Historical News and Notes: Welsh Strawbridge Injured

Welsh Strawbridge after a fall.
Photo courtesy of the Horsham Preservation & Historical Association.

The following notice appeared in the October 27, 1911 New York Tribune.

Philadelphia, Oct. 26. - Welsh Strawbridge, a well known clubman, was injured yesterday by a fall from his horse at the Whitemarsh Club. He was rendered unconscious by the accident. Mr. Strawbridge is a member of the Philadelphia Cricket and Radnor Hunt clubs.

The Library of Congress has made historic newspapers dating from 1836-1920 available through its Chronicling America series.

A Wedding at Graeme Park: Jessica & Wayne

We wrapped up wedding season here at Graeme Park with the wedding of Jessica and Wayne. They had a beautiful sunny, although slightly windy, October afternoon to say their vows with the historic Keith House and a beautiful white rose bedecked garden arch (supplied by them) as their backdrop. 

After the ceremony their guests retired to the Open Aire Affairs wedding tent on the property for cocktails and hors d'oeuvres catered by Centre County Caterers of State College, Pennsylvania. After passing the initialed and "I do" pumpkins on the way into the tent, they picked up their place cards from an antique table at the entrance.

Hors d'oeuvres were served along with cocktails at one end of the large tent, leaving plenty of space for seating for their 125 guests at the other end.

The dinner tables were all set with neutral linens and vintage mismatched china and glassware and the buffet had mismatched plates as well to load up with roast turkey, mashed potatoes, several green salads, vegetables, and more.

The head table got an extra punch of color with cranberry colored napkins and glassware.

The cranberry theme was reflected in the centerpieces, which were all unique vessels filled with water, cranberries and floating candles; scattered tea light completed the tables and provided a nice glow throughout the evening. 

The table numbers were printed on framed sheet music, as the groom is a musician. In fact his band played throughout the reception.

The cake and a huge variety of pies were provided by Lochel's Bakery of Hatboro.

When the band finished playing or took a break, a DJ cranked up the tunes and turned on the lights and almost all of the guests were up and dancing.

Congratulations Jessica and Wayne and thanks for choosing Graeme Park to start your life together.

A Wedding at Graeme Park: Maggie & Tom

Maggie and Tom had a traditional church wedding, then invited guests back to Graeme Park for cocktails, dinner and dancing in the Open Aire Affairs tent on the property. The party started with drinks and hot and cold hors d'oeuvres, catered by Blue Monkey Catering of Feasterville, in the tented barn yard.

The tent was set with brown and orange linens, with lace toppers on the tables. Centerpieces were roses, Gerber daisies, and other seasonal flowers in reds, oranges, and yellows set on unique wooden boards. Blue Monkey had incorporated various antique elements onto the buffet tables and bars, along with baskets, flowers, and seasonal pumpkins and gourds. 

The menu was a homey selection of braised short ribs, roasted turkey, mushroom risotto, green salad, haricots vert, and best of all a potato bar with mashed potatoes and pureed sweet potatoes served up in a martini glass with a selection of help-yourself toppings.

Somehow I managed to miss getting a picture of the cakes, which were baked by Zake's Cafe of Fort Washington. There was a delicious choice of lemon or mocha with tons of cream filling between the layers of cake. In keeping with the season, the figures on top were none other than Jack Skellington and Sally.

Congratulations Maggie and Tom and best wishes for the future. Thank you for celebrating at Graeme Park.

A Wedding at Graeme Park: Cassie & Brian

Brian and Cassie had a lovely October afternoon to say their vows on the ramp to the barn. They did without all of the pomp and circumstance of a formal processional and instead just gathered friends and family around while they stood up on the hill and got married.

Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres were served in the tent, and Birchtree Catering, who focus on locally sourced, seasonal ingredients and have a green philosophy, put out a gorgeous spread of delicious nibbles for guests to enjoy.

The tables were all set with sustainable bamboo flatware, mismatched, printed napkins in seasonal colors and the bar, appetizer and gift tables all had matching pennant banners. In lieu of flowers, centerpieces were a gathering of lanterns and candles.

The seating chart, bar menu and party favors were identified in custom chalkboard graphics, and guests were given a mug featuring a silhouette profile of the couple.

After a meal of homey comfort foods, including roasted chicken, pork roll, mixed vegetables, potato fritters and mac and cheese, guests were treated to a dessert buffet. Not only was everything cutely styled on hollowed out logs and tiered trees made from slices of logs, but the mother of the bride made a lot of the homemade goodies, including the adorable cupcakes. 

 

 

And  because you can never have too many pictures of desserts, here are a few more.

Congratulations Cassie and Brian! Thanks for celebrating at Graeme Park and best wishes for a long and happy future.

A Wedding at Graeme Park: Jaimie & Ben

Wedding season is in full swing here at Graeme Park (so prepare yourself for a few more weeks of these updates). Jaimie and Ben planned a lovely fall-themed wedding in perfect keeping with the season.

They chose to say their vows near the pond, with the historic Keith House as the backdrop and guests facing the water.

Once the vows were said, guests proceeded to the barn yard area, where they enjoyed cocktails and hors d'oeuvres in front of the 19th century stone bank barn.

The bridesmaids looked lovely in dark red dresses that complimented the oranges and yellows used in the flowers and other areas throughout the wedding. 

While guests enjoyed drinks and a spread of fruit, meat and cheese, shrimp, bruschetta, an olive bar, grilled veggies, and more, Jaimie and Ben were able to sneak in some photos using the historic barn as a backdrop.

Guests were treated to hay bales, pumpkins and scarecrows as they adjourned to the Open Aire Affairs wedding tent.

Tables were set with camel and pumpkin colored linens and the centerpieces were adorable hollowed out pumpkins with flowers, scarecrows and small chalkboard table numbers.

The buffet-style meal was catered by Buona Via restaurant in Horsham and included beef, chicken, potatoes, rice pilaf, mixed vegetables and tortellini. 

The cake was baked and decorated by Beth MacCausland, who just happens to be a the President of the Friends of Graeme Park, in addition to being an expert baker (she doesn't have a website yet, but she's easy to track down here if you're in the market for a special occasion cake or cupcakes). 

Congratulations Jaimie and Ben and thanks so much for choosing Graeme Park for your special day!