Special Projects Committee Gives Financial Support.

In keeping with the object and aims of the Society to secure, for preservation, the records relating to the War of the Revolution, the Special Projects Committee has made contributions to a number of worthy projects.

The Rosenbach Museum & Library on Delancey Place in Philadelphia received support from the Society and its Color Guard for its exhibition on George Washington, Becoming George: The Life and Letters of George Washington. At the invitation of Museum Director, Derick Dreher, the Board of Managers held their May 13^th meeting in the Museum’s board room. Afterwards, Board members, who were joined by their wives, enjoyed cocktails and light refreshments at the members reception opening the exhibition.

Another contribution was presented to the John Bartram Association to celebrate the 300^th anniversary of Historic Bartram's Garden. John Bartram, a prominent Philadelphian, was a naturalist, botanist and explorer and his pre-revolutionary home and grounds at 54^th street contain some of the most beautiful gardens in this area.

In her letter of thanks, Martha Leigh Wolf, the Executive Director, writes, "Through the Society's efforts, the Mayor of Philadelphia has been to the garden twice in less than a year, twice pledged support for a dock here, and has mentioned his delight in the commemorative brick you gave him on May 18 in numerous visits throughout Philadelphia. Thank you for taking the initiative to honor Mayor Rendell with a brick at Historic Bartram's Garden — so many of our visitors have asked to see it!"

A gracious thank you was also received from the Warwick Township Historical Society for the contribution made by the Society and its Color Guard toward the interior restoration of the Moland House. This contribution, which will be matched by a Keystone Preservation Grant, will help restore the interior of the house to its 1777 appearance.

This 18^th century farmhouse was George Washington’s headquarters at Neshaminy where 11,000 patriots encamped one month prior to the Battle of Brandywine. It is also where Generals Lafayette and Pulaski were sworn in.

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1st Lieut. Richard D. Smith, Michael Steinberger, Pres., Paoli Battlefield Preservation Fund, Congressman Curt Weldon (7th Pa) and President Curtis P. Cheyney, III

Patriots Awards Honor Society and Color Guard

The Society, its Color Guard and President Emeritus, Mark Frazier Lloyd were honored on Saturday, July 15, 2000 by the Paoli Battlefield Preservation Fund for the $15,000 donation it received to publish Thomas J. McGuire's book titled Battle of Paoli. The awards were given in recognition of the Society’s early support to preserve the Paoli Battlefield as it was under threat of commercial development. Mr. McGuire's recently released book depicts the events of the battle of Paoli and the Revolution in the Delaware Valley in 1777. Society members who belong to the Paoli Battlefield Preservation Fund include Winchell Smith Carroll and Harvard Castle Wood, III.

New Citizens Reception

The Society continues to extend a warm welcome to the new citizens of Philadelphia and surrounding suburbs. The New Citizens Committee, under the chairmanship of Stephen Hoyt, hosted a reception on Thursday, June 29^th. Refreshments were provided to over 90 new citizens, their families and friends.

The Honorable Jan E. DuBois and the Honorable James T. Giles, Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, presided over the Freedom Day naturalization ceremony. The new citizens represented 28 different countries and were encouraged by both judges to make full use of their new rights as citizens to vote.

The distinguished guest speaker, Allan H. Gordon, Esq., Vice Chancellor of the Philadelphia Bar Association, gave the new citizens a brief history lesson on how the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence suffered during this country’s fight for independence and freedom. Many lost their lives; most lost their possessions.

The Society will host one more reception this year on November 16, 2000 at the ceremonial courtroom in U.S. District Court at 601 Market Street in Philadelphia. All society members are invited to attend these New Citizen Receptions and Naturalization Ceremonies.