Allen Memorial Dining Hall

“One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well.”
–Virginia Woolf

Exhibit Details

Food is always on the mind of young Scouts. One of the first buildings erected at Camp Horseshoe was the Allen Memorial Dining Hall. Funding for the construction came in large part from the Manufacturer’s Casualty Insurance Company of Philadelphia and the building was named for the company’s president, James K. Allen.

Displays in this Exhibit:

Tour Stop

Exterior Photos

Traditions

Dining Area Photos

Kitchen

Construction

Videos

Raise the Roof Campaign

History

Memorabilia

Menus

Food Service Directors

Jigsaw Puzzle

Exterior Photos

Display Details

The Allen Memorial Dining Hall has undergone lots of changes over the years – this display chronicles its transformation through time.

An early picture of Chef standing outside of the new Allen Memorial Dining Hall. The steps lead to the Cook’s sleeping quarters.

Early picture of the Allen Memorial Dining Hall open for business.

Here is an old shot of the Allen Memorial Dining Hall from the early days of camp.

An early group picture on Horseshoe mess hall porch.

Scouts file into the Horseshoe Mess Hall ‘filling station’.

Allen Memorial Dining Hall as it originally looked.

The East side of Dining Hall… note the transformer on the pole.

A view of the kitchen exterior in the 1970s.

View of the back of the Dining Hall in the 1970s.

View of the back of the Allen Memorial Dining Hall in the 1970s.

The Parade Field and Dining Hall before the Parade Field renovations in the 2000s and Dining Renovations of 1980 and 2011.

The Allen Memorial Dining Hall as seen from the road coming up from the White House.

The Allen Memorial Dining Hall after the addition of the new kitchen.

Another view of the Northern Entrance of the Dining Hall.

The Allen Memorial Dining Hall as seen from the “Zook Lawn” on the Southern side.

The dining hall during a quiet time between meals.

The Allen Memorial Dining Hall back in the old days.

Here is a view from the North side of the Allen Memorial Dining Hall.

The focal point of the summer camp program, where everyone meets up 3 times a day, here is the Dining Hall on aerial display.

Fred Stoudt washes his hand before mealtime at the Allen Memorial Dining Hall Wash Stations, built in 2009.

During the April service weekend of 1973, OA members work on doing some sort of maintenance at the Allen Memorial Dining Hall.

Traditions

Display Details

There are many traditions in the Allen Memorial Dining Hall – including lining up outside to be called in with the straightest line during summmer camp, singing songs, saying the meal’s grace, and much more.

Dining Area Photos

Display Details

This is where the magic happens – eating your meals, singing songs, and of course, announcements!

Scouts arrive for a meal and exchange greetings with Karl ‘Moose’ Winsch.

The salar bar was a new feature for the 2011 summer camping season.

The Allen Memorial Dining Hall is filled to the brim here.

Dinner in the dining hall, a bright spot in the day! …in the late ’60s.

Jim Goudie (front right), of the Handicraft Department, enjoys a camp meal with his troop, Frazer 176, in the late ’60s. The long tables were replaced by square tables a few years later.

The head table crew prepares for another meal…

These Scouts are doing what every Scout does … gulping a great meal!

Dining Hall with tables set by Stockade.

This is probably 1950s when we’re in the Mess Hall before it was expanded! Note the long tables.

The NE-539-14 Wood Badge staff has dinner in the Allen Memorial Dining Hall.

These were the days when we sat 10 at a table with the Stockade Leader at the end… always served first by the KP.

All the plaques from one location of the Dining Hall were removed so that the wall can be “pushed out” several feet as part of the expansion project.

“Tireless Guardian on our way, thou hast kept us well today…Amen; Seats; Rest!”…. Let’s eat!

This Scout from Troop 51 enjoyed every last drop of his lunch.

The Dining Hall is a great place to get a big group photo – just take a look at Troop 52 from Doylestown, PA as an example!

The new dining hall section hosts one of the leadership skills sections at the 2012 NYLT conference.

Just 2 hours to go before the fun begins, the 2014 Section NE-6B Conclave Staff assembles for their marching orders.

Karl Winsch, Mike Arles, and Mike Penzone share a laugh in the Allen Memorial Dining Hall.

