The Christian C. Sanderson Museum in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania
News
FOUNDING MEMBERS HONORED
At right: Saturday, April 28, 2007 - Founding members Thomas Thompson, Andrew Wyeth, and Richard McClellan with current president Sally Jane Denk at the presentation of the commemorative bronze plaque.
Forty years ago in January 1967, Mr Andrew Wyeth had the vision to save the amazing life- collection of his old friend Christian Carmack Sanderson who lived from 1882 to 1966. To this end, a board of directors was formed with Mr. Wyeth at the helm, Arthur Beard, William Hoffman, Frank Rich and Thomas R. Thompson.
Shortly after the formation of the board, the home that Chris rented from Lottie Eachus was procured and the arduous process of repairs, painting, cleaning and sorting began.
I’m not sure if those early volunteers knew that 40 years later, the Sanderson Museum would still be open, having welcomed multiple thousands of visitors from virtually every state in the union as well as numerous foreign countries.
Despite growing pains and some rather challenging times in the mid 1990’s, the Sanderson Museum has emerged into the 21st century in good health, with an exciting new web site, an expanded newsletter, new 4-color rack cards, as well as a 30 minute DVD from Archaeo Films preserving valuable first-person testimonials from Chris’ friends and museum founders, as well as vintage home movies.
And now the Sanderson Museum is attracting an exciting new generation of board members bringing in grant monies and major donations to fund projects including a lengthy list of repairs currently underway.
And while we want to preserve the feeling that Chris himself could step out on this porch at any moment, we are also shifting our focus to highlight not only the incredible eight rooms of artifacts, but the amazing archival collection, indexed by Mr. Thompson, which includes almost 80 letters to Chris from Civil War veterans, including William Hamner, the quartermaster sergeant who lowered the flag at Ft Sumter during the surrender in 1861, and John Higgins, powder man on broadside gun #4 on the Merrimack.
As one of our youngest and newest members said after her first board meeting, “There are so many books to be written here!”
But in the last 40 years, there is something that has never been done. Our five founders have never been honored for their countless hours and dedication. If you notice, there is a bronze plaque to the right of the front door, honoring Christian Carmack Sanderson. The space to the left will now be occupied by a bronze commemorative plaque honoring our founding members.
The 2007 Sanderson Museum Board of Directors and museum volunteers, who share the stewardship of this museum, on this our 40th Anniversary, decided the best way to demonstrate our abiding respect for the founders was not to solicit public funds or to draw from the museums accounts, but rather for each of us to donate personally to this long over-due tribute.
Congratulations Gentlemen, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts!