More than 2,000 copies of the Honey Brook Herald have found a new home with the Honey Brook Historical Society.
“A local historian, Frances Jacobs, donated more than 2,000 copies of the Honey Brook Herald to the Honey Brook Historical Society for preservation, when it came time to break up her household,” Barbara R. Schober, President Honey Brook Historical Society, writes to the Tri County Record.
“They have been sitting in my cellar quietly deteriorating, as old newspapers do, and the pile grew as we searched for other copies to have a complete collection.”
The society studied how to preserve the newspapers, considering whether to put the papers on microfilm or to digitalize them.
“Meanwhile, an opportunity came in the form of a retired librarian with knowledge of microfilming, time and the necessary supplies to microfilm them,” writes Schober. “We decided to take the opportunity and micro-film them, then, later take the necessary time to fundraise for the money needed to digitalize them and have them available online.”
According to Schober, The Honey Brook Herald was first published in May 10, 1928 and ran until the late 1980s.
“It was longest, continually running, home-style newspaper in Honey Brook.”
When asked about the benefits of preserving this newspaper, Schober writes, “The community will benefit by having this resource from former years in the town, vehicle to research geneology and life and times during that age period.”
The society received help from volunteers.
“Honey Brook Boy Scout Troop 56 helped us transport the papers and collate them. We’re glad for the intergeneration contact and hope the contact helps to spur their interest in their town.”
Honey Brook Troop 56 includes, under the supervision of Jill Cutolo, Matt Ohler; Patrick and Cahal Donoghue, Conner Cutolo and Trevor Darlington.
Other volunteers included Paula Mc Ginnis, East Nantmeal Historical Commission; Frank Fredella, Past Commander and Jack Martin, Steward of Honey Brook American Legion; Robert Schober; members of the Honey Brook Historical Society Barbara R. Schober, Barbara White, Betty Ranck, Ruth Ann Shade, Ruth Lowe and Edna Stoltzfus.
