West Chester and Chester County, Pa.

Front cover of a menu for a birthday dinner in honor of George Washington, State Normal School, West Chester, Pa., February 22, 1907. See below for the inside pages and back cover .

Inside pages of a menu for a birthday dinner in honor of George Washington, State Normal School, West Chester, Pa., February 22, 1907. See also the front cover and back cover of this menu.

Back cover of a menu for a birthday dinner in honor of George Washington, State Normal School, West Chester, Pa., February 22, 1907. See also the front cover and inside pages of this menu.

"Lyndhurst Electric Farm, Geo. J. Hoopes, owner." The Lyndhurst Electric Farm was located along the Lincoln Highway in Caln Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, somewhere between the towns of Coatesville and Downingtown. The "Electric Farm" name came about in an obvious way sometime in the early twentieth century: "Township manager Sam Moore, a lifelong resident, remembers the excitement when one farm had its barn wired for electricity. Local residents immediately christened it 'The Electric Farm'" (see Jeff Gammage, " Caln Highway: Extension of History's Path ," philly.com, Nov. 1, 1987). Brian Butko, in his book, The Lincoln Highway: Pennsylvania Traveler's Guide , 2nd ed. (Stackpole Books, 2002), p. 76, mentions that "Lyndhurst was a farm and tourist home operated by George J. Hoopes," but I haven't been able to uncover any additional information regarding the Lyndhurst Electric Farm or its owner.

"Job-Printing, Surveying, Conveyancing, &c., attended to by Jesse I. Dauman, notary public, Waynesburg, Chester Co., Pa." A nineteenth-century sign that dates to the 1870s or 1880s and lists all the services that Jesse I. Dauman could provide. Dauman also published a local newspaper, as mentioned in the History of Chester County, Pennsylvania (1881) (via Google Books): "The Honeybrook Graphic , a weekly paper, was established at Honeybrook (formerly Waynesburg), Feb 15, 1879, by J. Henry Long, and conducted by him until August 8th of the same year, when he disposed of it to Jesse I. Dauman, who has since then been editor and proprietor. Mr Dauman has had a job printing-office at Honeybrook since April, 1869."

"Am holding my own in Honey Brook, so don't worry, and leave it to me."

Church groups and other organizations used variations of this poem to invite members to "Birthday Party" gatherings that were both social get-togethers and fundraising events. See additional examples from 1896 and 1912 (below). The Mite Society will give a Birthday Party, Thursday evening, Sept. 15th, 1910, in the Nantmeal M. E. Church, Rev. J. S Tomlinson, pastor. This birthday party Is given to you; We hope you will come, And propose if you do, An agreeable time. Some good things to eat And besides many others A musical treat. As we could not secure The number of candles To let your light shine, We send this fandangle; Put safely within it As many round pennies As years you are old. Your light will be bright. If you send it or bring it. While we will keep dark, If you wish, what's within it. The Mite Society With greetings most hearty, Feel sure you will come To your own birthday party.

Who wouldn't want a sweeper for Christmas! The women depicted in this Victorian-era advertising trade card certainly seem pleased with their new Goshen sweeper and other gifts! "A Christmas gift, made by Goshen Sweeper Co., Grand Rapids, Mich. A Merry Xmas. Gies & Co., Buffalo, N.Y." Printed on the back of this advertising trade card: Our carpet sweeper is strongly made, does not easily get out of order, and lasts for years even with constant use. Sweeps easily and cleanly, backward and forward, with less wear and tear to the carpet than any other sweeper (brooms are death to carpets); goes farther into the corners, too. Doesn't spill dirt, and when you are ready it empties itself--almost, it is so simple. "The Rapid" is one name for it--all the same, it's a Goshen Sweeper; made for us. And just that is why it is better than any other. The Mowrey Latshaw Hdw. Co, Spring City, Pa. "It takes the dirt." Note: The Mowrey Latshaw Hardware Company, also known as Latshaw's Hardware, opened in 1875 and is still in business in Spring City, Pa., today, according to its Facebook page .

"Heed youth's call--vote as you think but vote! November 6, 1956. Use your freedom to vote. Boys Scouts of America. Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge." The printed text on the other side of this doorknob hanger includes the title "The American Way of Life," a list of "political and economic rights which protect the dignity and freedom of the individual," and another reminder to "Keep your freedom—vote!" According to "Boy Scouts to Leave Vote Pleas at 35,000,000 Homes," an article in the Gettysburg Times (Gettysburg, Pa.), Oct. 25, 1956, p. 1, Scouts planned to distribute 35 million Liberty Bell hangers prior to the presidential election on November 6: "The nation's 4,175,134 Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Explorers, and adult leaders will climax their nationwide Get-Out-the-Vote campaign beginning Saturday, November 3. On that day and on Monday, November 5, they will call on a total of 35,000,000 homes and leave on front doorknobs a Liberty Bell hanger urging citizens to vote. "They have been conducting a nonpartisan campaign, without reference to any candidate or party. It has been sponsored jointly with Freedom Foundations, Inc., of Valley Forge." After all the votes were tallied on November 6, it turned out that incumbent Republican President Dwight D. Eisenhower had won re-election and defeated his Democratic opponent Adlai Stevenson.

A shoat is simply a "young, newly-weaned pig." "Public Sale of 125 Shoats. On Tuesday, February 12, 1889. will be sold at public sale, at Irwin's Hotel, Ironville, West Hempfield Township, the following, to wit: 125 Chester County shoats, weighing from 40 to 140 lbs. A few breeding sows. Stock can be seen three days before sale. A credit of 90 days will be given. Sale to commence at 1 o'clock, when terms will be made known by A. H. Hershey. Isaac Hieneman, auct. H. L. Bard, clerk. (Please distribute among your friends.) The New Era Steam Job Printing House, No. 3 South Queen St., Lancaster, Pa."