Lunch and Learn Lecture Series at Graeme Park

This October why not get in the "back to school" mood with an informative talk, lunch and tour of the historic Keith House, when the Friends of Graeme Park present their Lunch & Learn Lecture Series on three consecutive Wednesday mornings. The day will include a continental breakfast, lecture, hot and cold lunch buffet (different hot entree each week) and tour of the historic Keith House. You can sign up for one, two, or all three. The cost is $20/lecture or $50 for the entire series. We have several interesting topics lined up as described below. Check-in and breakfast begin at 10:15, the lecture starts at 11, lunch is at noon and the house tour will follow. Please see our website at www.graemepark.org for more information and the registration form.

October 1

Your Appointment with Dr. Benjamin Rush

Congratulations!  You have managed to survive the 1793 epidemic of yellow fever that has decimated the population of Philadelphia and Dr. Rush has scheduled a follow-up visit with you to review the epidemic and discuss possible treatments.  Meet him at Graeme Park, the Horsham home of the Graeme family and an important rural refuge during the epidemic in the city.  Although he is famous for his massive bloodletting techniques, you probably will not be subjected to that therapy on this particular visit.

Presenter: Dr. Jim Miller: Jim is a retired biology professor and published author. With his scientific career behind him, he’s free to pursue his interests in the arts and humanities, and sometimes plays a doctor at Graeme Park.

October 8

To Normandy and Back Again

One June 6, 1944 Allied forces landed troops on the beaches of Normandy. Nineteen year old PFC Herbert Levy arrived a few days later with the Corps of Engineers where his duties involved building bridges, explosives expertise and more. Herb, who received the French Legion of Honor medal a few years ago, recently had the opportunity to travel back to Normandy with his grandchildren as a guest of the French government for the 70th Anniversary Celebration. His presentation will take you through his wartime duties and his recent trip back .

Presenter, Herbert F. Levy, AIA: After his discharge from the Army, Herb went on to earn his BA in Architecture and his MA in American Studies from the University of Pennsylvania. He’s been a volunteer researcher and docent at Graeme Park for more years than anyone can remember.

October 15

They Were Soldiers, Too:  Researching Civil War Women on the Home Front

Mothers, daughters, sister, sweethearts, and wives--North and South--had a unique Civil War story often overlooked in the fervor to write of battles and battlefields. Remarkable records survive to tell the stories of women on the homefront; stories of love, leadership, loss, and often divided loyalties played out in row homes, mansions, slave quarters, and plowfields from Maine to Florida.  Come learn of grandmas who really did shoot Yankees, aunties who feigned modesty to conceal contraband in their "dainties,"  spirited mothers who fiercely protected their families, and much much more.  Participants will be equipped to seek their own stories of strong women in the Civil War. 

Presenter: Kellee Green Blake: Kellee is the retired director of the National Archives, Mid-Atlantic Region. She is an accomplished speaker with expertise on many historical and genealogical topics.

A Wedding at Graeme Park: Hilary & Isaac

Our busy weekend of July weddings concluded with Hilary and Isaac on Saturday, who chose to say their "I Dos" under the oak tree in front of the Keith House at Graeme Park. 

Since the bride and groom were from opposite coasts (Pennsylvania and California) and met at college in the mid-west, arriving guests were asked to indicate where they were from on a framed map with a pin. 

After the ceremony, guests gathered in the barn yard for refreshments and hors d'oeuvres. 

Back by the Open Aire Affairs wedding tent guests had a variety of lawn games to play and could easily find their seating assignment on a board set up with little tags.

The tent itself was decorated in white and peach linens with multiple vases of orange and green zinnias and baby's breath grouped together to form simple, pretty centerpieces.

In addition to her tiered cake, the bride opted for several smaller side cakes, and for a topper she used two silver spoons - so cute and unique. The cakes were made by a friend and the buffet dinner of chicken, pork, mashed potatoes, string beans and pasta primavera was prepared by Catering by Rich.

At the end of the evening guests lined up along the path to send the couple off with sparklers and best wishes.

Congratulations Hilary and Isaac and thank you for choosing to celebrate at Graeme Park.

A Wedding at Graeme Park: Jillian & Patrick

Last weekend was a busy one for weddings at Graeme Park, with ceremonies and receptions taking place both Friday and Saturday nights. The weekend started off with Jillian and Patrick getting married down in a clearing in the woods under a custom archway built by the groom and decorated with pretty, bright sunflowers.

Guests were greeted with a water station set up on a cute customized dresser, also diy'd by the couple, so they could take refreshment down to the ceremony site with them.

The bridesmaids wore navy blue short cocktail dresses and carried bouquets of sunflowers and the groomsmen were in gray suits.

The bride and her mother came down another path through the woods to her waiting groom and guests.

The Open Aire Affairs wedding tent was decorated in navy blue and white linens with custom built (again by the groom) round wooden table toppers that looked like old barrel tops (these, along with the wedding arch, are now owned by Open Aire Affairs and available for rental).

The centerpieces were twine wrapped wine bottles with sunflowers and baby's breath - so simple and cute and perfect with the rustic wood touches.

The buffet dinner of chicken, barbecue ribs, wild rice, green beans, and sauteed zucchini and summer squash was prepared by Georgina's Foods.

The simple three layer cake was presented as separate layers (one was red velvet, one was chocolate, not sure about the top layer) decorated with sunflowers around the bottom layer. There were also peach and margarita cupcakes.

Congratulations Jillian and Patrick, and thank you for choosing Graeme Park to begin your life together.