Organization-Collingdale Library Association

Location: 823 MacDade Boulevard

Hours of service; Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 12-8 pm, Wednesday 10-8 pm. Friday 12-4 pm, Saturday 10-5 pm.

Founded by: The Women's Club in May 1937.

Mission Statement: To provide easily accessible information to the community and to foster the love of reading.

A Brief History: When the Women's Club was formed in September 1936, the first order of business was to establish a public library. The ladies felt that having a public library meant that the growing community would be well educated and be able to succeed in life. The first books in the library were literature and reference books accumulated by the Women's Club and donated. Many of the founders of the library dedicated their lives to serving the community through the library. The Trinity Episcopal Church in Collingdale (now Pilgrim Seventh Day Adventist Church) actually leased the land for the new library to the library association for $1. The library association also had use of the old rectory building. The rectory building became the library for many years until it was deemed unsafe in 1974 and demolished to make way for a new building in 1976. The photograph above shows this library in 1987 when the association celebrated its 50th year.

The Future- Unfortunately the future looks pretty grim for the association. The Friends of the Collingdale Library, a subsidiary of the association disbanded in 2014 due to lack of interest and time restraints. The void of not having this voice has been keenly felt when a new library director came on board in July bringing many new changes.

The issue is two-fold. The changing demographic of the borough has created a crisis in funding and resources. Equally challenging is the push to change the library's purpose from its original intent and provide what essentially is a computerized library system. This means in effect that the library in its present form will soon cease to exist. Instead of a library with reference books and non-fiction books that are easily handled, you'll now have to request those books from a repository.

Collingdale History Day Celebrates Collingdale's 125th Anniversary

Collingdale History Day is this Saturday, October 15th at St. Joseph's Church in Collingdale. We have a lot of fun activities planned for all ages. You can shop for beautiful jewelry or purchase handmade crochet items for your child.

John & Jan Haigis will entertain us from 10 am to 12 pm with a selection of old songs and transportation hits. More OcTrolleyFest activities are available at the Darby Free Library from 11 am to 5 pm.

Why not stop on by? We'll be holding an raffle auction of Collingdale items at 1 pm. All monies go to the Collingdale Historical Society's general fund. We hope to have an publicly accessible history room for everyone to learn about their local history soon.

Collingdale History Day Celebrates Collingdale's 125th Anniversary

One week to go. The tension is high but I'm excited to say that we have 3 transportation organizations that are going to be at this event. We'll have fun with switching games, train and trolley displays and antique cars. There will also be jewelry and food vendors. Why not come and join us?

Collingdale History Day

Saturday, October 15th

10 am to 2 pm

St. Joseph's Church 500 Woodlawn Avenue

Collingdale, PA

You'll be sorry you missed it....

Celebrating Transportation at Collingdale History Day

Hi,

We're heading down to the wire with our transportation themed Collingdale History Day. Three transportation organizations will be setting up tables and having transportation themed activities. There will be food vendors, crafts vendors and historic organizations at this event.

We're also celebrating the 12th annual OcTrolleyFest with scarecrow making and a Selfie contest. Kids from area elementary schools are also participating in the annual trolley art contest.

New this year is a transportation themed baking contest. The contest is open to all ages and is free to enter. You can register by emailing collingdalehistory@gmail.com, calling Jennifer at Cupcakeology (610)246-8910 or by downloading the form at www.Facebook.com/collingdalehistoricalsociety.com.

We have 6 sponsors and are in the midst of creating a booklet on Collingdale. 125th anniversary merchandise will also be available for purchase.

Collingdale History Day

Hi,

You probably thought I'd forget about this. Of course not! We're actually getting down to the wire with this continuation of the 125th anniversary of Collingdale. As in the past years we will have tables with different organizations, food and craft vendors and music. What's different this year is:

A Baking contest!....Yup, that's right. We're having our 1st ever baking contest and you're all invited to participate. In conjunction with this year's theme of transportation, we want contestants to think and create culinary masterpieces that have to do with transportation. You could make trolley cupcakes or bus cakes....You get the idea. I want everyone to have fun with this. No idea is too crazy as long as it's edible.

Collingdale History Day will be held this year on Saturday, October 15th from 10 am to 2 pm at St. Joseph's Church parking lot...500 Woodlawn Avenue, Collingdale....

I'm still looking for vendors....$15 table space....You will need to bring your own tables and chairs. You can also get involved in the booklet...sponsors and patrons are welcome. Fill out form below...

To get clearer copy, e-mail me at collingdalehistory@gmail.com. Thank you!

The 125th Celebration Continues....Collingdale History Day

The 4th of July celebrations with the exception of the cancelled fireworks went off without a hitch.
We had a lot of people show up at our historical display down at Collingdale Park. It was the largest turn out we had for a long while too. Estimates are that around 500 people or more showed up during the 5 hour stay down in the Park. For those who missed this display, we will be setting it up again during Collingdale History Day. This day was set aside to celebrate the rich history of Collingdale back in 2013. The Collingdale Historical Society, founded February 11, 2013 is dedicated to educating young and old about Collingdale's rich historic resources. We also support local organizations in Collingdale in their missions. You can become a part of what we're doing in Collingdale. Become a member of Collingdale Historical Society and join us as we preserve our local history for future generations....Collingdale History Day will be celebrated on October 15th...Our theme is transportation and its impact on the incorporation of Collingdale.

