Society to fete Benjamin Parry Day

By: centraljersey.com
On Sunday, the New Hope Historical Society will celebrate Benjamin Parry Day in a very special way.
The event will be sponsored by Historical Society board member, Roy Ziegler, who recently completed a new book about the Parry family. The work, "The Parrys of Philadelphia and New Hope," was published by iUniverse Publishers. The work has received the Editor’s Choice award from the publisher, a kind of good housekeeping seal of approval indicating that "the book demonstrates high quality and is recommended by the editors," said a spokesman.
It is a story about the first dynamic period of America’s history during 100 years from the end of the American Revolutionary War to the end of the Civil War.
The Industrial Revolution was creating thousands of jobs and cities were growing at alarming rates. Philadelphia was on its way to becoming the first great American city, and smaller communities like New Hope were providing the bricks and mortar, lumber and iron and food supply that nourished the city’s growth.
Benjamin Parry, who dominated the New Hope community for half a century, was one of the hundreds of early American entrepreneurs whose energy and ingenuity helped lay the foundation for the nation’s greatness. He operated several mills in New Hope and in Lambertville, invented a successful grain-drying process, originated the idea for building the bridge to New Jersey and was a partner in the first New Hope bank. He also had business operations in Philadelphia. His son, Oliver, led the westward expansion of Philadelphia by spearheading the creation and development of the city’s Spring Garden district.
Mr. Ziegler will present a discussion about the book at the Parry Mansion. A book sale and signing will be held after the talk.
A portion of the proceeds of the sale on Benjamin Parry Day will be contributed to the New Hope Historical Society. A wine and cheese reception and dessert will follow the presentation.
The event is open to the public, but reservations are required. Contact the New Hope Historical Society at 215-862-5652 or [email protected] for reservations.