page 6 GlenRock CommunityGuide 2017-2018
World War I History Day exhibit at The Hermitage ,
2017 . Pictured are GRHPS members Bruce Packer ( mayor of Glen Rock ), Kay Tuite , Diane Herrlett and Bill Gilligan .
items that had been passed down in her family for over acentury ,” Tryforos said . “ Families have played a big part in donating to our collection .”
There are many similar examples . One is a collection of original materials connected to the renowned architect , Carl Kemm Loven , donated by his daughter , Mimi . The large collection contains original blueprints , as well as several hundred documents , including personal letters and student notebooks , a drafting table and drawing instruments belonging to the architect .
Tryforos said the GRHPS has also received a variety of smaller items donated by residents , including photographs , postcards , books , clothing and uniforms . However , of all the items donated to the GRHPS , Tryforos said her favorites are those that have a personal story , such as the World War I uniform jacket donated by the Sinkway family . The jacket was worn by Garret Sinkway , whose name is on The Rock ’ s Honor Roll plaque of local World War I veterans . There ’ s also the complete MP uniform donated by veteran Paul Gutheil , who served in Germany in the 1950s .
All the donated items share a common but important trait besides being among the last vestiges of the past .
“ Each and every piece in our collection has a story to tell ,” Tryforos said .“ I think it is
important to realize where you come from , what came before , and what sacrifices were made bythose who made the borough what it is today ,” she said .
All the artifacts offer awindow tobygone days and , therefore , help the GRHPS fulfill its mission .
“ All of these materials help us learn more about the area ’ s past and enable us to share that history with the public ,” she said .
How the GRHPS shares these historical items is even inspired . The artifacts are on view at The Museum at the Station , GRHPS ’ s headquarters , located inside an old Erie Train Station . GRHPS ’ s displays are changed periodically while there are permanent exhibits featuring the Erie Railroad and artifacts from Glen Rock ’ s farming history . Some past exhibits , on loan from local collectors , featured an extensive display of vintage toys and bicycles , as well as an original Civil War document . These items allow the GRHPS to present materials from outside its collection without requiring the owner to donate their items .
While the GRHPS designs displays with the goal of appealing to visitors of all ages , there isanextra effort to reach the borough ’ s youngest residents .
Forexample , aTelephone Exhibit in 2016 that featured several old models was aparticular hit with youngsters . >
COURTESY OF GLEN ROCK HISTORICAL & PRESERVATION SOCIETY