I grew up in a small town called Myerstown, approximatley 8 miles from where I live now. Originally called Tulphehocken Town, a Lenape Indian word which means, "Land of the Turtles, the town was fouinded by Isaac Meier. He built this home made of local limestone in 1738. The home was built next to the Tulphehoken Creek. In 1770, Isaac Meier was shot to death at a local tavern. After his death, the town's name was changed from Tulpehocken Town to Meiers Town, in honor of Isaac Meier. Later the German name was changed to the English form, Myerstown. In 1969 a group of local citizens gathered together and formed a committee to save the original home and have it listed as a historic land mark. Several contractors have donated their time and effort to restore the interior and exterior to almost its orignal condition. Several antique dealers also donated period furniture to place in the home to enhance the visual aspect of tours. Twice a year the Isaac Meier Homestead conducts an all day exhibit, offerring tours, foods and crafts from that period. I think it is amazing thing that they were able to save and restore the house. In 1968 they planned to demolish it. And as an added note, yesterday's photo came from this home.
wow that's so amazing!!!! Thanks for sharing Rick! I think this is just so awesome, and now it's a historic landmark and people were planning on tearing it down! lovely photo essay!
beautiful! believe it or not, my background is in historic preservation. love these pix, which i want to pore over with a magnifying glass so i don't miss any details and the history you gave. superb! a fav!
The beautiful buildings and scenery around you that you've photographed would keep me happily living in that area! There's such a continuity that you've lived all your life in one place as I moved 18 times before going off to college! I've had the opportunity to experience all sorts of seasonal changes, so I'm happy with whatever comes my way. If the saying, "Grow where you are planted" should apply to us all, I suppose I'd have to think of myself as a tumbleweed! ...bt did I get off track? I love this beautiful old home, perhaps amongst the oldest in this country. It would have been a pity had it been demolished...now everyone can enjoy it!
Nice colage of beautiful buildings. Isaac Meier is a very Jewish name. Meir means in Hebrew lighting, or illuminating. Meir is also a common Name here.
