Innkeeper Awards Presented By Newtown Historians At Winter Dinner

NEWTOWN BOROUGH, PA — The Newtown Historic Association at its Winter Dinner on Sunday night at the Temperance House said thank you the homeowners who opened their houses for the 2022 Holiday House Tour and also the public building stewards who participated.

Barry Fleck, the president of the NHA, led the special evening presenting certificates of appreciation to the homeowners and public building stewards as a slide show featuring photos from the house tour flashed on a giant screen behind him.

“This is a special night for the NHA. It’s a way for us to say thank you to those who help with the open house tour, which represents about 20 percent of our budget. So it’s a very important fundraiser for us,” said Fleck.

In addition, Fleck singled out two “outstanding and dedicated” volunteers for the organization’s Innkeeper Award. The award is given to volunteers who exemplify volunteerism, generosity and a love of Newtown and the NHA.

“The dictionary defines an Innkeeper as the proprietor of the inn, a person who runs the inn. The innkeeper also opens the doors and lets guests come inside,” said Fleck. “Since we are a volunteer organization there are a lot of people who certainly fit that description who help us do that.”

Lorraine Pentz and Craig Hackett were publicly thanked by NHA President Barry Fleck for more than 60 years of combined service to the NHS.

Pentz co-chairs Market Day and has served as the head hostess for the Holiday House Tour for more than two decades. She has also had her house on the tour twice and has helped on numerous NHA committees over the years, said Fleck.

Craig Hackett and his wife moved here in 1976, attracted to the town by Core Creek, Tyler and Peace Valley parks. “They were also drawn to Bucks County by its rich and historic background. Craig started painting churches, historic homes and many other landmarks,” said Fleck. “Many may remember Craig always had a spot on Market Day in front of the inn.

“He’s a self taught artist who has gone from simple doodles to kill the boredom of high school to paintings depicting the historic staples of Bucks County,” continued Fleck. “With each sale a buyer learns the historic nature of the work that they purchased - an extra that Craig enjoys providing.”

Looking ahead, the NHA will hold its General Meeting on Feb. 21 beginning at 7:30 p.m. at the Half-moon Inn, 105 Court Street, Newtown. Doug Miller, the historic site administrator at Pennsbury Manor, will speak on “William Penn and the Founding of Pennsylvania.”

In 1681 Penn, with the signature of King Charles the second, became the largest land holder in England. His fledgling colony would become the Keystone to the development of a nation.

Doug Miller, the director of William Penn’s home, Pennsbury Manor, will share the history of William Penn and the beginnings of Pennsylvania.

Pennsbury Manor is a reconstruction of William Penn’s country estate. It is set on 43 acres along the Delaware River in Falls Township. It is the only site in the nation dedicated to preserving the historical significance of William Penn. Pennsbury Manor brings the past into the present by telling the stories of the colonists, servants, enslaved people, and Native Americans who lived on that land.

Miller is employed by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission and has served as museums director at Brandywine Battlefield, Washington Crossing, Hope Lodge in Fort Washington, Graeme Park in Horsham and Curtin Village in Centre County. Miller serves as a peer reviewer for museum accreditation and as a consultant through the MAP (museum assessment program).

The February meeting is free and open to the public and will be held at the Half-moon Inn, 105 Court Street, Newtown.