Members of Octoraro Lodge #22 paid $10 for a fundraiser breakfast with Tom Murphy in the Allen Memorial Dining Hall as part of the “Buzz the Beard” campaign to help reforestation efforts at HSR.

Scouts convene for breakfast in the Allen Memorial Dining Hall.

Dave Clark from Paoli 81 (right) looks to the camera in the Allen Memorial Dining Hall.

Troop 78, featuring G. Ernest Heegard on the left, has a good time during an evening meal at the Allen Memorial Dining Hall.

Here is a panoramic of the Allen Memorial Dining Hall interior.

Here is another panoramic of the Allen Memorial Dining Hall interior.

The American flag still has 48 stars, indicating this is pre-1959, and includes the first addition of more seating which occurred in the late 1950s. There also seems to be a mix of long tables and square tables.

Kitchen

Display Details

The Allen Memorial Dining Hall kitchen has undergone significant changes over the years, including getting new equipment in the 1950s, getting demolished and rebuilt in 1980, and being repaired in 2025.

Modern kitchen – ready for action.

Horseshoe’s new kitchen had major league ventilation and lots of work area.

Large pot washing sinks, fryers and more ventilation.

Industrial size pots and mixers.

Kitchen deep fryers.

Kitchen sinks.

The kitchen’s dish washer.

Stainless steel serving line.

Scouts file in the In door (not the Out door) to pick up their grilled cheese sandwiches, served by staffer Pete Demyanovich.

Checking out the new kitchen equipment and getting ready for Camp.

The cooks line up the platters of food for the troops.

This staffer is using the donut machine for doughy goodness.

Preparing food for the masses.

Stirring the pot.

The camp cook prepares a meal.

The Food Service Crew preps the kitchen during the 2016 Fall Fellowship weekend.

The kitchen staff prepares the speed racks before their next meal. With 400 people in the dining hall, the kitchen needs to dish out the food as fast as possible.

Josh “Wookie” Foreman in the Camp Horseshoe kitchen.

Associate Lodge Adviser Gus Sauerzopf works in the dining hall kitchen preparing food for one of the meals at the 2025 June Service Weekend.

Bruce Goodman is dishing out gravy in the Allen Memorial Dining Hall kitchen during the 2019 Section NE-6B conclave. His efforts even made the Sunday morning edition of the conclave newsletter.

The Kitchen Crew at the June 2017 OA Service Weekend.

The Kitchen Staff prepares butter noodles for the evening dinner at the 2022 June Service Weekend.

Construction

Display Details

In addition to the initial construction in 1928, the Allen Memorial Dining Hall underwent major construction in the late 1950s to expand the dining area, again in 1980 to repair the kitchen, in 2011 to expand the dining area and allow space for a salad bar, in 2024 to repair the roof (see Raise the Roof Campaign), and in 2025 to repair the kitchen.

Dining Hall under construction.

The foundation for the Dining Hall expansion starts to take shape.

The roof on the Dining Hall has its shingles removed in preparation for the expansion.

The Dining Hall has its porch removed so that the expansion can be performed.

The outside of the new expansion area of the Allen Memorial Dining Hall.

All the Southside plaques had to be removed in order for the addition to be reconstructed.

Lighting fixtures are hung from the ceiling of the new dining hall addition.

The new addition of the Dining Hall is painted and nearly ready for service.

The rafters of the Allen Memorial Dining Hall expansion area.

The Allen Memorial Dining Hall expansion, nearly complete.

The flooring arrives for the dining hall expansion.

The room has been added to the Allen Memorial Dining Hall expansion in 2011.

The Allen Memorial Dining Hall expansion, as seen from below the foundation.

The frame of the new section of the Allen Memorial Dining Hall is nearly complete.

The Allen Memorial Dining Hall gets a roof for its new wing.

The new South side of the Dining Hall begins to take shape.

Construction is well under way as the frame of the new South Side of the Allen Memorial Dining Hall is taking shape.

Plaque added to the Dining Hall expansion that commemorates Oscar Lasko’s generous support of Camp Horseshoe for this project.

The fifty year old kitchen is loosing shape as the demolition crew removes the roof and siding.

The front-end loader helped speed up some of the demolition but strong backs for manual labor were used for much of the dismantling of the old structure.

