Fall 2012 - Pennsylvania Questers

News from The International Convention 2012, Baltimore, Maryland
Submitted by Nancy Scharff and Dot Barlow, Convention Chairs
Contributing Reporter: Mary Jane Woll, Marquis #1461. (Thank you, Mary Jane)
Baltimore Marriott Waterfront Hotel was the place, and Maryland
“America In Miniature” was the theme of this 62 nd International
Questers Convention. The Baltimore Harbor area takes on a
unique feel and experience with its many attractions, restaurants,
museums, and hotels. We loved the location. Strolling along the
harbor-front and meeting fellow Questers along the way, or just
sitting on a bench overlooking the harbor, was sheer delight. Our
days started and ended on the bright side.
Visiting the Inner
Harbor area, Fell’s
Point and Fort McHenry
by water taxi was
not only convenient,
but lots of fun. During
our history, Fort
McHenry in the War
of 1812, successfully
defended Baltimore
Harbor from an at-
tack by the British
Navy. We walked into
the fort and watched
with joy and pride as
A Big Thank You to These Quester Chapters who Donated Baskets that were Raffled Off at
the 2012 Spring Conference
Contributed by Viki Turner, Freedom Valley#395
• Ann’s Choice #1479
• Blue Bell #82
• Brittany Belles #1405
• Brown’s Folly #1373
• Byers Choice
• Como #81
• Country Collectors #1024
• Damian House #754
• Dark Valley #222
• Duffryn Mawr #184
• Fairwold #1316
• Featherbed Hill #501
• Fonthill #254
• Franklin Rockers #1458
• Freedom Valley #395
• Gaudy Dutch #270
4 Fall 2012
School children rolling up a huge flag at Fort
McHenry”
school children in the center parade ground were rolling up a huge
American Flag. A ranger directed them in the correct procedure
and reminded them that Francis Scott Key had witnessed the battle
there and then wrote “The Star-Spangled Banner” which became
our National Anthem in 1931.
Spending time in the Fort, touring the enlisted men’s barracks,
and Jr. Officers and Commanding Officers Quarters, was very interesting.
In the Flag gallery, there is a silver punch bowl, a replica
of a gift made to Major George Armistead by the appreciative
citizens of Baltimore. This replica was a gift from the Maryland
State Questers.
Our visit in the Fort’s Visitors Center was highlighted by a very
informative movie about the battle and our flag, and singing our National
Anthem with all the other visitors. A special time and memory!
• Glen-Wynne #331
• Gwynedd #1464
• Hague’s Mill #11
• Heritage #1
• Hope Lodge #408
• John Craig’s Tavern #1390
• Keysone Gleaners #1232
• King’s Path #436
• Kit-Han-Ne #408
• Lamplighter #117
• Lingohocken #495
• Livezey #21
• Lydia Darragh #156
• Marquis #1461
• Mayflower #278
• Mercer Mile #854
• Militia Hill #5
• Moland House #1423
• Museum Pieces #1413
• Myrtilla #355
There were many varied tours…
Edgar Allan Poe gave us a surprise visit while we were on a tour
of the catacombs of Westminster Church and his grave site. Poe,
portrayed by David Keltz, did a superb reading of his most popular
poem “The Raven,” which tells the story of a man who gets a
late-night visit from a mysterious bird that speaks only one word:
“Nevermore.” Not a
simple story! We enjoyed
seeing other
Poe Collections at the
Enoch Pratt Library.
Ab out an
hour from Baltimore
is the Riversdale
Mansion, a National
Historic Landmark.
This stucco-covered
brick plantation,
which the Mary-
Poe’s favorite “watering hole”
• Neshamini Creekers #1460
• Norriton #396
• Paoli Local #1401
• Peaceable Kingdom #144
• Penn Marydel #896
• Penn’s New Towne #500
• Pennypack #1386
• Perkiomendahl #719
• Pilgrim #237
• Potpourris #884
• Quaker City #1300
• Red Rose #1470
• Rittenhouse #252
• Round Meadow Run #126
• Sally Wister #95
• Salt Cellar #329
• Spring Hill #908
• Spring House #27
• Stenton #52
• Sullivan Trail #1138
land State Questers
adopted as a State
Preservation and
Restoration project, was built between 1801 and 1807. Our docent
gave us an in-depth tour and the history of the woman, Rosalie
Calvert, whose home it was during the Battle of Baltimore. A
book, Mistress of Riversdale: The Plantation Letters of Rosalie Stier
Calvert, was the source for the restoration of the house. When
Rosalie’s parents, the Henri Joseph Stier’s of Antwerp, returned to
Europe, Rosalie and her husband, George, moved into Riversdale
and completed its building. There, Rosalie bore nine children, five
who lived to maturity. She died at the age of 42 in 1821.
A program entitled the “Mistress of Riversdale” with Mary Ann
Jung portraying Rosalie was presented at the Questers annual
luncheon. This informative and amusing presentation, with male
audience participation, put a human touch to this lady and the
life she lived.
continued on page 5
• Sunnyside #17
• Unami Creek #100
• Valley Forge #53
• Walking Purchase #330
• Washington’s Crossing #1487
• Weldon House #212
• West Brandywine #1391
• Whimsies #476
• Willow Springs #549
• Wyola Schoolhouse #538
• Ye Olde Almshouse #466
Donations in lieu of baskets:
Conestoga, Bayberry, Queen
Anne’s Lace, Horseshoe Trail,
Spoke and Handle, Tedyuscung
and Canassateago at $50.00
each, Quaker Bonnet at $60.00
and Steeplechase at $100.00.
Total receipts were $3,734.00.