Two Weeks and Counting...Collingdale's 125th Anniversary Celebration

Hi, I just thought I'd put up the Facebook link for the anniversary celebration...Collingdale Borough's 125th Anniversary. This year's theme in honor of the 125th anniversary celebration is "Collingdale Through the Years." It's a bit cheesy but I think it will stick. Hegeman String Band will be playing in the parade and at the Collingdale Community Center in the evening before the fireworks.

Delaware County's longest running mayor will be leading the parade in a horse and carriage. This definitely fits with the theme. Collingdale Borough will have two floats, one with the big birthday cake and one with the King and Queen of Collingdale. It does promise to be a bigger parade than other years with the string band, floats and antique cars.

I have to admit that I am looking forward to this. I'm praying for good weather and a great turnout for the borough. Just a reminder: Please come visit us down at Collingdale Park at the historical display and share your memories of Collingdale with the historical society. Food, games and other activities will be available down at the park. Activities start with a flag raising at 10 am and end with a community softball game at 2 pm.

Fireworks will be at the Collingdale Community Center at 9 pm....Rain Date is July 9th.

Update on Collingdale's 125th Anniversary Celebration

I noticed that I haven't posted anything for a little while. I definitely want to keep everyone following this blog updated on events for the 125th anniversary. We have less than three weeks before the big 4th of July celebration. Tension is high to get everything right, but the response has been good.

The hope still is that we have all the organizations participating in the parade. I know the excuses. "I have plans to go down the shore. My family is coming or I have to be with them." I'm here to tell you that it is important, if you want to support Collingdale, to make plans to be there. Otherwise your organization will be forgotten...:-(. I have tried to get support and have received some support...yet I can't help but think that there are others that are just waiting in the wings. If I haven't asked you to participate in the parade and make sure your organization is represented, I'm asking now.

Registration is next Wednesday, June 22nd at the Collingdale Community Center. For more information, visit the Collingdale 125th Anniversary, Collingdale Historical Society or the Collingdale Connection Facebook group pages.

So, I'm hoping for a great turnout for the 4th of July...No excuses....

Four More Weeks Until the Grand 4th of July Celebration for Collingdale's 125th Anniversary

Boy....Time is sure going fast! There is still so much to do! Yet I can count on everyone to participate. It is very uplifting to see the many banners around town. I love looking at them and feel kind of proud of the participation.

I'm still crossing fingers over the parade as things start to heat up. I love that so many have already volunteered to help. There is still time.....registrations will be taken up to June 22nd for the parade. I'm attempting with a little help (of course) to incorporate all the organizations, businesses and churches...much like I had with the book. Yes, it is still available...and Yes, I still have a few left.

I pray that we do have good weather this year...unlike the years before when it rained...:-(. There is a rain date of July 9th...but it won't be the same.

Six Weeks To the Grand Celebration

It's hard to believe that there is only six weeks left until the July 4th celebration. It seem like only yesterday they had the initial meeting. The celebration will be grand....that's the hope. The flags, t-shirts and hats are selling fast and furious.

Our concern about raising enough funds to meet expenses has eased a little. The parade will definitely be longer than it has been in past years. My biggest issue is getting people to dress up and ride in the parade.

I just don't think we have the funds to do it....at least the society doesn't. I'm grateful that most of the planning is being done by borough council. We do have some lively discussions at the meetings about the 4th....I am hoping to get some of that excitement going for Collingdale History Day on October 15th.

Admittedly I am nervous about how everything will go that day. I'll need a lot of help to pull it off. I just not sure I can do it myself....and I really don't want to. I'd love to have at least a dozen volunteers who love Collingdale come out to support us for both the 4th of July and for Collingdale History Day in October. Please spread the word.

Collingdale's 125th Anniversary does have a Facebook page....:-)....We also have a Facebook group page....Collingdale Historical Society. May 23rd is our 1st planning meeting for Collingdale History Day....7 pm....tentative Pho 4 Seasons.

An Update on the 125th Anniversary Celebration

Collingdale's 125th Anniversary celebration is going full speed ahead. The committee has been very busy planning fundraisers for the celebration...that will kick off on July 4th. Fireworks, games, music and a parade are planned for this celebration.

Collingdale History Day/OcTrolleyFest 2016 will be on Saturday, October 15th from 10 am to 2 pm at St. Joseph's Church parking lot. Baking and Costume contests are in the works for this day. The B & O Historical Society will be there to showcase the railroad's contribution to Collingdale's existence. We're also planning to have some other transportation themed groups.

Collingdale Gala....a night to celebrate Collingdale will be held on November 19th. Keep looking at this blog and the Facebook page for more details.

Collingdale t-shirts, hats and other memorabilia are now available for purchase.

Celebrating Collingdale's 125th Anniversary

This year Collingdale borough is planning a huge celebration on July 4th. Funds and volunteers will be needed to help. The initial "kick-off" meeting was good. There was the reminder that we don't have much time. There was the reminder that we needed all the organizations in Collingdale to back it up.

Plans are in the works to allow all those who love Collingdale to contribute to the celebration. The Collingdale Historical Society is committed to keeping the history alive for future generations. At the present time, Facebook is the primary resource for getting information out. On the Collingdale History Project page....little tidbits of local information can be found. On the Collingdale Historical Society group page, discussions of local and national topics that affect Collingdale can be found.


I will start posting updates on this year's events on this blog. Thank you for all of those who continue to view this blog.