If you look carefully, you can see the front-end loader that is reducing the old kitchen structure to a pile of rubble.

Much of the demolition of the old kitchen required manual labor.

Lee McIlvaine mans the front-end loader used to speed up the demolition of the old kitchen.

The new kitchen block walls are rising.

The new foundation for the new kitchen is well underway.

Front-end loader and strong backs are used to dismantle the old kitchen in preparation for the new state of the art Horseshoe kitchen.

The new kitchen starts to take shape as the walls go up.

Once the debris was removed, the new walls could be laid.

The new kitchen addition to the Allen Memorial Dining Hall gets some new siding.

The new kitchen is coming together.

Major addition made to the kitchen and storeroom area at the Allen Memorial Dining Hall.

Major addition to the Dining Hall is underway for an expanded kitchen and storeroom facilities.

The Allen Memorial Dining Hall was updated with a new state of the art kitchen in 1980.

Demolition of the old kitchen required muscle. Identified in this picture are Karl ‘Moose’ Winsch, Bill Trowill and Mike D’Antonio.

Once the debris was removed, the new walls could be laid.

The Camp Horseshoe Dining Hall’s kitchen damage sustained significant water damage in January 2025.

The kitchen of the Allen Memorial Dining Hall is prepared to get new insulation.

The Allen Memorial Dining Hall kitchen gets new drywall in the wake of water damage.

Here is a list of contributors the Allen Memorial Dining Hall Kitchen Restoration project in 2025.

During the 2025 June OA Service Weekend, Camping VP Pete Motel works on finalizing the renovation work for the rear wall of the Dining Hall.

The back wall of the Allen Memorial Dining Hall was repaired at the 2025 June OA Service Weekend.

Videos

Display Details

Here are tons of videos of the Allen Memorial Dining Hall from 1943 to today.

See Also

Click HERE to check out some “music videos” that took place in the Allen Memorial Dining Hall.

Lining Up for Breakfast
Scouts line up during Monday Breakfast at the Allen Memorial Dining Hall.
2005 – Contributed by Anonymous

Plating Pancakes
Karl “Moose” Winsch plates blueberry pancakes for breakfast.
2016 – Contributed by Mike Arles

Lily the Pink
A camp favorite, Lily the Pink tells the tale of a curious concoction used to treat all manner of ailments. Strangely, its actual application has never been seen in the Health Lodge.
1995 – Contributed by John B. Rettew III

Dinner
Lining up for dinner is worth it once you get in and start chowing down.
1995 – Contributed by John B. Rettew III

Sunday Lunch
The Super Bowl of Camping Program – the Camp Horseshoe Sunday Lunch! Awards, songs and a culmination of a high-energy week ushered in by a feast.
1995 – Contributed by John B. Rettew III

Sunday Lunch
The staff hands out awards and provides a cheering section before singing “Trail to Eagle” to conclude the week at summer camp.
2001 – Contributed by Alexander Musto

Pudding Song
Staff members Connor Joyce, Alex Musto and Noah Austin perform the pudding song in front of a captive audience.
2002 – Contributed by Alexander Musto

Pudding Song
Chris “Spud” Truitt, Matt Talbot, and Jim Montich perform the ever-popular Pudding Song.
2002 – Contributed by Alexander Musto

Sunday Lunch
The favorite time of the week – Sunday Lunch! Where the food is just a bit better and the spirit is off the charts…
2002 – Contributed by Alexander Musto

Konga Line
The staff and campers get together to form a Konga Line around the Dining Hall for “The Cat Came Back”.
2001 – Contributed by Alexander Musto

Old Lady Leary
Program Director John Callahan leads a rousing rendition of “Old Lady Leary” in the Allen Memorial Dining Hall.
2001 – Contributed by Alexander Musto

B.I.N.G.O.
Program Director Chris Helmkamp leads a rousing rendition of “B.I.N.G.O. Go BINGO!” before Casey Snyder introduces the evening game.
2002 – Contributed by Alexander Musto

Dining Hall Phozz
Shooting Sports Director Andrew Coe and Program Director John Callahan phozz up the Boomtown campwide game for later that night.
2001 – Contributed by Alexander Musto

