Shown below are the names of the people who have been interviewed. Note that the society initials, STHS and NHHS, indicate that the original cassette material came for that society’s collection. In addition, other initials indicate other sources, like (HC) for Heritage Conservancy.
There are many ways to interact with this information.
There are many ways to interact with this information.
- Click on a name or the link at the end of each person’s information to see a summary of the interview, the time period discussed, and the tags/key words for that interview.
- On the summary paragraph at the bottom, click on the player to listen to the interview.
Artists:
Ranulph Bye (NHHS)
Ranulph Bye’s ancestor was given a Buck’s county land grant by William Penn in 1699. He was a highly and widely recognized American watercolorists. He primarily painted landscapes, seascapes, and buildings, producing over three thousand during his very active career. Recording and details.
Ruth Folinsbee (NHHS)
Ruth was the widow of John F. (Jack) Folinsbee, a noted artist. Her daughter Beth attended the interview and spoke occasionally. Recording and details.
Charles Hargens, Jr. (NHHS)
Illustrator, painter, photographer, Charles achieved marked success in the magazine and book publishing world. He and his family moved to Carversville in 1940. After listening to this interview, be sure to watch the video Bucks County Documentary (1977) to see and hear Charles in his Carversville studio. Recording and details.
Don Hedges (NHHS)
Don Hedges was an architect who moved to New Hope in 1930. He and his wife Peggy opened a craft shop in New Hope that she ran for many years. Don was involved in civic activities in New Hope, and in his later years he took up painting. Recording and details.
Anne Lathrop (NHHS)
Ann was the wife of Julian Lathrop, who was the son of William Lathrop. She was interviewed with her long-time friend Sally Nimick. Recording and details.
Elizabeth Lawrie (NHHS)
Elizabeth was a locally well-known painter. She resided in New Hope. Recording and details.
Emily Leith-Ross (NHHS)
Emily (Slaymaker) Leith-Ross was the wife of the artist Harry Leith-Ross, who was called Tony by family and friends. They met in Chicago, her home town, in 1925, and although he was 15 years older than she, they quickly fell in love and married later that year. The family moved to the New Hope area in 1935 and became active members in the artists’ colony, counting many friends among the Phillips Mill artist’s set and the Jericho Mountain writer’s set. Harry Leith-Ross lived from 1886 to 1973. Recording and details.
George Nakashima (NHHS)
George was a woodworker and furniture maker considered a national treasure by both Japan and the USA. His love of wood with its perfections and imperfections made his designs unique and beautiful. George was born in Spokane, WA, and moved with his wife and daughter to Solebury in 1943. From that time he built his business, home, and many friendships step by creative step with his own hands. Recording and details.
Edward W. Redfield (NHHS)
Edward lived and painted in Centre Bridge, PA. He was one of the central figures (possibly the central figure) in the Pennsylvania Impressionist (New Hope School) movement and became one of our country’s most decorated painters. Recording 1 and details. Recording 2 and details. Recording 3 and details.
Laurent and Dorothy Redfield (NHHS)
Dorothy, the daughter-in-law of Edward Redfield and wife of his first son Laurent, reflects on the Redfield family life in Centre Bridge where Laurent grew up. This provides background about life in the times and therefore rounds out our understanding of the artist, and as such should be listened to after the recordings done by Edward. Laurent was present at the interview but was unable to speak because of the aftereffects of a stroke. Recording and details.
Canal:
Canal Workers (NHHS)
One former canal barge worker interviews four others at a meeting. It is believed this was an effort to spur interest in maintaining the canal for recreational use after its use for transportation was over. Recording and details.
Lucy White (NHHS)
Lucy completed first grade, and then when her mother died she went to work on a canal boat. She tells many tales of life on the canal. Recording and details.
Carversville Residents:
Bucks County Documentary, 1977 (STHS)
This is a brief film about Carversville and Lumberville, one part of a series of videos, the rest of which are currently lost. (If you have an knowledge of this series, please contact STHS.) Recording and details.
