Enjoy!
Happy New Year
from Radnor Memorial Library
The Main Line’s colonial history began with Lenape lands and William Penn’s 1681 grant to Welsh Quakers, leading to Welsh place names.
William Penn’s Treaty with the Lenape
In 1682, William Penn entered into purchase agreements with the Lenape that brought lands deeded to his proprietorship under his absolute title.
Season’s Greetings!
On the eve of 2026
The United States Semiquincentennial
prepare to “go colonial” !
Goodnight, garden.
Clarissa put the kitchen garden to bed in early December–not long after the first killing frost. It was around Halloween when Clarissa (fearless housewife) “trundled” her basket of roots down the narrow cellar steps, laying them neatly in a corner…on a cold dirt floor.
Then one day, Clarissa announced that she would, indeed, be cooking a seasonal meal at 1696 Thomas Massey House in December.
With the holidays approaching, the housewife hinted about the dinner menu — said she would be shopping for lamb. Potatoes, carrots, onions, and turnips would again see the light of day when the housewife would bring them up from the cellar for the farmhouse dinner.
In 1683, setting sail on the ketch Endeavor from Liverpool, England, Thomas Massey, age 20, landed in Chester, Pennsylvania Colony, as an indentured servant to Frances Stanfield. Also on the ship was a young girl named Phebe Taylor.
After working off his indenture and receiving his own land, Thomas married Phebe Taylor. He was 29 and she was 22.
They built a house and then one by one, 7 children were born to them.
With quite a large family to feed, Phebe would have spent a lot of time in the kitchen. And her daughters would have learned to cook very early on.
On this beautiful day, Clarissa would be cooking a hearty meal for us on the open hearth — one that Phebe Massey might have served her family in the 1700s.
We wish you a happy and healthy holiday!
Posted in One Cool Colonial | Tags: 1696 Thomas Massey House, 18th century housewifery, 18th-century cooking, 18th-century gardening, Clarissa F. Dillon, Historic Houses of Delaware County, Marc d'Entremont, One Cool Colonial, Pennsylvania Quaker History, Phebe Massey, Quakers in Pennsylvania, Rich Paul, Thomas Massey
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Posted in Yoga Class | Tags: Carole McKeon, Verge Yoga
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Documentary Film Screening:
My Mother’s War: A Holocaust Survivor’s Tribute to An Extraordinary Woman
Tuesday, 12/16/25
6:30pm-8:30pm
Winsor Room
Michael Fryd humanizes the Holocaust through his memoir, My Mother’s War, telling the gripping story about his mother Evelyn, an indomitable woman who saved her family from the Nazis.
Several films have been released this year to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII and liberation of the death camps. Recently, award-winning local, documentary filmmakers Jill Mernick Frechie and John Ricciutti filmed Michael Fryd, who delivers a most heartfelt telling of his family’s survival. After an award-winning career as a scientist, Fryd returned to his early passion, writing. The author will attend the film screening and his book will be available for purchase.
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Posted in Authors, Films | Tags: Jill Mernick Frechie, John Ricciutti, Michael Fryd, My Mother's War
Larger than life in the Winsor Room and it’s FREE!
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Posted in Films
Banking on Your Future: Estate Planning for Bank Accounts
Wednesday, 12/10 6:30pm
Winsor Room
Sun Federal Credit Union’s Eric Slade will present valuable information to an account owner on how they can structure their bank accounts for maximum benefit to their descendants plus how the process works if you are a beneficiary or executor filing a death claim for a bank account.
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Posted in Lectures, Special Events! | Tags: Eric Slade, Sun Federal Credit Union
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Posted in Films
Tim McGrath, author of Three Roads to Gettysburg
Tuesday, 11/18 7:00pm
Winsor Room
In partnership with Radnor Historical Society and Main Point Books
An epic, revelatory account of the Battle of Gettysburg, where George Meade, Lincoln’s unexpected choice to lead the Union army, defeated Robert E. Lee and changed the course of the Civil War, from the award-winning author of James Monroe: A Life.
