Celebrate Armistice Day's 100th Anniversary In Lower Merion

MERION, PA – A century ago, the "war to end all wars" ended and the Lower Merion Historical Society is honoring the end of World War I on Nov. 11.

The community will honor the 100th anniversary of the Armistice ending World War I on Sunday, Nov. 11 at the Merion War Tribute House with an open house from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., the Lower Merion Historical Society has announced.

Activities will include speakers, exhibits, ceremonies, visuals and refreshments.

Color Guards from the First City Troop and the Sons of the American Revolution will be joined by local American Legion and Boy Scout members to raise the flag and initiate the afternoon’s events.

The program will include a musical tribute to Eldridge Johnson and the Victor Talking Machine and talks by two local historians about life in the Philadelphia area during the World War I years. The event will close with a heritage flag ceremony and tree planting.

"We hope that residents of Lower Merion Township and its environs will come out to appreciate some of our shared history," James Ettelson, President of the Board of Directors of the Merion Community Association, said. "The teens and early '20s were, in many respects, the start of this community and Merion paved the way with its many civic minded residents. This event will give a glimpse into life at that time and honor the sacrifices of the many families who lost their loved ones to The Great War."

The Armistice between the Allies and the Germans was signed on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918. Shortly afterwards, the idea for the Merion Tribute House crystallized out of a desire to build a “Peace Memorial Community House” to honor the young men from Merion who served in the armed forces during the war.

After plans were drawn and fundraising began, Mr. and Mrs. Eldridge Johnson generously offered their eight-acre estate as the site for the new building; their only son had fought in the war. Mr. Johnson was the founder of the Victor Talking Machine Company (which became RCA).

Inscriptions in the Memorial Hall honor the 84 men from Merion who served during World War I, four of whom gave their lives. There are references to battles where Americans fought and uniform insignia throughout the building, in stained and leaded glass windows.

Throughout the Township and along the Main Line, there are plaques, statues, and other remembrances of the soldiers who fought in that brutal war. The Merion Tribute House is the only "peace house" memorial of its kind in the area.

"It’s fitting that this event take place in this building," says Gerald Francis, President of the Lower Merion Historical Society who is on the planning committee for the event. "From the names of battles forged in iron in the hall to the dough boys cast on the building’s tower, the Merion War Tribute House evokes the pride and spirit of the era in which it was built. We hope many of our neighbors and those throughout the region interested in this history will come join us this Nov. 11 to recognize this important event in our country’s history."

The Merion War Tribute House is located at 625 Hazelhurst Ave. in Merion.

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