Ned Harrington (STHS)
Ned and his wife Betty moved to Carversville in 1947. He was the author of many books about the history of Carversville and Solebury Township. He was responsible for the detailed research of over 400 historic homes in the township. His interview is on two tapes that cover topics ranging from 1859 to 2000. Recording 1 and details. Recording 2 and details.
Farmers:
Edward Fell (STHS)
Ed was a Penobscot Indian who lived in Solebury Township for over 80 years. His memories cover the period 1920 to 2000. Recording and details.
Donald Fitting (STHS)
Don talked to Chase Asplundh, a New Hope/Solebury High School student and Society junior historian, and Linda Metcalf, a former STHS board member, about his life. Don attended the Solebury one-room schoolhouse where his mother taught. Recording and details.
Mildred Randa Klicka (NHHS)
Millie was born in Solebury Township and raised on a dairy farm. She attended local schools and shares many memories of earlier times. Recording and details.
Harold McDonald (STHS)
Harold was a Solebury farmer much involved with the social life in Solebury Township. He managed the Holmquist dairy farm with its small herd of Jersey cows and delivered milk in the area. The interview covers 1933 to 2000. Recording and details.
Joe Magill (STHS)
Joe was from a long-time Solebury family. He was raised on his family dairy farm. His reminiscences cover the period from 1920 to 2000. Recording and details.
Lumberville Residents:
William Jr. and Susan Tinsman (STHS)
The Tinsman family has owned the lumber yard in Lumberville for generations. Bill, with asides by his wife Sue, recounts his life in the area. Recording and details.
Music:
Lynn Sims (HC)
Lynn was born and raised in Bucks County, living in Yardley and Morrisville. She had a deep-seated love of the county and after moving to Fayetteville, NY, composed folk ballads about her former home. She recorded these ballads in an album called These Gentle Hills. Recording and details.
New Hope Residents:
Roland Fiori (NHHS)
Roland was a popular local musician who knew everyone in the local non-painter artistic community. He mentions the names of almost every famous person who lived in or came to the New Hope area. Recording and details.
Mildred Woods Hopkins (STHS)
Mildred lived on Mechanic Street in New Hope and was one of the few Black women to have spent most of her life in the area. She speaks of incidents from before the Civil War until 2005. Recording and details.
James Magill (NHHS)
Jim was a life-long resident of the area and mayor of New Hope. He shares his extensive knowledge of the area and important issues of the time. Recording and details.
Solebury Residents:
Betty Chardon (STHS)
Betty moved to Solebury as a new wife in 1948 and lives on Chapel Road near St. Phillips Chapel. Her memories cover 1950 to 2000. Recording and details.
Malcolm Crooks (STHS)
Malcolm and his family are long-time residents and civic leaders of Solebury Township. He talked to Chase Asplundh, a New Hope/Solebury High School student and Society junior historian, and Linda Metcalf, a former STHS board member, about his life. His leadership, interests, and advocacy have been instrumental in shaping the preserved, open landscape we all enjoy today. Recording and details.
Richard J. Mangan (STHS)
Duffy Mangan was chief of police in Solebury Township for 36 years and was on the force for five years before that. He was chief during some calm and some turbulent times in the township, including during the Dump the Pump campaign. Recording and details.
John Radosin (STHS)
John spent most of his life in Solebury. He served in World War II. His interview stresses the period of World War II but also covers other topics from 1935 to 2000. Recording and details.
Rhoda Renschler (STHS) Rhoda is a life-long Quaker, a descendant of early Solebury settlers. She spoke to the Solebury Farmer’s Club on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the Solebury Friends Meeting. Recording and details.
Kyle St. Claire (STHS)
Kyle was the vicar of St. Phillip’s Church for 20 years, from 1980 to 2000. Recording and details.
Betty Tease (STHS)
Betty’s father worked in the mill on Reeder Road and she was born in the small house at the corner of Reeder Road and current 202. She lived in Solebury all her life. Her interview covers 1920 to 2000. Recording and details.
