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The actual beginnings of the plan to build the hospital, which had long been a desire of Dr. George S. Gerhard, an Ardmore physician, took shape at a tea party hosted by Mr. Rodman Griscom of Merion Square.
After some initial fund raising, they then applied for a charter in January of 1892. It was duly accepted and incorporated two months later.
Bryn Mawr Site. Next, from the initial contributions, was the purchase of a two acre lot on the corner of Bryn Mawr Avenue and County Line Road from C. Warner Arthur for $7,900. This location was chosen because Bryn Mawr was a favorite town for people from the city to visit in the summer. The Bryn Mawr Hotel, the Summit Grove Hotel, the Buck Tavern and the Whitehall Hotel were some of the best known establishments in the area.
The generosity of the members of the community was exceptional and the actual construction of the hospital was oversubscribed. It must be noted, in addition to cash gifts, many generously donated various hospital supplies to outfit their new institution.
Photo c. 1900 of the first Bryn Mawr Hospital, established in 1893, designed by Frank Furness.
A Furness Classic. The new building, designed by Frank Furness, was ultra-modern with an elevator and electric lights. Henry Frorer’s construction firm used native gray stone in the construction of this important addition to the Main Line. When the hospital opened, Dr. George S. Gerhard and Dr. Robert C. Gamble were in charge of the public’s needs. In 1905, a medical laboratory was installed and a school of nursing opened.
Today, the Gerhard Building, the first Main Line hospital for the general public, stands surrounded by new and larger buildings that make up the Bryn Mawr Hospital complex with its multitude of up-to-date medical services.
Rare 1890s photo of a horse-drawn ambulance.
Motorized ambulance, c. 1909.
1920s view of a ward in the Bryn Mawr Hospital.
1947 rendering of the Bryn Mawr Hospital complex.
c. 1980 view of the Lankenau Hospital compex.
In the mid 19th century, the economic and political turbulence in Germany which followed the Napoleonic Wars prompted a flood of German migration to Philadelphia. Many of the immigrants arrived ill, penniless, speaking no English. The German Hospital of the City of Philadelphia was chartered in 1860 to provide a place where the German speaking populace could be treated by persons speaking their own language.
Deaconesses from Germany. Also imported from Germany, in 1884, was a band of seven Lutheran deaconesses to take charge of the hospital’s household and nursing service. Trained at Kaiserswerth (where Florence Nightingale also received her training) the deaconesses soon earned for the hospital a reputation for superior nursing care.
Philadelphia Sites. The first home of the hospital was a converted residence at 20th and Norris Streets. In 1872, it was moved to its second location at Girard and Corinthian Avenues. By the turn of the century the hospital occupied an entire city block. The name changed in 1917 to honor John D. Lankenau, a German-born Philadelphia merchant, President of the Board for 27 years and a longtime benefactor.
Move to Lower Merion. By the mid 20th century, the hospital plant was aging; it was necessary to rebuild or relocate. Relocation was the choice; the 93 acre Overbrook Golf Club was chosen as the site. In 1953, the hospital moved to Lower Merion and into handsome new buildings which won a first place award in architecture for the designer, Vincent Kling.
Lankenau today is first among its peers in patient care, education and research.
John D. Lankenau in an 1889 photograph.
Science lab, c. 1950.
Sister Amelia Schaeffer, head of the Nursing School, consults with Ada Mutch, Director of Nursing Services.
Nurses congregate at the new building, mid 1950s.
The Col. Owen Jones Fife and Drum Corps, Bryn Mawr, c. 1903.
Suburban police and fire protection have always been led by the concern and kindness of local volunteers. Herewith, a charming collage of photographs from the Society’s collection that seem to show their spirit and camaraderie years ago.
Lower Merion’s police force, established in 1900, wore Spanish war hats and uniforms. They got around on bicycles and on horseback. Photo c. 1904.
In 1901, space was leased from the Merion Fire Company for a lockup in the rear. of their Lancaster Avenue firehouse. The escape, in 1904, of a prisoner led to a scandal that involved their police chief.
A big parade, winding through Lower Merion, was held on June 1890 to demonstrate the emergence of the Merion Fire Company. This 1905 photo shows their headquarters in Ardmore.
The Lower Merion Township Pumping Station, c. 1905, located in Ardmore at Lippincott and County Line Avenues.
The volunteer Merion Fire Company of Ardmore poses for a photographer c. 1907.