Tim McGrath is a two-time winner of the Commodore John Barry Book Award, as well as the author of the critically acclaimed biography John Barry: An American Hero in the Age of Sail.
Tim McGrath is a recipient of the Samuel Eliot Morison Award for Naval Literature.
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Posted in Authors, Book Talks, Lectures | Tags: Three Roads to Gettysburg, Tim McGrath
Navigating the Complexities of Aging with Confidence
Wednesday, 11/12/25
6:30pm-7:30pm
Winsor Room
Join Jill and Steve Marshall, Certified Senior Advisors and founders of Silver Path Consulting, for an interactive discussion on planning ahead with clarity and purpose.
Explore housing, legal and financial readiness, family communication, and maintaining connection, with emphasis on a holistic approach that shows how these elements work together.
Steve and Jill’s work has been featured on the Kelly Corrigan Wonders podcast.
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Posted in Special Events!, Workshops | Tags: Jill Marshall, Silver Path Consulting, Steve Marshall
Fashion In The Time Of Jane Austen
Presented by Candice Hearn
and Jane Austen Society of North America-Eastern Pennsylvania Region
Saturday, 11/8/25
2:00pm-3:00pm
Winsor Room
Celebrating the 250th anniversary of English author Jane Austen’s birth, JASNA-Eastern PA Region invites all to a presentation by NYT bestselling author Candice Hearn, writer of romances set during the English Regency Period. Using fashion prints from her collection, Candice will provide an overview of the types of clothing worn during the time of Jane Austen.
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Posted in Authors, Lectures, Special Events! | Tags: Candice Hearn, Jane Austen, JASNA
Elizabeth R. Hyman, author of The Girl Bandits of the Warsaw Ghetto: The True Story of Five Courageous Young Women Who Sparked an Uprising (2025)
Wednesday, 11/5/2025
7:00pm-8:30pm
Partnership Radnor Historical Society and Main Point Books
Holocaust historian and historian Elizabeth R. Hyman adds a new dimension to the story of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising during World War II, shining a long overdue spotlight on five, young, Polish Jewish women who helped lead the Jewish resistance, sabotage the Nazis, and aid Jews in hiding across occupied Poland and Eastern Europe. Hyman’s book rescues these women from the shadows of time, inspiring stories of courage, daring, and resistance that must never be forgotten.
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Posted in Authors, Book Talks, Lectures, Special Events! | Tags: Elizabeth R. Hyman, The Girl Bandits of the Warsaw Ghetto
Valerie Coleman, author of From Dragon’s Teeth to Eagle’s Nest
Monday, 10/27 6:30pm
Winsor Room
Partner, Radnor Historical Society
Join us for a talk with Valerie Coleman on the book, From Dragon’s Teeth to Eagle’s Nest: A WWII memoir of Stanley Kupi, 14th Armored Division “The Liberators”.
Valerie is the proud granddaughter of Stanley Kupi, PFC in the 14th Armored Division of WWII, famously known as “The Liberators”. Stanley left behind a remarkable legacy of rare photographs, artwork, and a candid WWII memoir that the family is now sharing with the world. With the help of experts from around the globe, Valerie has uncovered the historical significance of these photographs, which vividly depict the war through Stanley’s eyes.
As a skilled artist, Stanley also created v-mail postcards to his wife that are now proudly displayed at the Fort Chaffee Military Museum in Fort Smith, Arkansas- sharing space with iconic artifacts like Elvis Presley’s military haircut memorabilia. Join Valerie for an unforgettable journey through Stanley’s story, where she will recount his division’s efforts which resulted in the liberation of over 60 towns and villages, including the largest Nazi prison camp.