Teachers:
Maude Cathers (STHS)
Maude was a student at the Greenhill and then the Solebury one-room schoolhouses. She taught at the Carversville School and later taught and was principal at the Solebury Elementary School. Recording 1 is a talk to some students, recorded about the time of her retirement, covered the period from 1909 to 1969 and has information about the Solebury one-room schoolhouse. Recording 2 is a presentation of a pretend school day of first, second, and third grades with some of her former students. Recording 1 and details. Recording 2 and details.
Leodora F. Davis (NHHS)
Leodora was born and raised in Solebury. She was a teacher at the one-room schoolhouse on Aquetong Road. Recording and details.
Phil Fox (STHS)
Phil was interviewed by two elementary school students about his experiences as a student in the Solebury one-room schoolhouse. Recording and details.
Erma Newhart (NHHS)
Erma was a long-time area resident who had great memories of her time in the area and in school. She was very aware of the social differences among the various groups of students. Erma became a teacher. Recording and details.
Oral History Topics:
Aquetong artists Beaver Wars Bowman's Tower bridge trolley Buckingham Friends Bucks County Playhouse Bye (Ranulph) canal Carversville Centre Bridge Colt (Morgan) covered bridge Crooks Cuttalossa Depression diseases Doylestown Dump the Pump farming Fitting flood Folinsbee (John) Garber (Daniel) grange Greenhill School Hargens (Charles Jr.) Hillside Orphanage Hoffman (Abbie) Holmquist School Holmquist's Dairy Honey Hollow Hotel du Village Ingham Lahaska Lambertville land preservation Lathrop (William) Leith-Ross (Harry) Lumberville Marshall (Dr. George) Mercer (Henry) mills Nakashima (George) Native Americans New Hope New Hope Gazette Ney (Bill) one-room school Parry Mansion Phillips Mill polio Prohibition Quaker quilt Quakers Raven Rock Redfield (Edward) Rice's Market rivers and waterways Rosen (Charles) Rosin (Harry) Schofield (Walter) school segregation sledding social life Solebury Solebury Farmer's Club Solebury Friends Meeting Solebury School Sotter (George) St. Martin Church St. Phillips Church Stockton teacher Underground Railroad US President war
Ranulph Bye (NHHS)
Ranulph Bye’s ancestor was given a Buck’s county land grant by William Penn in 1699. He was a highly and widely recognized American watercolorists. He primarily painted landscapes, seascapes, and buildings, producing over three thousand during his very active career. Recording and details.
Ruth Folinsbee (NHHS)
Ruth was the widow of John F. (Jack) Folinsbee, a noted artist. Her daughter Beth attended the interview and spoke occasionally. Recording and details.
Charles Hargens, Jr. (NHHS)
Illustrator, painter, photographer, Charles achieved marked success in the magazine and book publishing world. He and his family moved to Carversville in 1940. After listening to this interview, be sure to watch the video Bucks County Documentary (1977) to see and hear Charles in his Carversville studio. Recording and details.
Don Hedges (NHHS)
Don Hedges was an architect who moved to New Hope in 1930. He and his wife Peggy opened a craft shop in New Hope that she ran for many years. Don was involved in civic activities in New Hope, and in his later years he took up painting. Recording and details.
Anne Lathrop (NHHS)
Ann was the wife of Julian Lathrop, who was the son of William Lathrop. She was interviewed with her long-time friend Sally Nimick. Recording and details.
Elizabeth Lawrie (NHHS)
Elizabeth was a locally well-known painter. She resided in New Hope. Recording and details.
Emily Leith-Ross (NHHS)
Emily (Slaymaker) Leith-Ross was the wife of the artist Harry Leith-Ross, who was called Tony by family and friends. They met in Chicago, her home town, in 1925, and although he was 15 years older than she, they quickly fell in love and married later that year. The family moved to the New Hope area in 1935 and became active members in the artists’ colony, counting many friends among the Phillips Mill artist’s set and the Jericho Mountain writer’s set. Harry Leith-Ross lived from 1886 to 1973. Recording and details.
