Native Americans in New Hope, covered bridges, postcard collections and premiered one-act plays will provide a wide variety of topics for the New Hope Historical Society’s 22nd annual Speaker Series each Monday in April at 5 p.m., when the Logan Inn will provide its comfortable, modern Logan Theater for the series.
The April Speaker Series, created by longtime board member Lynn Stoner, kicks off April 1, with a talk by Chief Blue Jay, Barbara Michalski, who was given the name by her grandfather, Bill Thompson, late Chief Whippoorwill of the Unalachtigo (people near the ocean) Tribe of the Turkey Clan.
She is a member of Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania (LNPA), and she has immersed herself in the activities of the nation. She serves on the Tribal Council; and is tribal secretary and one of the Storytellers of the Nation. Last year, she was appointed Chief of Culture. She educates the public by attending events or festivals in the Lenapehoking (Homeland of the Lenape).
Blue Jay will present an intimate portrait of Lenni-Lenape life and culture in Bucks County dating back more than eight centuries.
On April 8, R. Scott Bomboy, author, and historian, will present an in-depth look at the birth, demolition, and preservation of covered bridges.
He is the author of “The Lost Covered Bridges of Montgomery County” and “Wooden Treasures: The Story of Bucks County’s Covered Bridges.” Bomboy is also chair of the Bucks County Covered Bridge Society.
Bomboy has received five Edward R. Murrow awards in television, and he currently is the editor-in-chief of the National Constitution Center.
Michael Miciak’s presentation on April 15, “Wish You Were Here: New Hope Goes Global with Postcrossing,” will take a look at New Hope through postcards, past and present, and how Miciak has shared them around the world through Postcrossing, the worldwide postcard exchange.
There will be no presentation on April 22 due to the Passover holiday.
The Speaker Series concludes on April 29, with Susan Sandor, award-winning advertising copywriter, published writer, playwright, and founder of Playmate Playwrights, who found her “genre groove” in today’s popular 10-minute plays.
She has written 24 plays and has had her plays staged at the Amphitheater at Paxson Hill Farm in New Hope and Hopewell Theater in Hopewell, N.J., as well as on Zoom, including for the Society’s speaker series, during the pandemic.
She will present a reading of three plays in person, read by local actors.
A reception after each talk will enable participants to meet the speakers and discuss the topics. Admission is free to members of the New Hope Historical Society, and $10 for non-members. Reserve at newhopehistorical.org.
Join our readers whose generous donations are making it possible for you to read our news coverage. Help keep local journalism alive and our community strong. Donate today.
