Rutledge Ad Hoc Historic Committee 2026.03.18

3/18/26 Meeting

Call to order:
- The Rutledge Ad Hoc Historical Committee was called to order at 6:37 on 3/18/26 at 212 Unity Terrace, Rutledge, PA 19070 (Rutledge’s Lower Hall).
Roll call:
- Committee Members:
  - Andrew Marques
  - Robert Morbeck – excused
  - Valerie Marlow
  - Alan McPherson
  - Roxanne Ward
- Residents:
  - Chris Gradel
Reading and approval of minutes:
- Minutes for 2/28/26
  - First: Valerie
  - Second: Alan McPherson
  - Vote: unanimous
Project Updates:
- Upcoming event 5/1/26: Delaware County Historical Committee Lecture 7-8:30pm in the upper borough hall.
  - Food, drinks, decorations, flyers
  - Happy Hour from Activities Committee precedes this 4:30-7:30pm
- Updates on archiving process:
  - Dan Delvisio and Valerie Marlow
  - Deed of gift
    - This is how we handle materials when we receive it
  - Collection development policy
    - Living document
    - This can change over time
  - Discussion
    - Discussion 1: would it be possible where someone could donate something but only on a loan?
      - These have a lot of risk associated with it for the donor and the borough
      - We will focus on the deed of gift for gifts
      - There are other ways to discuss loan agreement
      - We can do a one off waiver
      - This is more about what we can do with it and less of a guarantee of how the condition will be.
    - Discussion 2: More of a long term question if historians would like to work with the Archive?
      - We would be working toward formalizing our stuff.
      - Citation and attribution information
      - Deed of gift for how this is credited and working through this now
    - Discussion 3: Swarthmore has a location in the college where they have the collection but for the temporary holding then maybe Ridley has space.
      - We should look first at borough owned and maintained locations.
      - Memorandum of understanding we could partner with other groups to house stuff.
      - We should start as close to home as possible.
    - Discussion 4: if people know that we are doing things like this then they would maybe be more likely to share information with us.
    - Discussion 5: What to preserve for the future – images of crime scenes or sensitive moments for people. Should this be saved? We should discuss this.
    - Discussion 6: The future of the archives should be spelled out for how materials are handled if there is no council. We should vote on this in the future but one proposal by Andrew: (1) historical committee, (2) volunteer historian, (3) Borough Council appointed position, (4) Borough Council President or Mayor
- Newsletter from Historic Committee
  - Proposed dimensions:
    - Half sheet with front and back – we might need more than half sheet could be the full sheet.
    - To be delivered week of June 8th (?)
  - Newsletter topics
    - Committee Meeting
    - t-shirt content
    - Antiques Roadshow
    - Rutledge Oral History
    - Explore the Archive
    - Include the link to get the newsletter
  - Discussion:
    - Newsletter could we piggyback off the last one
    - Use colored paper insert for the borough
    - Should feature some cool item for the borough newspaper
  - Volunteer
    - Writing: Roxanne and Andrew
    - Distribution if not mailed:
      - Roxanne’s daughter
      - Valerie
      - Caitlyn and Andrew
      - Chris
- Review of Finances
  - All charitable donations have been delivered to the Borough for management.
  - Reimbursements must be done through the borough.
- Review of events leading up to semiquincentennial
  - 6/20/2026 Saturday (10-12pm):
    - Happy Hour
    - Debut Rutledge Antiques Roadshow
  - 6/26/2026 Friday 6-8pm borough hall downstairs:
    - Another Happy Hour
    - American History Trivia – Mike is interested in this
    - Live Music at the Borough Hall?
  - 6/29/2026 Monday:
    - Art Contest Activity: Make art and post it in your home’s window or in your front yard. Recommended to leave up through 7/4/26.
    - We could have red white and blue chalk
    - Competition:
      - Silliest Goose
      - Largest surface area
      - Most historically accurate
  - 7/2/2026 Thursday:
    - Craft activity
      - Roxanne contacted the girl scouts about doing something for this
  - 7/3/2026 Friday:
    - Scavenger hunt – US History. You may receive a donut prize if you find everything.
    - Components proposed by Christine Gradel
    - Prize: Pretzel
      - Should we consider something more substantial?
      - First 10 people to complete it:
        
        Limited Historical Committee Gift Bag
        
        Shirts, hats, patches, 3D printed items, glow stick
  - 7/4/2026 Saturday:
    - Usual Rutledge festivities led by Activities Committee with a table or booth to represent Rutledge History?
    - Parade costume contest for historical significance.
New business:
Announcements:
- Please follow https://www.america250padelco.org/events for other events in our area. They helped advertise our event and supplied video documentation of the flag raising.
  - Rebels, Tories, and Neutrals: Round Table Discussion by Period Reenactors 03/19/2026 06:00 PM Middletown Free Library, 464 South Old Middletown Road, Media, PA, USA Who favored Revolution, and who favored the King? Who wanted to stay out of it? What were Americans saying and thinking during the Revolution? Join us for this historical discussion.
  - John Morton of Ridley Township: Delco’s Signer of the Declaration of Independence – America250 Lecture Series Spring 2026 04/09/2026 06:00 PM Middletown Free Library, 464 South Old Middletown Road, Media, PA, USA John Morton of Ridley Township—one of Delaware County’s own—was among the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776, risking his life in an act considered treason by the British Crown. Though often remembered as a political moderate, Morton ultimately cast a decisive vote for independence that helped change the course of history. Join local historian John E. “Jay” Smith III for a presentation exploring the life, career, and legacy of this often-overlooked Founding Father
- Our next meeting will be 4/15/26 at 6:30pm in lower borough hall.
Adjournment:
- The meeting adjourned at 7:33 3/18/26