[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 130 (Tuesday, September 15, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2270]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING HISTORIC YELLOW SPRINGS

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                            HON. JIM GERLACH

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 15, 2009

  Mr. GERLACH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Historic Yellow 
Springs on the 35th Anniversary of its founding as a non-profit 
organization committed to preserving and enhancing one of the true 
historical treasures in Chester County, Pennsylvania.
   Thanks to the vision and leadership of Connie Fraley and other 
founders of Historic Yellow Springs, the organization purchased the 
picturesque 145-acre site and 13 historic buildings on the property in 
1974.
   The property traces its history back to the early 1700's when Lenape 
Indians first discovered ``yellow water'' bubbling from the ground. 
Stone ruins from America's first military hospital, which treated 
injured soldiers from the Valley Forge encampment during the 
Revolutionary War, are also part of the property. And the beauty of the 
property has inspired impressionistic painters and artists from the 
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts Country School during the early 
part of the 20th Century.
   Since establishing Historic Yellow Springs as a non-profit 
organization in 1974, the talented staff and dedicated members of the 
Board of Directors have done a tremendous job of offering creative 
programming to teach generation after generation about the history of 
the property and to provide exceptional educational and artistic 
opportunities by holding classes in the library, Connie's House and the 
Barn Studio.
   Staff and the Board of Directors will celebrate the 35th Anniversary 
during Founders Day on Sunday, September 20th and dedicate the recently 
restored Iron Spring Gazebo in the memory of Founder Connie Fraley.
   Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me today in 
congratulating Historic Yellow Springs as it celebrates this memorable 
milestone and in expressing sincere appreciation for the exemplary work 
of the staff and Board of Directors.

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