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Posted in Authors, Lectures, Special Events! | Tags: Fort Chaffee Military Museum, From Dragon's Teeth To Eagle's Nest, Stanley Kupi, Valerie Coleman
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The House on Chambers Road: A Ghost Story (2025)
C.J. McGroarty (author)
Tues. 10/7 6:30PM
Partner, Radnor Historical Society
Historical fiction; a story that features a grieving widow who moves into an old house in the Philadelphia suburbs and finds she isn’t alone. Libby, the widow, believes the visitor is most likely the former homeowner from the 18th century. McGroarty volunteers as a tour guide at Historic Waynesborough in Paoli, the home of Revolutionary War General Anthony Wayne. The reported paranormal activity there was an inspiration for writing this book.
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Posted in Authors, Special Events! | Tags: C.J. McGroarty, The House on Chambers Road
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McNamara at War (2025)
William Taubman and Philip Taubman (authors)
Sat. 9/27 2PM
Winsor Room
Partnership w/Main Point Books and Radnor Historical Society
Robert S. McNamara was widely considered to be one of the most brilliant men of his generation. He was an invaluable ally of Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson as U.S. secretary of defense, and he had a deeply moving relationship with Jackie Kennedy.
Books will be available for purchase.
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Posted in Authors, Lectures, Special Events! | Tags: McNamara At War, Philip Taubman, William Taubman
Imagining Philadelphia: The Stories of Our City Remembered and Reinvented
Thursday, September 25, 2025 7:00pm
Winsor Room
There is no registration. Just come!
In this illustrated 45-minute presentation, National Book Award finalist Beth Kephart will look back at stories inspired by our city—her memoir of the Schuylkill River (Flow), her novel recounting the spectacle of the 1876 Centennial (Dangerous Neighbors), her two years spent walking within the marvel of Chanticleer Garden (Ghosts in the Garden), her personal interactions with private and public corners of the city (Love: A Philadelphia Affair), and her novel inspired by her grandmother, who was sixteen years old in 1918 Philadelphia (Tomorrow Will Bring Sunday’s News: A Philadelphia Story).
Beth will close with some prompts to inspire others to write and share their own memories of their beloved homes.
Beth Kephart is the award-winning author of some 40 books in multiple genres, an award-winning teacher of memoir, an essayist, and a paper artist whose work will be on display at the Gryphon Cafe in Wayne from September 7 through October 4 and is for sale on her Bind Arts shop (Etsy).
Beth is the author of the bestseller Substack The Hush and the Howl.
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Posted in Artists, Authors, Lectures, Special Events!, Writer's Group | Tags: Beth Kephart, Flow: the Life and Times of Philadelphia's Schuylkill River, Imagining Philadelphia, Tomorrow Will Bring Sunday's News: A Philadelphia Story
Beyond This Place of Wrath and Tears (2025)
Jack Ford, author
Tues. 9/16/25 7PM
Winsor Room
Partnership w/Main Point Books and Radnor Historical Society
From award-winning journalist Jack Ford, a riveting and colorful dual timeline novel of Lee Carson, the heroic yet elusive female journalist who defied convention and danger to report from the front lines of WWII.
Beyond this Place of Wrath and Tears is inspired by the story of an incredible woman who has largely been forgotten by history, and who, like many women in WWII, broke barriers in wartime only to find that upon the return home, Lee Carson had to continue to fight for relevance in an entirely different way . . .
Lee Carson attended Smith College, Chicago, aged 14 and left, aged 16 to become a reporter for the Chicago Times. In 1940 she joined the International News Service, she was made a War correspondent in 1943.
Carson was dubbed by her colleagues as ‘the best looking’ female war correspondent, and reportedly used this to her advantage. Hubert Zemke recalled that she caused a stir when she visited the 56th Fighter Group sometime in the Spring of 1944. She supposedly talked a pilot into letting her aboard a bomber on D-Day, where she witnessed the bombing of Cherbourg, and became the only female War Correspondent to come close to the Normandy Invasion.
