On Sunday, October 14, a beautiful autumn day, two tours were held at the cemetery. With the help of the Chestnut Hill Historic Society and the Springfield Township Historic Society, the groups were treated to an informative presentation about the history of the site. Jerry Heebner, editor of The Schwenfeldian magazine, led the tour beginning with some background about the Schwenkfelder emigration and settlement in the area. He also spoke about how the property developed and provided an entertaining outline of the families buried there. Jack Yeakel concluded the tour with some stories about the Yeakel family’s experience during the British occupation of Chestnut Hill. It’s a thrill to see so many people taking an interest in the cemetery and the history it represents. Hopefully, these were the first of many. Stay tuned.
If you would like to learn more, please come to the First Presbyterian Church in Flourtown, November 8th at 7:30. The program will feature presentations by Jefferson M. Moak, Senior Archivist with the National Archives and Records Administration, and David Contosta, Professor of History at Chestnut Hill College. Moak’s talk, “Chestnut Hill and Springfield Township: 18th Century Land Development and Architecture” will include original land partitions, an introduction to 18th century roads, and examples of 18th century architecture. Contosta’s presentation, “Millers and Mystics”, will explore the history of the Whissahickon Valley as both an early industrial powerhouse and home of a Pietist sect known as the “Hermits of the Whissahickon”. The talks are open to the public at no charge and will be moderated by Miles Orvell, Professor of English and American Studies at Temple University.
Yeakel Cemetery 