York Town Square

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Making silk for ribbons, umbrellas – Linked in with neat York County, Pa., history stuff: Nov. 12, 2010

Nettie Wolfson is seen at York County, Pa.’s, Ashleigh and Bailey Silk Mill early in the 20th century. York Township’s Dianne Bowders, who submitted this photograph, said Nettie worked at the West Princess Street Mill with her grandmother, Mabel Zumbrun Rishel, about 1902-1910. “Many young girls began work in the mill following completion of their 8th grade education, as did my grandmother. This mill made ribbons but later produced broad silks to meet the needs of Lancaster’s umbrella industry. After 1900, the silk industry grew to become one of York’s most important industries, and by 1928, there were 12 silk mills in operation. During the 1930’s, synthetic fibers were introduced and the silk industry in York declined. The property is on the National Register of Historic Places,” Dianne wrote. Background posts: How one spot in York County, Pa., tells much about what’s going on around there and The York/Adams day that birthed memories of falling stars and silkworms and All Made in York posts from the start.

An e-mailer queried about where she could find a copy of the booklet “The Murals of York.”
“I am a lifelong resident of York City and would love to obtain a copy of this historic book,” she wrote… .


The bad news is that the booklet is out of print. The good news is that its contents – actually even more information and in color – is available at: http://www.ydr.com/murals.
For a post on how some of the murals are looking a little long in the tooth, see: Colorful Murals of York, Pa., engaging and intriguing at old age of 15

Blog post of the day: Yorkblogger June Lloyd has blogged on the call for entries to a 2011 scholarly journal to be published by the York County Heritage Trust: Help Write York County History .
Forum of the day, The Exchange: Do you have a better idea for saving Camp Security?

The York Daily Record/Sunday News’ “Remember” oral history series continues with memories of when doctors made house calls: House calls included birth of 13-pound baby
Also:
All York Town Square posts from the start. (Key word search by using “find” on browser.)
All Linked In/Neat Stuff posts from the start..