Exhibit Details
Here you will find letters of correspondence, contracts and other significant documents that will give you a firsthand look at some of the more momentous events in HSR’s history.
Correspondence
Display Details
This display covers correspondence between camp and council leaders and other individuals.
This letter was received by Roland Minshall in 1935 as acknowledgement of his registration for Summer Camp at Horseshoe.
1935 – Contributed by J. Roland Minshall
This letter of acceptance onto Camp Horseshoe staff was sent from Scout Executive T.J. Price in February 1930 to Vernon Berkeihiser, grandfather of Horseshoe Camp Director Mike Berkeihiser. Further proof that the “dust in the mocassins” doesn’t go away even through the generations.
1930 – Contributed by Michael Berkeihiser
J. Gibson McIlvain, camp architect and early Council Commissioner, writes in this letter to Chester County Council about his son Robert’s discovery of a random $5 bill and they decided to put it forward towards camp funds (this monetary amount in 2008 dollars is about $62). The letter was discovered in 2009 by a Camp Horseshoe HQ Staff member behind an old photo of the Kindness Center.
1928 – Contributed by John B. Rettew III
Supreme Court Justice and HSR benefactor Owen J. Roberts communicates to a Mr. Scott about the positive influence Scouting has had in only 27 years.
1937 – Contributed by Earl Dering Sr.
This 1929 letter from Robert Wolcott, CCC BSA President, to Pierre duPont regards council and camp finances.
1929 – Contributed by Damon Sinclair
Miscellaneous
Display Details
Here are a number of miscellaneous historical documents from over the years, ranging from invitations and schedules to proclamations and menus.
These camp receipts issued for a week of Summer Camp and Trading Post dollars were saved by Roland Minshall in the mid 1930s.
1934 – Contributed by J. Roland Minshall
Invitation to a Camper’s Reunion in West Chester.
1935 – Contributed by J. Roland Minshall
This letter from the 1937 Octoraro Chief invites Eagle Scouts to purchase a tree to be planted in Eagle Grove.
1937 – Contributed by James H. Gawthrop
This troop application for summer camp was mailed to troops in 1940.
1940 – Contributed by J. Roland Minshall
All the attendees of the Health Lodge Dedication on July 22nd, 1944 signed this tickertape. The tickertape was found amongst the artifacts in the Health Lodge Time Capsule discovered in the Health Lodge chimney during renovations in 2003.
1944 – Contributed by Ray Hayden
All the attendees of the Health Lodge Dedication on July 22nd, 1944 signed this tickertape. The tickertape was found amongst the artifacts in the Health Lodge Time Capsule discovered in the Health Lodge chimney during renovations in 2003.
1944 – Contributed by Ray Hayden
This history was presented to the Camp Horseshoe Staff in 1958 in honor of the 30th anniversary ofthe camp.
1958 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
The 1959 Merit Badge Schedule for Camp Horseshoe.
1959 – Contributed by Steve Brun
This appears to be some sort of pep-talk phozz used before or during the Staff Banquet in 1963.
1963 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
An example of a Camp Horseshoe contract for a camp staffer in 1971.
1971 – Contributed by Bill (William) K Mayer
An example of a Camp Horseshoe contract for a camp staffer in 1972.
1972 – Contributed by Bill (William) K Mayer
Here is a letter to Troop 85 about Summer Camp, plus a packing list. The letter isn’t actualy a HSR or CCC document, but it is interesting to see the cost was $38! The attached packing list is from HSR.
1975 – Contributed by Craig Dickson
This program, along with sermon notes, was used for the bicentennial July 4th, 1976 chapel service.
1976 – Contributed by Rev. James Goudie
Pennsylvania Archaeologist article chronicling the geological dig that occurred at Camp Horseshoe in 1988.
2006 – Contributed by Nick Landis
The “No Ordinary Soldier” Call Sheet for the film that began production at Camp Horseshoe before the novel coronavirus pandemic hit.
2020 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
The DuPont Connection
Display Details
This display shows the numerous correspondences that Pierre S. Dupont, famed industrialist and philanthropist, had with Chester County Council regarding the creation and funding of Camp Horseshoe.
Documents
March 7, 1927 – Scout Executive Charles M. Heistand writes to Pierre S. Dupont that a desirable location for a council camp has been found.
1927 – Contributed by Eric R. Lorgus
March 14, 1927 – T.C. Geesey, Pierre S. Dupont’s personal secretary, sends a letter to Charles M. Heistand requesting to see the prospective council camp site.
1927 – Contributed by Eric R. Lorgus
March 15, 1927 – Charles M. Heistand writes back to T. C. Geesey that they could arrange for a meeting to the council camp prospective property, but would need to arrange with property owners first.
1927 – Contributed by Eric R. Lorgus
March 18, 1927 – T.C. Geesey writes to his boss Pierre S. Dupont regarding that he saw during the council camp prospective property visit.
1927 – Contributed by Eric R. Lorgus
March 30, 1927 – T.C. Geesey sends a memo to Pierre S. Dupont regarding whether Dupont should purchase the camp for council.
1927 – Contributed by Eric R. Lorgus
April 1, 1927 – Pierre S. Dupont sends a letter to Charles M. Heistand regarding his recommendations for budgeting for camp.
1927 – Contributed by Eric R. Lorgus
April 4, 1927 – Charles M. Heistand sends a letter to Pierre S. Dupont where he discusses the history of camping in Chester County Council, but also states that the budget for camp development will be scaled back.
