Historians at Cornwall Iron Furnace will offer two presentations this month, one dealing with iconic local architecture and the other, a traditional craft for the upcoming Christmas season.
Here’s what you need to know.
Mansions of Cornwall
“The Mansions of Cornwall: Icons of an Industrial Dynasty” is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 10. According to the furnace website, L. Susan Wentzel and Michael A. Trump will showcase various mansions, past and present, that can be found in the Cornwall area.
Their visual presentation will include many historic photographs, along with a discussion focusing on the families that lived in them as well as the various architectural styles represented in the area. Spanning the 18th through the mid-20th centuries, the imposing structures were built not only as status symbols to show off a family’s wealth but also as icons of Cornwall’s rich iron industry.
Wentzel is an artist, author, educator, historian, historic preservationist, and lifelong resident of Cornwall. Known for her original watercolor paintings of the historic buildings of the area, she retired as an art teacher from Cedar Crest Middle School and was a former adjunct professor at Lebanon Valley College. She is president of the Cornwall Historical Alliance and a board member of the Friends of Cornwall Iron Furnace.
Trump is an educator, historian, author, artist, and historic preservationist from Rexmont. He is known for his knowledge of local history and his collection of historic photographs and original hand-drawn Christmas cards depicting buildings in his hometown. He teaches sixth grade at Cedar Crest Middle School and is a board member of the Lebanon County Historical Society and the Historical Preservation Trust of Lebanon County, and a charter member of the Friends of Cornwall Iron Furnace, currently serving as vice president.
Mike Emery, site administrator for Cornwall Iron Furnace, will moderate a brief discussion at the end of the presentation, which is offered at no cost to attendees, although donations are appreciated.
Their presentation will be held in-person at Freeman Hall at Cornwall Manor as well as virtually on the Zoom platform. Registration is required only for online attendance.
PA German Folded Stars
Wentzel will offer two workshops on Pennsylvania German Folded Stars on Saturday, Sept. 21. The first session runs from 10 a.m. to noon and the second, from 1 to 3 p.m.
“Learn the magical art of paper folding as you create your own beautiful 16-pointed stars that traditionally decorated the Christmas trees of early German immigrants,” according to the furnace website. “The finished stars will be dipped into melted wax to preserve them for years to come.”
Pennsylvania German folded stars were one of the first Christmas ornaments to be introduced into Colonial America, the release explains.
All materials will be provided, and no experience is necessary. Each session is limited to 18 participants (ages 18 and older). Advance registration is required by calling board treasurer Kathy Donaldson at 717-273-7560.
Classes will be held in the Historic Wagon Shop at 94 Rexmont Road, Cornwall. Cost for the workshops is $15 for museum members, $20 for non-members.
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