171480178833 W

Follow the path from the parking lot through the gate.

Cross Furnace Creek over the small bridge.

Keep left at the fork and continue to a metal gate.

Pass through the gate,

keeping to the north side of the reservoir.

The blue trail begins after passing the reservoir.

There will be two steep rocky climbs,

but other than that, this part of the trail is a pretty easy going, gentle climb.

After 1 1/2 mi the path will T at a helipad clearing,

turn right and follow the white blazes of The Pinnacle Side Trail.

This section is relatively level with one rocky climb once you have

reached The Pinnacle.

You can continue down via The Pinnacle Side Trail

or back track from the way you came.

Baby Boy Blue

2011-11-22T12:00:00.001-05:00

I can't think of anything better in blue

than baby boys!
I am so glad I had one too.
But this baby boy is not mine!
I just got to photograph him.

One of my faves from this set is on my photo blog here.
Happy Thanksgiving to my American Friends!

The Funeral of Joe Frazier

2011-11-15T12:22:00.002-05:00

Legendary boxer Joe Frazier

passed away last week of liver cancer.

Someone passing always makes me feel blue.

His funeral services were located about 15 min from where I live.

Here are some pics...

not many blue pics...

just a blue topic.

The one on the right is Rocky Lockridge, 2x world champ.

Retired Cruiserweight, Simon "One Punch" Carr,

now promotes fights as "One Punch Inc."

and is a designer with a label "Punchline".

His record as an amateur was 40-3 (20) and 5-4-1 (3) as a pro

Nate "Mr." Miller, WPA World Champ and Hall of Famer

This charming man said he was an attorney

who worked with Joe on his lawsuit over land in Bucks County.

He explained that all the men wearing hats like his were wearing them in honor of Joe.

The paparazzi

Jesse Jackson never passes up an interview op.

Larry Holmes gives an interview after the service.

He remembers getting hit in the ribs by Joe!

The great Muhammad Ali makes his way to his waiting car.

Need his name...

A boxing promoter.

Need his name...

So, if you are a boxing fan

help me out here with names and details!

I'd make a terrible reporter...

I had no pen and paper!

Ugh!

My photo gallery from the funeral is here.

Hope Lodge Re enactment

2011-11-08T12:44:00.000-05:00

Nearby, at historic Hope Lodge

in Ft Washington, PA,

is an annual Revolutionary War Encampment.

Re enactors of all ages participate.

Some sleep overnight in period style tents.

They must be very brave. :)

They even demo a skirmish.

And a big canon blast.

There was plenty of red and blue

to celebrate the day.

The Blue Door

2011-11-01T12:00:00.002-04:00

My friend Jeanne and I had lunch with

some of our photographer friends at Pineville Tavern.

After lunch, the two of us went on a little excursion

to some abandoned rail cars.

The blue door on this train caught my eye.

The old rail cars are next to a lumber yard
that looks pretty abandoned but says is "Open."

It is not exactly the kind of place I would venture into alone...
and I for sure would not pass off a bad check there! LOL.

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