George Nakashima (NHHS)
George was a woodworker and furniture maker considered a national treasure by both Japan and the USA. His love of wood with its perfections and imperfections made his designs unique and beautiful. George was born in Spokane, WA, and moved with his wife and daughter to Solebury in 1943. From that time he built his business, home, and many friendships step by creative step with his own hands. Recording and details.
Edward W. Redfield (NHHS)
Edward lived and painted in Centre Bridge, PA. He was one of the central figures (possibly the central figure) in the Pennsylvania Impressionist (New Hope School) movement and became one of our country’s most decorated painters. Recording 1 and details. Recording 2 and details. Recording 3 and details.
Laurent and Dorothy Redfield (NHHS)
Dorothy, the daughter-in-law of Edward Redfield and wife of his first son Laurent, reflects on the Redfield family life in Centre Bridge where Laurent grew up. This provides background about life in the times and therefore rounds out our understanding of the artist, and as such should be listened to after the recordings done by Edward. Laurent was present at the interview but was unable to speak because of the aftereffects of a stroke. Recording and details.
Canal:
Canal Workers (NHHS)
One former canal barge worker interviews four others at a meeting. It is believed this was an effort to spur interest in maintaining the canal for recreational use after its use for transportation was over. Recording and details.
Lucy White (NHHS)
Lucy completed first grade, and then when her mother died she went to work on a canal boat. She tells many tales of life on the canal. Recording and details.
Carversville Residents:
Bucks County Documentary, 1977 (STHS)
This is a brief film about Carversville and Lumberville, one part of a series of videos, the rest of which are currently lost. (If you have an knowledge of this series, please contact STHS.) Recording and details.
Ned Harrington (STHS)
Ned and his wife Betty moved to Carversville in 1947. He was the author of many books about the history of Carversville and Solebury Township. He was responsible for the detailed research of over 400 historic homes in the township. His interview is on two tapes that cover topics ranging from 1859 to 2000. Recording 1 and details. Recording 2 and details.
Farmers:
Edward Fell (STHS)
Ed was a Penobscot Indian who lived in Solebury Township for over 80 years. His memories cover the period 1920 to 2000. Recording and details.
Donald Fitting (STHS)
Don talked to Chase Asplundh, a New Hope/Solebury High School student and Society junior historian, and Linda Metcalf, a former STHS board member, about his life. Don attended the Solebury one-room schoolhouse where his mother taught. Recording and details.
Mildred Randa Klicka (NHHS)
Millie was born in Solebury Township and raised on a dairy farm. She attended local schools and shares many memories of earlier times. Recording and details.
Harold McDonald (STHS)
Harold was a Solebury farmer much involved with the social life in Solebury Township. He managed the Holmquist dairy farm with its small herd of Jersey cows and delivered milk in the area. The interview covers 1933 to 2000. Recording and details.
Joe Magill (STHS)
Joe was from a long-time Solebury family. He was raised on his family dairy farm. His reminiscences cover the period from 1920 to 2000. Recording and details.
Lumberville Residents:
William Jr. and Susan Tinsman (STHS)
The Tinsman family has owned the lumber yard in Lumberville for generations. Bill, with asides by his wife Sue, recounts his life in the area. Recording and details.
Music:
Lynn Sims (HC)
Lynn was born and raised in Bucks County, living in Yardley and Morrisville. She had a deep-seated love of the county and after moving to Fayetteville, NY, composed folk ballads about her former home. She recorded these ballads in an album called These Gentle Hills. Recording and details.
New Hope Residents:
Roland Fiori (NHHS)
Roland was a popular local musician who knew everyone in the local non-painter artistic community. He mentions the names of almost every famous person who lived in or came to the New Hope area. Recording and details.
Mildred Woods Hopkins (STHS)
Mildred lived on Mechanic Street in New Hope and was one of the few Black women to have spent most of her life in the area. She speaks of incidents from before the Civil War until 2005. Recording and details.