Lee Carson died in 1973 and is buried at Laurel Hill Cemetery.
Jack Ford is an Emmy and Peabody Award-winning journalist, author, college professor, award-winning documentary film producer, and former trial attorney. An original anchor at the launch of Court TV, he was the co-anchor of the Weekend Today Show, a substitute anchor for Nightly News and Meet the Press, and has worked as a correspondent for Good Morning America and ESPN. He has received two Emmy Awards, a Peabody Award, an American Radio and Television Award, a National Headliner Award, and the March of Dimes FDR Award. Jack Ford is a graduate of Yale University and the Fordham University School of Law.
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Posted in Authors, Book Talks, Lectures, Special Events! | Tags: Beyond This Place Of Wrath And Tears, Jack Ford
Join award-winning filmmaker Randall Nickerson for an exclusive screening of Ariel Phenomenon
Tuesday, September 9, 6pm
Winsor Room
In ARIEL PHENOMENON, filmmaker Randall Nickerson shares his decades-long passion for capturing a remarkable close encounter experienced by over sixty schoolchildren in Zimbabwe outside their schoolyard. Decades later, the incident remains vivid in the student’s memories. Join us for a thought-provoking screening of a film that aims to spark conversations and illuminate a topic that has long been shrouded in stigma and secrecy.
Randall Nickerson has been working in the film industry since 1987, first as a stage and film actor, before transitioning into cinematography, and ultimately into directing in 2001. Nickerson began his production company, “String Theory Films, LLC” in 2001 and formally incorporated it in early 2016.
After several short documentaries, Nickerson made the leap to his first feature-length film, Ariel Phenomenon. His team followed witness Emily Trim on a journey back to Zimbabwe as the storyline for the film. Then the team got to work weaving the film together, from hundreds and hundreds of hours of footage.
Nickerson and Main Line MUFON director Jennifer W. Stein will lead a Q&A following the screening. No registration required.
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Posted in Films, Special Events! | Tags: Ariel Phenomenon, Randall Nickerson
Thomas H. Keels, author of Philadelphia Graveyards and Cemeteries
Presented by Thomas H. Keels
Tuesday, 8/26 6:30pm
Winsor Room
Tom Keels refers to this talk as “Designing for the Dead: Art and Architecture in Philadelphia Cemeteries.” Keels explores how the birth of the rural cemetery in Philadelphia provided local designers such as John Notman, William Strickland, Alexander Milne Calder, Frank Furness and others with a novel outdoor laboratory where they could exhibit their works.
Books will be available for purchase.
This is the final talk in our summer series, Radnor’s Road to 250!
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Philadelphia 2026: In Pursuit Toward a More Perfect Union
Presented by local historian Jim Segrave-Daly (with Jennifer Beacom, partners/supporters of America250PADelco)
Tuesday, 8/19/25
If you want to be immersed in the living history of a 250-year pursuit toward a more perfect union, and if you believe in a brighter future fueled by passion and creativity, raise your hand.
America’s 250th anniversary isn’t just a party thrown for us, it’s a party thrown by us! Get involved, own your piece of history, and let’s show the world the power of Delco pride, united in spirit, history, and community!
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Posted in Lectures, Special Events! | Tags: Jim Segrave-Daly, The Finley House
RML welcomes back Steve Pollack, who has performed Sondheim tunes in the Winsor Room and also lectured on Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals and more. We are thrilled that singer-songwriter and recording artist, Hadar –will join Steve, singing the songs we all love in a wide-range of musical styles: pop, rock, jazz, and musical theater.
Drinks. Snacks.
Limited seating on the patio but you can always bring a sit-upon and take to the lawn…where it is cooler.
Either way, a very cool evening awaits!
Free admission!