The Lower Merion Police, Department, c. 1910, gets wheels!
1914 photo demonstrates the company’s Simplex Machine.
The Merion Fire Company relaxes on July 4, 1916.
The Merion Fire Company parades in 1915.
The Township Police Force with autos, 1926.
The first all-Eagle Scout Patrol in America, led by W. Lawrence Saunders II, standing at center, in October 1914. Flanked by, from left: Alexander H. Holcomb, Jr., Joseph H. Keefe, John Winters, John Rinkenback; seated: Isaac Kershaw,Jr., Harry Ingram, Harry Pierriera.
Citizenship Through the Years. Troop Bala One has a long and glorious tradition in both the Boy Scout movement and the Lower Merion community. In 1907, General Robert Baden-Powell, an English Army officer, took a group of lads to Brownsea Island, England. This was the first Boy Scout Camp. In 1908, he wrote a book called Scouting for Boys which had an international, instantaneous impact. Troops and patrols sprung up in England and, shortly thereafter, in Europe.
An Unofficial First. The Boy Scout movement was slower to transition to the United States, except in the tiny town of Bala, Pennsylvania. Here, in 1908, a group of community leaders, headed by insurance executive Frank Sykes, organized America’s first group of boys under the principles of scouting as set forth in Baden-Powell’s book. Troop Bala One thus became the first unofficial Boy Scout troop in the U.S.
The national umbrella organization, The Boy Scouts of America, was officially organized in February 1910. The following year, Troop Bala One was officially inducted with the alternate name of Troop 16. At that time, President William H. Taft was Honorary President of the Boy Scouts of America and former President Theodore Roosevelt was Honorary VP.
Troop Bala One scout camp scenes; formation, c. 1912.
First Aid training, c. 1930s.
The Saunders Initiative. In 1914, a young man by the name of W. Lawrence Saunders II, became Scoutmaster and raised himself and seven other members of the Troop to the rank of Eagle Scout. Troop Bala One dominated all regional scout competitions in Cobbs Creek Park and was the first in the United States to be awarded the prestigious honor of "Bucktail Troop."
Mr. Saunders is now remembered as the dedicator of the beautiful Saunders Woods, a Lower Merion park in Gladwyne which is used to this day for Cub Scout and Boy Scout camping.
The Early Years. During World War I, troop activities became limited as both older scouts and leaders were called to serve their country. During the Depression, the troop endured although camping trips had to be limited because of lack of equipment. During World War II, Troop Bala One was continually involved in projects and services to aid the troops overseas and their families at home.
Continuing Activities. Troop Bala One still maintains an active schedule of camping, canoeing, backpacking and educational outings. The troop still carries the torch, lit by Baden-Powell and followed by the early local leaders, to promote personal growth, leadership, fun, safety and self-reliance in outdoor settings.
The Beginnings. Education expanded beyond the walls of the Lower Merion Academy into the community when, in 1842, the Trustees established the Lower Merion Library Company which resided in the third floor Committee or Library Room.
In 1876, the entire collection of 1,400 volumes was relocated to the Union Sunday School building.
With the construction of the Cynwyd Elementary School in 1914, students transferred from the Academy into their new building. The Union Sunday School was removed, leaving the library without a home. The entire collection is now with the Lower Merion Historical Society.
Libraries Today. There are six community-based libraries which service the Lower Merion Library System. Their histories parallel the social customs of an era in which women’s clubs and volunteerism figured prominently in the promotion of library endeavors.
Ardmore Free Library. Pictured in this 1910 photo was the second home which was located in the YMCA building on Lancaster Pike. Ardmore Free Library now resides on Ardmore Avenue.
Bala Cynwyd Library’s early home was in the Union Fire House. After 47 years at their next home on Levering Mill Road, the library relocated to Old Lancaster Road in 1974, where it continues to serve the community.
Ludington Library.1927 photo, when it was dedicated by Charles H. Ludington to the memory of his wife, Ethel Saltus Ludington.
Penn Wynne Library. It’s first home was on the corner of Henley and Manoa Roads from 1929 to 1949; it then moved to its present location on Overbrook Parkway.
Gladwyne Free Library. Early interior view; note basketball markings on the floor. The chest in the right foreground housed the children’s collection.
Belmont Hills Library. Its forerunner was the Bird Library, located on Ashland Avenue from 1941 to 1969, when the library was moved to Mary Watersford Road.
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