Springfield Heritage Museum Turns 25

Twenty five years seems like a drop in the bucket in the 300-plus years of history for Springfield Township, but if a bold group had not assisted in the foundation of the , much of the town's history would be lost.

In 1986, the museum’s first Advisory Board was formed with the job of overseeing the implementation and operation of the museum. Their goal was to preserve the township’s history. The board was made up 16 community volunteers. Patricia Gaines was the first chairperson.

The museum opened its doors on June 12, 1986 just in time to honor Springfield Township’s tricentennial observance.

At that time, the museum was located on the second floor of inside two classrooms. The Advisory Board designed the museum to show a variety of artifacts representing the past and present and historical aspects of the township. Retired teachers would volunteer their time to operate the museum.

Residents have always been asked to donate or loan objects for public display. Suitable items include photographs, documents, family trees and genealogy, posters, consumer and domestic goods, clothing, toys, bottles, medical equipment, school items, books, tax records and deeds.

Items can be 5, 10, 50, 100, or even 300-years-old and should relate to one of the four themed areas of the museum: “Archaeology and Springfield,” “Please Touch Museum” (for children), “Life in Springfield” and “Family History.”

Barbara Burke is the museum’s curator and vice president of the Springfield Historical Society. She spends most of her day volunteering by filing and organizing items at the museum, at its original location the high school in the basement level.

After looking at the same exhibits, buildings and photographs year after year, Burke said she is still fascinated by Springfield’s history.

This week, Burke spends time helping one family trace their roots all the way back to the late 1600s. She even gave the visitors an old family addresses for them to visit to recreate their own little bit of history.

Burke said every year she looks forward to many of Delaware County’s 4th-graders' class trips to the museum. She said she loves spending time at the museum but, “we still have many challenges here (for the Heritage Museum), from getting more items donated, to getting more volunteer help and raising financial support, but we’re getting there.”  

So as the Heritage Museum celebrates its 25th birthday, it too has become another fixture of Springfield Township history.

The museum’s motto is, “We must be vigilant in our preservation of the past. History can not be repeated, if we discard the register of history, we will lose the vestige of our collective accomplishments.”

Translation: “Don't Throw It Away.”

"It’s funny because we’re in the history business and we consider anything over 5 years to be historical,” Burke said.

The museum is part of the history it preserves.

Anyone who wishes to donate or loan materials can get more information by calling (610) 938-6299.

The Springfield Heritage Museum is open every Wednesday from 10 a.m. till 4 p.m., every third Sunday each month 1p.m. to 4 p.m. (except in the summer) or additional hours may be available by appointment.

Happy Birthday Springfield Heritage Museum!