A Visit to the Museum – IX
The collection of items at the Museum continues to grow at an amazing pace. And several recent donations came in from a few unexpected places.
From Montana, Priscilla McShaffrey, formerly from the Royaleer Mounties of Camden, New Jersey, sent in some contest posters, a program book, and a corps schedule from the early 1970s.
In preparation for May’s Great Alliance of Seniors reunion in New Jersey, a rehearsal for some of the performing units was held at the Archer-Epler VFW post, current home of the Museum’s artifacts. John Flowers contributed a snare drum he used playing with the DCA percussion champion Yankee-Rebels in 1975. Ed Lynd added citation cords from the Haddon Heights (NJ) Vagabonds. Several video tapes of the Reilly Raiders alumni corps performing in 2002 were donated by Bill Mattiford and a large print of the corps performing in front of the Washington Monument was contributed by Joe Ledwith. Tim Henn brought two framed photos of the Yankee Rebels in their all-white uniforms from the late 1940s. As part of the G.A.S Reunion, Museum Curator Bill Ives brought a display of uniforms from 17 corps which are currently part of the collection.
Many more items were brought to the reunion, as well. Blaise Castaldo brought a treasure trove of items from the Hawthorne Caballeros and Muchachos. He also brought along a single-valve Getzen soprano and a saber from the Mountettes all-girl corps from Paramus, NJ, donated by Annie Piccirilli Hull. Nancy Weiler included jackets, photographs, write-ups, and many other items memorializing Preston Scout House. Along with those items, she brought along a knit banner from the Jolly Jesters.
Lisa and Ron Lawrence donated a 1980 Reading Buccaneers jacket, which had belonged to the late Althea Mazar Duke Terreri added his uniform from the St. Lucy’s Cadets. Debbie Nunn and friends included a parade shirt from the Rockaway, NJ Emerald Grena-dears all-girl corps. Renee Blankenship sent in a package containing a uniform (from when she was 10-years-old!), two corps jackets, and a written history of the 84th Bucktail Regiment of Emporium, PA.
Among the visitors to the museum in recent weeks was Howard “Whitey” Roberts. Whitey, who had not visited the post in many years, sat down for an audio interview recording session with Bill. He was connected with various corps in the Philadelphia area including Blue Max colorguard, Liberty Bell, Reilly, Archer-Epler, and the Air Force corps. Another recent interview was completed with Drum Major Shirley Zongker and colorguard member Kathi Bailey Petrowski of the St. Mary’s Lancers of Baltimore. These and other interviews will be available shortly.
Bill and Deb DiPaolo of Smithtown, NY also stopped by to see the museum. They brought a Selden Cadets Alumni uniform, a Brassmen Alumni uniform top, two sashes with pins from St. Joseph Patron Saints, and a number of t-shirts and uniform hats from their 1977 membership in the Sunrisers. They also contributed $100.00.
John Paul Kuhar recently rejoined the growing cast of Museum assistants. Progress continues organizing the program books, publications, fliers, recordings and many other items houses at the museum. If you are living in the Philadelphia area, available on Monday nights, and would like to be a part of this effort please contact Bill Ives at the e-mail and phone number listed below.
One note not pertaining to the Museum collection: the Archer-Epler VFW Post 979 of Upper Darby, PA celebrated the 100th of its charter on Memorial Day. The post was home of both the National Champion Musketeers junior corps in the mid-1930 and the National Champion senior corps in the early 1950s, probably the only corps and post home to have the titles in both divisions. Post Commander Chas. Coffman presented an anniversary birthday cake to those in attendance at the Memorial service. Also in attendance to present a certificate from the State VFW Commander was 7th District Commander Johnny Walker.
This year’s DCA Alumni Spectacular show in Rochester, New York on Sunday, September 3rd – part of the Drum Corps Associates Championship weekend, will again host a presentation of drum corps memorabilia from donors to the Marching Pageantry Arts Museum. If you’re attending championship weekend and wish to publicly donate items or cash as part of this presentation, please contact me by phone at 931.993.5800 or by e-mail at smanderman@united.net so that the schedule may be put together.
If your company has a matching donation, but a different matching program, contact Bill Ives at the address below and he will send the information needed for approval. All donations are accepted up to a million dollars!
The Marching Pageantry Arts Museum is currently located at the historic Archer-Epler VFW Post 979, 6736 Marshall Road, in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, just outside of Philadelphia. Bill Ives is President, CEO, and archivist of the museum corporation, an IRS 501(c)(3) charitable corporation. Donations of drum corps, marching band, and color guard memorabilia are always welcome. Cash donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law and may be made payable to":
Marching Pageantry Arts Museum
c/o Bill Ives
1024 Second Avenue
Media, PA 19063
The museum is currently open on Monday evenings from 6:00 to 10:00 PM by appointment only. Bill can be reached by e-mail at ivesbill@mac.com or by phone at (610) 937-6555.
The Marching Pageantry Arts Museum – “A story worth telling and worth knowing”