Society Plans Father’s Day Tour In Tribute To New Hope Fathers

NEW HOPE, PA — The New Hope Historical Society will present a special Father's Day Walking Tour of Historic New Hope that will highlight four fathers in New Hope history whose lives helped enhance the town’s development and reputation over the past three centuries.

The tour steps off at 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 18 from the Parry Mansion on South Main Street.

"By paying tribute to them and their lives the Historical Society celebrates all fathers on their special day," said tour guide Roy Ziegler.

The tour will explore the lives of Benjamin Parry, Oliver Parry, Edward Randolph Parry and Dr. Arthur J. Ricker.

Benjamin Parry is known as the “Father of New Hope." He was so named because his rebuilt Hope Mill, which had been destroyed by fire and renamed the New Hope Mill, eventually led to the name of the town - Coryell’s Ferry - being changed to New Hope in 1837. His nephew, John Childs Parry, later became New Hope's first burgess (mayor).

Parry, a community leader for half a century was a catalyst in New Hope becoming the industrial and manufacturing capital of Bucks County in the early 19th century, according to Ziegler.

From left: Benjamin Parry, Oliver Parry, Dr. Arthur Ricker and Major Edward Randolph Parry.

Parry’s son, Oliver, managed the business of his aging father while beginning his career as a major player in the development of Philadelphia’s western expansion. His wife Rachel, was the daughter of Revolutionary War hero and Philadelphia entrepreneur, Captain Edward Randolph. Oliver and Rachel had 12 children, many of them born in New Hope. Among them were a banker, a physician, and a Civil War hero.

Twenty-four-year-old Edward Randolph Parry moved to Mankato, Minnesota with his younger brother, Richard. Together they established the city’s first commercial bank and a brokerage company to help finance the expansion of the railroad industry in the Midwest.

Edward was the first citizen of Mankato to enlist in the Union Army. After commanding three forts and serving as a commandant of a military prison in Massachusetts he was promoted to the rank of major before retiring due to failing health. He and his wife Frances had three daughters, Mary, Rachel, and Catherine.

Dr. Arthur J. Ricker was the “Father of the New Hope Historical Society”. His vision and drive created the society in 1958, preserving the 1790 English-style Parry Barn, the 1787 Georgian-style Parry Mansion, and the 1891 Victorian New Hope/Ivyland Train Station. He was the first president of the society, serving ten years in that office in two non-consecutive terms.

Through his and the society’s efforts most of downtown New Hope was included on the National Register of Historic Places.

Dr. Ricker, a graduate of Temple University Medical School, earned his first medical experience with General George Patton’s Third Army in France and Germany. He and his wife Linda had five children: Peter, Arthur, Daniel, Mary and. Ann.

These New Hope fathers and others will be part of the one-hour tour that begins at the Parry Mansion Museum at 45 South Main Street. Tickets may be purchased at newhopehistorical.org.