06/23/2021
“Pieces From The Past” – Featuring The New Holland Area Historical Society
(Shopping News Photo by Donald Reese)
“Pieces From The Past” continues this week, featuring the New Holland Area Historical Society. In this weekly article, Shopping News readers will learn about local items housed in local museums and historical societies.
The New Holland Band has had an important part in the history of the New Holland community. Regular concerts in the Community Memorial Park and the surrounding area plus the annual Memorial Day pilgrimage to thirteen area cemeteries are on ongoing part of the band’s activities. Many residents may remember the band’s trip in 1974 to France to celebrate our relationship with our twin city Longvic. Some may remember the band’s vital role in the community during World War II. The band, then known as the Victory Band, remained active in the area during the war even as many members left to put on a uniform to defend their country. But few may know that the New Holland Band, which dates back to 1829, entered the Civil War as a group to serve their country. Eleven men from the band, then known as the Earl Infantry Band, enlisted on September 2, 1864, and were joined by nine others from surrounding counties to form the regimental band of the 203rd Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. The band was led by New Holland resident Isaac Witwer, saw action in Virginia and North Carolina, and was mustered out of service in June 1865 at the conclusion of the war. Several band items from that era are on display at the New Holland Area Historical Society Museum including a rotary valve tuba, which had been painted black, possibly to decrease its visibility, and a wooden keyed piccolo. A detailed photograph of Earl Mentzer, one of the eleven New Holland musicians who enlisted, shows him holding his circular cornet and wearing his fine regimental uniform. Additional items from the band are on display so a visit is encouraged.
The New Holland Area Historical Society Museum is located on the second floor of the Kauffman Building, 207 East Main Street, New Holland. Because of improving conditions with the Coronavirus pandemic, the Museum is pleased to announce that it is now open on Thursdays and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. If conditions change with the pandemic, the Museum will announce opening changes on their website (www.nhhistorical.com). Masks will be required, as will social distancing of six feet minimum between people. For more information, call 717-538-3079.
“Pieces From The Past” – Featuring The New Holland Area Historical Society
(Shopping News Photo by Donald Reese)
“Pieces From The Past” continues this week, featuring the New Holland Area Historical Society. In this weekly article, Shopping News readers will learn about local items housed in local museums and historical societies.
The New Holland Band has had an important part in the history of the New Holland community. Regular concerts in the Community Memorial Park and the surrounding area plus the annual Memorial Day pilgrimage to thirteen area cemeteries are on ongoing part of the band’s activities. Many residents may remember the band’s trip in 1974 to France to celebrate our relationship with our twin city Longvic. Some may remember the band’s vital role in the community during World War II. The band, then known as the Victory Band, remained active in the area during the war even as many members left to put on a uniform to defend their country. But few may know that the New Holland Band, which dates back to 1829, entered the Civil War as a group to serve their country. Eleven men from the band, then known as the Earl Infantry Band, enlisted on September 2, 1864, and were joined by nine others from surrounding counties to form the regimental band of the 203rd Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. The band was led by New Holland resident Isaac Witwer, saw action in Virginia and North Carolina, and was mustered out of service in June 1865 at the conclusion of the war. Several band items from that era are on display at the New Holland Area Historical Society Museum including a rotary valve tuba, which had been painted black, possibly to decrease its visibility, and a wooden keyed piccolo. A detailed photograph of Earl Mentzer, one of the eleven New Holland musicians who enlisted, shows him holding his circular cornet and wearing his fine regimental uniform. Additional items from the band are on display so a visit is encouraged.
The New Holland Area Historical Society Museum is located on the second floor of the Kauffman Building, 207 East Main Street, New Holland. Because of improving conditions with the Coronavirus pandemic, the Museum is pleased to announce that it is now open on Thursdays and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. If conditions change with the pandemic, the Museum will announce opening changes on their website (www.nhhistorical.com). Masks will be required, as will social distancing of six feet minimum between people. For more information, call 717-538-3079.