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Posted in Musicians, Special Events! | Tags: Hadar, Steve Pollack
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Radnor’s Road to 250: Celebrating an American Milestone
Just a half year to go now before we hit the big 2-5-0 as a country, but since we do call ourselves Philly people, our hearts and minds are already in the right place. Please join Radnor Memorial Library & Radnor Historical Society for 6 lectures (6/17-8/26) on some celebration history beginning in 1876, including some local art and cultural topics, too. The talks will be presented by those familiar and knowledgeable history lovers; Thomas H. Keels and Jim Segrave-Daly.
Please note the locations: J. Segrave-Daly at The Finley House and T. Keels at Radnor Memorial Library. There is no registration and all talks are free to the public.
Rogues Gallery: When Rich People Spend Good Money On Bad Art
Presented by Thomas H. Keels
Tom Keels returns to RML in July for a talk on early 20th century Philadelphia, when both multi-millionaire P.A.B. Widener and legal eagle John G. Johnson paid a not-so-small fortune to a European grifter who supplied them with daVinci’s, Rembrandts, Vermeers and other Old Masters–all of which were completely bogus.
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Posted in Lectures, Special Events! | Tags: Thomas H. Keels
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Posted in Lectures, Special Events! | Tags: Jim Segrave-Daly
Live Music on the Porch featuring Marcus Chaney
Tuesday, 7/15
7-8:30pm
Winsor Room standby /weather
We are thrilled to host Marcus again, like we did last summer!
Marcus dazzles any audience in his presence. Possessing a lengthy performance resume second to none, he brings to life any genre of entertainment from Motown to the 80’s and more. A veteran of professional theater from Broadway to lengthy cruise ship productions, Marcus embodies the quintessential song-and-dance man.
Free soft pretzels and lemonade!
Porch seating is limited– so if you don’t mind sitting on our grassy lawn, then bring your favorite sit-upon!
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Posted in Artists, Musicians, Special Events! | Tags: Marcus Chaney, Night & Day Entertainment
Just a half year to go now before we hit the big 2-5-0 as a country, but since we do call ourselves Philly people, our hearts and minds are already in the right place. Please join Radnor Memorial Library & Radnor Historical Society for 6 lectures (6/17-8/26) on some celebration history beginning in 1876, including some local art and cultural topics, too. The talks will be presented by those familiar and knowledgeable history lovers; Thomas H. Keels and Jim Segrave-Daly.
Please note the locations: J. Segrave-Daly at The Finley House and T. Keels at Radnor Memorial Library. There is no registration and all talks are free to the public.
Bicentennial Philadelphia 1976: Were you there, too?
Presented by local historian Jim Segrave-Daly
Tuesday, 7/8 6:30pm
The Finley House, Radnor Historical Society
Jim is an accomplished speaker specializing in American History with national experience leading lectures in person and virtually.
In 1976, America was having its 200th birthday and Philadelphia’s celebration drew an estimated two million visitors. The Bicentennial in Philadelphia laid bare some of the most pressing questions of America’s national identity. As we remember the good times, we’ll also revisit this fraught history, too. Philadelphia’s famous Liberty Bell came to embody the deepest fissures in American life: there’s a crack in the bell.
Posted in Lectures, Special Events! | Tags: Jim Segrave-Daly, Radnor's Road to 250
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Posted in Yoga Class | Tags: Carole McKeon
Radnor Memorial Library proudly presents lively community and author events throughout the year in the Winsor Room.
Our event calendar is ever-changing and consists of weekly story times for the littlest of readers, weekly chess club for all ages, feature film screenings, financial literacy programs and more.
We have book discussions, book signings and presentations from local talent, to marquee speaking engagements with authors the likes of Allen C. Guelzo, Jon Grinspan, Janice P. Nimura, Camille Paglia, Lisa Scottoline, George Anastasia, Stephen Fried, Kermit Roosevelt III and A.J. Jacobs, to name more than a few...and rarely is registration required.
114 W. Wayne Ave. Wayne, PA 19087
610-687-1124
Explore our FREE 24/7 digital resources. Be sure to download the DelcoReads app!
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