James Magill (NHHS)
Jim was a life-long resident of the area and mayor of New Hope. He shares his extensive knowledge of the area and important issues of the time. Recording and details.
Solebury Residents:
Betty Chardon (STHS)
Betty moved to Solebury as a new wife in 1948 and lives on Chapel Road near St. Phillips Chapel. Her memories cover 1950 to 2000. Recording and details.
Malcolm Crooks (STHS)
Malcolm and his family are long-time residents and civic leaders of Solebury Township. He talked to Chase Asplundh, a New Hope/Solebury High School student and Society junior historian, and Linda Metcalf, a former STHS board member, about his life. His leadership, interests, and advocacy have been instrumental in shaping the preserved, open landscape we all enjoy today. Recording and details.
Richard J. Mangan (STHS)
Duffy Mangan was chief of police in Solebury Township for 36 years and was on the force for five years before that. He was chief during some calm and some turbulent times in the township, including during the Dump the Pump campaign. Recording and details.
John Radosin (STHS)
John spent most of his life in Solebury. He served in World War II. His interview stresses the period of World War II but also covers other topics from 1935 to 2000. Recording and details.
Rhoda Renschler (STHS) Rhoda is a life-long Quaker, a descendant of early Solebury settlers. She spoke to the Solebury Farmer’s Club on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the Solebury Friends Meeting. Recording and details.
Kyle St. Claire (STHS)
Kyle was the vicar of St. Phillip’s Church for 20 years, from 1980 to 2000. Recording and details.
Betty Tease (STHS)
Betty’s father worked in the mill on Reeder Road and she was born in the small house at the corner of Reeder Road and current 202. She lived in Solebury all her life. Her interview covers 1920 to 2000. Recording and details.
Teachers:
Maude Cathers (STHS)
Maude was a student at the Greenhill and then the Solebury one-room schoolhouses. She taught at the Carversville School and later taught and was principal at the Solebury Elementary School. Recording 1 is a talk to some students, recorded about the time of her retirement, covered the period from 1909 to 1969 and has information about the Solebury one-room schoolhouse. Recording 2 is a presentation of a pretend school day of first, second, and third grades with some of her former students. Recording 1 and details. Recording 2 and details.
Leodora F. Davis (NHHS)
Leodora was born and raised in Solebury. She was a teacher at the one-room schoolhouse on Aquetong Road. Recording and details.
Phil Fox (STHS)
Phil was interviewed by two elementary school students about his experiences as a student in the Solebury one-room schoolhouse. Recording and details.
Erma Newhart (NHHS)
Erma was a long-time area resident who had great memories of her time in the area and in school. She was very aware of the social differences among the various groups of students. Erma became a teacher. Recording and details.
Oral History Topics:
Aquetong artists Beaver Wars Bowman's Tower bridge trolley Buckingham Friends Bucks County Playhouse Bye (Ranulph) canal Carversville Centre Bridge Colt (Morgan) covered bridge Crooks Cuttalossa Depression diseases Doylestown Dump the Pump farming Fitting flood Folinsbee (John) Garber (Daniel) grange Greenhill School Hargens (Charles Jr.) Hillside Orphanage Hoffman (Abbie) Holmquist School Holmquist's Dairy Honey Hollow Hotel du Village Ingham Lahaska Lambertville land preservation Lathrop (William) Leith-Ross (Harry) Lumberville Marshall (Dr. George) Mercer (Henry) mills Nakashima (George) Native Americans New Hope New Hope Gazette Ney (Bill) one-room school Parry Mansion Phillips Mill polio Prohibition Quaker quilt Quakers Raven Rock Redfield (Edward) Rice's Market rivers and waterways Rosen (Charles) Rosin (Harry) Schofield (Walter) school segregation sledding social life Solebury Solebury Farmer's Club Solebury Friends Meeting Solebury School Sotter (George) St. Martin Church St. Phillips Church Stockton teacher Underground Railroad US President war
