Call Number:

14

Repository:

Doylestown Historical Society

Extent:

1.33 linear feet

Language:

English

Date:

1987-1988 (bulk) and 1987-2010 (inclusive)

Creator:

Strecker, Betty Jane, 1933-

Abstract:

The area now known as Doylestown (Bucks County, Pennsylvania) was given to Edward Doyle as a land grant from William Penn in 1692. Doylestown became the county seat of Bucks County in 1812, and the area flourished when a railroad line was completed between Doylestown and Philadelphia in 1856. Doylestown's historic downtown began to deteriorate in the early 1960s, but the town was revitalized in part due to an architectural preservation movement. The Betty Strecker Doylestown Sesquicentennial records, consists mostly of records of the Doylestown Sesquicentennial Committee and papers relating to Strecker's role as its coordinator, including correspondence, newspaper clippings, photographs of people and events, applications for Doylestown Sesquicentennial Queen, a scrapbook, some published items, event planning materials, and copies of Doylestown: 150 Years, published by the Committee. There are also some personal records and papers from other organizations with which Strecker was affiliated (such as Doylestown Historical Society) and a few materials from the 1938 Centennial celebration.

Doylestown is the county seat of Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Founded in the mid 18th century, it became the county seat in 1813 and was formally incorporated as a borough in 1838.

"Doylestown is named after the Doyle family. The Doyle family originally came from France (the name was D'Ouilli), but moved to Ireland during the Inquisition. Circa 1600 the name was changed to D'Oyley and later was changed again to Doyle. Edward Doyle sailed to America in 1640 and lived for a time in Rhode Island until he moved to Bucks County upon receiving a land grant from William Penn in 1692. He died in 1703. Edward Doyle's children remained in Bucks County and settled in the area of Doylestown. In 1730, Edward Doyle Jr. (born 1690) bought 150 acres of land in what is now Doylestown, and further purchases were made by the Doyle family in 1737. The Doyles built an inn in 1745 and the town was known early on as "William Doyl's Tavern" and "Doyle's Town." In 1752, a second tavern was built, which still stands today (though now much modified). In 1776, the inn was sold by William Doyle (born in 1712, son of Edward Doyle, Jr.), who moved to Plumstead, Bucks County, where he died in 1780. After the sale of the tavern, the town became known by its present name. In 1778, George Washington and his Continental Army camped near Doylestown, on their way from Valley Forge to fight the British in New Jersey. In 1812, Doylestown became the County Seat of Bucks County.

"In 1856, a railroad line was completed between Doylestown and Philadelphia. The present train station dates from 1876. A trolley line was installed that ran to Trenton and Easton. The older part of town is listed on the National Register of Historic Places."

Doylestown celebrated the sesquicentennial of its incorporation in 1988. The various festivities that were held in honor of the anniversary were organized by the Doylestown Sesquicentennial Committee. Doylestown Borough Councilwoman Betty J. Strecker coordinated the six-month-long celebration.

A long-time Doylestown resident and bookkeeper for Milton Rutherford (Doylestown), Strecker, a Republican, was very active in local government and was involved with various community business and cultural organizations. She was a member of the following: Doylestown Historical Society, Doylestown Community Association, Doylestown Business and Professional Women's Club, Coordinating Council of the Bucks County Free Library, Pearl S. Buck Volunteers Association, Women of Salem of the Salem United Church of Christ, Bucks County Civil War Roundtable, and Thrift Shop for Welcome House, among other organizations. She served as president, was a member of the executive committee, or served on the board of many of these organizations. She was also a committee chairwoman and member of various committees of the Central Bucks Chamber of Commerce, and managing editor of the Doylestown Community News.

Bibliography:

Quoted text from: Ludwig, Ed. "Brief History of Doylestown." Accessed July 25, 2013. http://www.doylestownhistorical.org/0HistoryDoylestown.htm.

This collection consists mostly of records of the Doylestown Sesquicentennial Committee and papers relating to Strecker's role as coordinator of the anniversary celebration. They include: correspondence, newspaper clippings, photographs of people and events, applications for Doylestown Sesquicentennial Queen, a scrapbook, some published items, event planning materials, and copies of Doylestown: 150 Years, published by the Committee.

There are also some personal records and papers from other organizations with which Strecker was affiliated (such as Doylestown Historical Society).

Note: The Doylestown Historical Society also has some materials from the Doylestown Centennial celebration, 1938, including event programs, copies of clippings and photographs, and several copies of Doylestown Centennial: 1838-1938, 100 Years of Doylestown, published by the Centennial Committee.