November 30, 2006 Issue                                       

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©2006 The Chestnut Hill Local

‘Preservation Potpourri’ Saturday raises funds for Historical Society
by SUSAN CRANE

Instrumental organizers of the first Preservation Potpourri in 1984 at Disston House were, from left, Gretchen Eggleston, Robert Hubby (then president of the Chestnut Hill Historical Society), Shirley Hanson, Kathryn Buzby and Mrs.Virgina Wilmsen (Richard Snowden’s grandmother and a great supporter of CHHS).

From its humble beginning in 1984, this year’s Chestnut Hill Historical Society’s 23rd Annual Preservation Potpourri will take place on Saturday, Dec. 2, 7 p.m., at Guildford, the glorious Wharton Sinkler estate in Wyndmoor.

In 1984, Chestnut Hill Historical Society board member, Richard Snowden, recognized the need for an event that would raise funds the organization could rely on, year after year. Previously, the society had raised monies for building projects or programs through one-time events and fundraising campaigns.

Along with Gretchen Eggleston, Richard Snowden chaired the first Preservation Potpourri. The name came out of a brainstorming session between Alice Lea Tasman and Shirley Hanson. Members and friends were invited to an evening of light supper and dancing at a historic property, the Disston House at 8840 Norwood Ave.

The supper ended up being so “light” that guests had to go out for pizza afterwards, a far cry from the sumptuous feast that one can expect from Peachtree & Ward Caterers at this year’s Potpourri. The Disston House, though large and historic, was not the polished setting Preservation Potpourri is now known for. In fact, in a unique effort to save the residence from demolition, the Historical Society “purchased” the Disston House for a dollar for 10 years from its owner, Chestnut Hill Hospital. The Historical Society’s role was to find tenants who would pay only $50 a month in rent. The tenants did have an additional obligation, though, which was to make the house habitable.

Although the tenants agreed to open their home for the Potpourri event, it turned out that these tenants had moved out and were subletting sections of the house to other individuals. Therefore, guests to the first Preservation Potpourri were not surrounded by an elegant setting but, instead, by little more than the bones of a fine, historic building.

Despite all obstacles, about 50 patrons and many more guests responded generously to the invitation to enjoy the first Potpourri. Gretchen Eggleston remembers the event as a lively evening of “laughter and dancing.” It was successful enough to prompt the historical society to try again in 1985. This time Gretchen and Richard added experienced hands, Grace Stewart and Lisa Howe, as chairs of the event.

The 1985 invitation promised cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and a buffet dinner with dancing to the music of Romig, Carney & Lewis. Prizes were awarded for the most spectacular gentleman’s and lady’s turn-of-the-century hat.

In 1987, Preservation Potpourri celebrated the historical society’s 20th anniversary and its purchase of 8708 Germantown Ave. for headquarters. Nancy Williams and Betsy Lukens chaired the event at the home of Mary Sue and Dick Welsh and introduced a silent auction to raise additional funds.

Ann Kelly and Jane Good along with the Young Preservationists invigorated the event in 1994 by adding smaller, less costly dinner parties for the under-40 crowd. Eight couples hosted dinner for up to 50 people with local merchants donating food. At 9:30, the young joined the no-longer-young — who were having dinner at the residence of Peggy and Richard Greenawalt on St. Martins Lane. Everyone came together for dessert and dancing in a large tent. About 600 Chestnut Hillers attended that year.

This year, Preservation Potpourri co-chairs, Annamarie Hellebusch and Schuy Wood, believe that the party will exceed all expectations. Their committee has been working hard for the past six months to create a festive atmosphere even more exciting than at past celebrations. Guests will relish the opportunity to enjoy the elegant Guildford, the Wharton Sinkler Estate, as they gather to support the historical society’s efforts to preserve and nurture the historical, physical and cultural resources of Chestnut Hill.

Gretchen Eggleston Ingersall, one of the first chairs of Preservation Potpourri, recently moved back to Chestnut Hill. She looks forward to reminiscing about the first ‘wobbly’ Potpourri event and meeting new supporters of the historical society at the Dec. 2 Preservation Potpourri’s “Night to Remember.”

For information about tickets to Preservation Potpourri, contact Audrey Simpson at the Chestnut Hill Historical Society, 215-247-0417, or info@chhist.org.