1927 – Contributed by Eric R. Lorgus
April 9, 1927 – Pierre Dupont, through his secretary T. C. Geesey, relays concerns about a) cutting back the budget too much to keep a worthwhile camp, and b) the level of financial commitment that the CCC community could provide for the development of the camp.
1927 – Contributed by Eric R. Lorgus
April 12, 1927 – Charles M. Heistand writes a letter to T. C. Geesey, Dupont’s secretary, assuring him that the commitment from the CCC community is strong as evidenced by fundraising efforts and participations by Scouts.
1927 – Contributed by Eric R. Lorgus
April 30, 1927 – T.C. Geesey, Pierre S. Dupont’s secretary, sends a letter to Charles M. Heistand stating that Mr. Dupont would contribute towards the camp development once half the money is raised.
1927 – Contributed by Eric R. Lorgus
May 10, 1927 – In a letter to T.C. Geesey, Charles M. Heistand states that it would be unlikely to raise the funds or commit to the prospective property in 1927, but that CCC would reach out to Dupont after half the money is raised.
1927 – Contributed by Eric R. Lorgus
October 13, 1927 – T. C. Geesey provides encouragement to Charles M. Heistand as the effort to raise funds for camp.
1927 – Contributed by Eric R. Lorgus
February 7, 1928 – Scout Executive Charles M. Heistand explains to Pierre S. Dupont that CCC wishes to raise the money for camp in short order in one shot so that in the future, contributors to Scouting in CCC will give directly to the council budget instead of contributing to the camp.
1928 – Contributed by Eric R. Lorgus
March 16, 1928 – Pierre Dupont writes to Charles M. Heistand that he thinks $43,400 will be sufficient for the camp budget if $58,600 is not able to be raised.
1928 – Contributed by Eric R. Lorgus
March 21, 1928 – Charles M. Heistand gives an update to Pierre S. Dupont on the state of fundraising for camp, which at this point is $50,500. Heistand also provides some commentary on the difficulty of raising money from parents of Scouts, the reason for which he surmises relates to the necessity of Scouting in the first place.
1928 – Contributed by Eric R. Lorgus
March 28, 1928 – Pierre S. Dupont makes good on his pledge and sends a check for $12,500 to Charles M. Heistand for the purposes of funding the new council camp.
1928 – Contributed by Eric R. Lorgus
March 28, 1928 – Charles M. Heistand acknowledge’s receipt of $12,500 from Pierre S. Dupont going towards the funding of the new council camp.
1928 – Contributed by Eric R. Lorgus
July 18, 1928 – Council President Robert W. Wolcott expresses his desire for Pierre S. Dupont to attend the Camp Horseshoe dedication on July 28th, 1928.
Editor’s Note: At this point in the lengthy exchange of letters between Dupont and CCC leaders, there has been no mention of the council camp name.
1928 – Contributed by Eric R. Lorgus
July 26, 1928 – Dupont regrets that he cannot attend the camp dedication on July 28, 1928 due to a prior obligation: entertaining (hosting) legendary orchestrator John Phillips Sousa and his band.
1928 – Contributed by Eric R. Lorgus
October 18, 1928 – Charles M. Heistand invites Pierre Dupont to camp to receive an award from members of “The Brotherhood of Those Who Serve Cheerfully”, otherwise known as the Order of the Arrow, referring to the CCC specific members in Octoraro Lodge 22 (founded 1926).
1928 – Contributed by Eric R. Lorgus
April 6, 1929 – F. A. McHugh, assistant to Pierre S. Dupont, writes to Council President Robert W. Wolcott that additional funding for the council budget for 3 years will be granted, along with an additional $1,500 for camp funding.
1929 – Contributed by Eric R. Lorgus
April 11, 1929 – Charles M. Heistand writes to Dupont’s secretary T.C. Geesey that he would like have Mr. Dupont visit the camp.
Editor’s Note: At this point in correspondence, it seems clear that Mr. Dupont has yet to visit the camp, nor has the name of the camp been mentioned.
1929 – Contributed by Eric R. Lorgus
April 13, 1929 – T.C. Geesey accepts the invitation from Charles Heistand to visit the camp with Mr. Dupont, but no specifics are settled upon.
1929 – Contributed by Eric R. Lorgus
April 30, 1929 – Council president Robert W. Wolcott writes a letter to Pierre S. Dupont acknowledging Dupont’s desire to see the camp, and then providing details of a site visit on May 4th, 1929 which will include several Chester County dignitaries including Owen J. Roberts.
1929 – Contributed by Eric R. Lorgus
June 3, 1929 – Charles M. Heistand thanks Mr. Dupont for his generous gift of 30 cots that will be used at the council camp.
1929 – Contributed by Eric R. Lorgus
Videos
During the 2021 HSRAA Annual Reunion, Damon Sinclair and Eric Lorgus explain the Dupont Connection to HSR, including Camp Horseshoe’s funding and the correspondence between Pierre S. Dupont and Charles M. Heistand that made the contributions happen.
2021 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
At the 2023 HSRAA Annual Reunion, Damon Sinclair discusses the Pierre S. DuPont connection with the funding and founding of Camp Horseshoe in 1927, and unveils the finished plaque in his honor.
2023 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
Pictures
Camp Director Reports
Display Details
Here are some early camping reports that the Camp Director of Camp Horseshoe would provide to the Executive Board of Chester County Council.
1941 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
1946 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
1947 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
1948 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
1950 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
1951 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
1952 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
Tour Stops
History Tour 3
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