Boalsburg Heritage Museum - Heritage Education

Heritage Education
Sara Sweet House \| Bank Barn \| Light House Summer Kitchen \| Country Store \| Memorial Day
The Sara Sweet House Built in 1825, the Sara Sweet House was built in three layers of plank construction: one vertical, second horizontal, and third vertical. It is typical of homes built by Pennsylvania Dutch. Long windows were added when the Victorian era came along. The horsehair plaster came from the tanning business conducted on this property. This building is part of the Murray-Mosser (Musser) tannery complex, one of the earliest enterprises in the settlement that became Springfield when Andrew Stroup began selling lots in his development about 1810. John and Catherine Miller are thought to be the builders of a log house on this large tract of land. Michael Jack bought the property in 1804 and dug the tanyard vats in the side yard before selling to William Murray. While Murray
had the Springfield Tannery, other structures on this property included a large bank barn (the foundation still exists), the log house and this plank house. Foundations also exist for out houses. In 1837, Jonathan Mosser became the owner and his sons Henry, Frederick, and John continued the tannery operation for many years. The next owner, Philip Meyer, made changes to the house. He installed large coal and wood burning stoves popular at the time. He also heightened the first floor windows and shutters. The old “summer kitchen” has a big fireplace and oven. It was typical of the era to have a separate summer kitchen to try to keep as much heat outside of the house as possible in the summertime. The house was the girlhood home of Sara Meyers before her marriage to William Nathanial Sweet.
	Members of the Boalsburg Conservancy wanted to establish a museum in Boalsburg and this house was purchased in 1983 by Mr. and Mrs. Thomas. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Aikens presented the property to the Museum Association as a gift. The Aikens required that a Trust Fund of $25,000 be raised by the Museum Association, half of it prior to the purchase of the property, and that it be held in escrow with only proceeds from it being used for operating expenses. The Fund was established on schedule with the help of residents in town.
Transfer of deed for the property was accomplished in November of 1983. There is currently no mortgage on the property and loans by residents were gradually paid off. Funds and volunteers are needed to continue to restore the facilities. Descriptions of Some Articles in the House *Parlor* Kerosene lamp – has its original painted shade and prisms. It is original to the house. Hand-made Foot Stool – found in the house. Two late-Victorian Chairs – once covered in green velvet. They were retied and recovered. Late-Victorian Fainting Couch – originally green velvet. It had to have its springs retied and upholstery redone. Three antimascassers – crocheted by an elderly Boalsburg resident who was living at Centre Crest. Crocheting these gave her a purpose. Victorian Chair – a gift from a woman who believed the museum needed her grandmother’s chair. It has quite remarkable carvings of a women’s heads. Two-Victorian Side Chairs – one read and one green; a gift to the Museum. Child’s Rocker – found in the house. Belonged to Sara Meyers Sweet and her two sisters, Virginia and Naomi, who grew up in this house in the late 1800’s. The “Virginia” Doll – belonged to Virginia Meyers. Amber Keene found it on a trash heap. She cleaned it up and made some new clothes. The stockings are original. She and her granddaughter gave it to the Museum. Parlor Table – bought for the museum by Ruth Corter. Small Molded Dog – from the Victorian period. *Pictures* Boalsburg Diamond – Painting by Vincent Carducci. Photo of William “Billy” Meyers Photo of Mrs. William “Billy” Meyers and daughter, Naomi. Local Doctor (Dr. Kidder) on his horse - A “painted” photo. Blue Spring Farm – A “painted” photo. *Dining Room* Drop leaf table – from the Hess/Segner House; early 1800’s. There is some nice inlay on the legs. Oak Sideboard – from the late 19th century or early 20th century and is from the William Tennis House. Two Victorian “Fancy Chairs” – Bull’s Eye with cane seat. Coffee Server – mid-1800’s. Silver Place Setting – from the Billy Meyer’s home. Four-Windsor Chairs – on loan as is the Ceiling Candelabra. Cuckoo Clock – from Bavaria, on loan and is decorated in Bavarian (Farmers’) Art. Kitchen Jelly Cupboard and Dough Tray – from Boalsburg. Harvest Table – has leather pulls for the drop leaf. Upstairs There are marble tops on the bureau and wash stand of the painted bedroom suite. The cradle was hand-made over 150 years ago and came from the Myers’ home. The rope bed was made in Boalsburg from tulip wood (poplar) and painted to look like mahogany. The sewing machine and cover is early Singer. Hitch Cock Painted Chair. *School Room* The teacher’s desk and table were originally in the Boalsburg School.