Monday Morning Staff Intros
Camp Director Mike Berkeihiser introduces the message of the day and then the Camp Horseshoe Staff introduces themselves in innovative ways.
2005 – Contributed by Anonymous

Staff Introduction Finale
The Horseshoe staff finishes off the introductions with their cheer Allemaine! Allemaine!
2005 – Contributed by Anonymous

Dining Hall Cleanup
Andrew Rettew starts cleaning up after dinner, one of the roles of waiter / KP duty at Camp Horseshoe.
1995 – Contributed by John B. Rettew III

4th of July in the Dining Hall
The staff puts on a show during the 4th of July dinner meal at the Allen Memorial Dining Hall.
1995 – Contributed by John B. Rettew III

Outside of the Dining Hall
Here we see the exterior of the Allen Memorial Dining, highlighting the “Zook Lawn” and the “Stoltzfus” porch.
1995 – Contributed by John B. Rettew III

Andy Smith films a bunch of people trying to eat their food but are being distracted by… Andy Smith. Also, John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt is in there too.
1992 – Contributed by Andrew Smith

Pie to the Face
Octoraro 22 Lodge Adviser Andrew Coe gets a pie in the face to help raise funds for NOAC 2015.
2014 – Contributed by Andrew Coe

Setting Up
Staff members and volunteers set up for the annual Camp Horseshoe staff banquet.
2014 – Contributed by Andrew Coe

Sword Fighting
Scouts learn the skills of sword fighting – in the Allen Memorial Dining Hall of all places – at the 2015 Camp Horseshoe Hunger Games Camporee.
2015 – Contributed by Andrew Coe

Hornaday Award
Director of Camping and Octoraro Lodge 22 Staff Adviser Ray Hayden is presented the very rare Hornaday Award at the April 2015 Service Weekend at Camp Horseshoe. Scout Executive Charlie Rogers and Dr. Gary Stolz presented the award in front over nearly 300 Scouts and Scouters.
2015 – Contributed by Andrew Coe

Dining Hall in 1943
Here is a look at the outside of the Allen Memorial Dining Hall in 1943.
1943 – Contributed by Tom McCabe

Dining Hall in 1944
Scouts line up for a meal at the Allen Memorial Dining Hall in 1944.
1944 – Contributed by Tom McCabe

Raise the Roof Campaign

Display Details

In late November 2023, a video social media campaign was started to raise funds for replacing the Allen Memorial Dining Hall roof. The project was completed in April 2024. The videos in this display show the social media campaign while the pictures demonstrate the construction of the new roof.

Pictures

Videos

Documents

Pictures

Videos

Dining Hall History
This video gives a brief rundown of the history of the Allen Memorial Dining Hall along with a few lesser-known facts about the coal kitchen.
2023 – Contributed by Andrew Coe

Dining Hall Slideshow
This slideshow captures snapshots from the nearly 100 years of the Allen Memorial Dining Hall.
2023 – Contributed by Andrew Coe

Ernie Heegard Testimonial
Ernie Heegard talks about the importance of the Dining Hall as the “stage” of Camp Horseshoe.
2023 – Contributed by Andrew Coe

Testimonials
Andrew Coe, Bill Grubb, and Steve Miller talk about their experiences at the Allen Memorial Dining Hall.
2023 – Contributed by Andrew Coe

Testimonials
Jim Goudie, John Kemmerer, and Damon Sinclair talk about their experiences at the Allen Memorial Dining Hall.
2023 – Contributed by Andrew Coe

Testimonials
Ernie Heegard, Steve Miller, and Chuck Coxson talk about their experiences at the Allen Memorial Dining Hall.
2023 – Contributed by Andrew Coe

Meal Time
This video talks about the importance of a shared meal, and what better place to have that than in the Allen Memorial Dining Hall.
2023 – Contributed by Andrew Coe

Pete Motel Addresses the Campaign
CCC VP of Camping and Properties Pete Motel talks about the importance of giving to the “Raise the Roof” campaign.
2023 – Contributed by Andrew Coe

Documents

Here is the “Raise the Roof” plaque proof made before the plaque was purchased.
2024 – Contributed by Jake Segal

History

Display Details

Listed below is some historical information related to the Allen Memorial Dining Hall as well as its namesake, James K. Allen.

Biography of James K. Allen

Contributed by Andrew Coe

The dining hall was built through the generosity of the Manufacturer’s Casualty Insurance Company of Philadelphia during the presidency of James K. Allen, hence the name of “Allen Memorial”.

James Kindle Allen was born on February 26, 1877 and died May 27, 1937.

History of Allen Memorial Dining Hall

Contributed by Andrew Coe

Built in 1928 was perhaps in many ways the most important building on the property — the Dining Hall. Originally being laid out as a T, the building was designed for maximum ventilation and light. The Dining Hall is large and roomy with a large fireplace and a high peaked roof.¹

The first stove in the kitchen was operated on wood and a good strong wind. On calm days it was doubtful if the meals would be on time, or if it was, it would seldom be hot. Later, the stove was adapted to use coal. Many will remember the old coal shed in back of the building next to the shower, where, after taking a shower, your feet were blacker than they were before you went in! This, however, all changed when bottled gas was used and the water was heated automatically.¹

The Dining Hall in the 1940s was about half the size it is today. There were long tables which would sit four campers on a side with the Stockade Leader at one end and the Assistant Stockade Leader on the other end. As the food was served it would first be given to the Stockade Leader who drew his portion and then passed by the Scouts to the Assistant at the other end to draw his portion and then the Scouts would be able to take their food. And if a Scout happened to drop food, a chant would arise from all corners of the Dining Hall – ‘Johnny get the drip pan, Johnny get the drip pan, etc.’ The embarrassed Scout would then have to go to the kitchen to fetch a huge pan of water and a sponge to clean up the mess.¹

In 1980, the old kitchen was completely removed, even down to the foundation, and then replaced by a state-of-the-art kitchen still used today.

In 2011, through the generous support of Oscar Lasko, the Allen Memorial Dining Hall was expanded on its southern end to make it approximately 33% larger.

¹J.B. Rettew, “The Spirit of the Horseshoe”, 1994.

Memorabilia

Display Details

The Allen Memorial Dining Hall has had a few memorabilia items issued over the years, and they are displayed here.

Menus

Display Details

Ever wonder what the food was like in the old days of Camp Horseshoe? This ought to give you an idea…

1977 Dining Hall Menus.
1977 – Contributed by G. Ernest Heegard

1980 Dining Hall Menus.
1980 – Contributed by G. Ernest Heegard

1981 Dining Hall Menus.
1981 – Contributed by Alan Hicks

1982 Dining Hall Menus.
1982 – Contributed by Alan Hicks

Food Service Directors

Display Details

Here is the listing of known Food Service Directors for Camp Horseshoe.

1928 – Contributed by Karl W. Winsch

1964
Dennis Stengle

1965
Howard Hutton

1966
Unknown

1967
Eric Pennell

1968
Rick Walker

1969
Joel Moore

1970-1971
Bob Hartman

1972-1973
Rob Hopkins

1974
Dave Cline

1975
Stu Watson

1976
Jim Dicecco

1977
Rob Hopkins

1978
Frank Clark

1979-1981
Alan Hicks

1982-1983
Clark Wigley

1984
Mark Smith

1985
Tim Lund

1986
Denis Wade

1987
Lafayette Coffie Jr.

1988-1989
Mike McKinney

1990
Dave Rost

1991-1992
Dan Grace

1993
Clint Lewis

1994
Mike McKinney

1995-1996
Janis Brandow

1997
Jim Pine

1998
Mike McKinney

1999-2000
Brian Williams

2001
Eric Baughman

2002-2004
Mark Herman

2005
Evan Ellwanger

2006
Devon Roper

2007
Brett D’Antonio

2008
Jason Cecco

2009-2010
Jermaine Race

2011
Kevin Coltrinari

2012
Ben Reddy

2013-2014
Brian Della Ferra

2015-2017
Paul Bradley

2018
Richie Harbaugh

2019
Galen Gerber

Jigsaw Puzzle

Display Details

Enjoy this jigsaw puzzle of the Allen Memorial Dining Hall. Press this button to play on Jigsaw Planet’s website.

2018 – Contributed by Andrew Coe

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Last updated December 12, 2025