Upper Milford Historical Society Needs Your Help

Did you or your ancestors grow up in Upper Milford?

Do you have old photographs of those folks tucked away in some dusty album or forgotten trunk in the attic or garage?

If so, you can help the township's historical society preserve family memories and Upper Milford history.

The Upper Milford Historical Society needs to borrow at least 180 old photographs of families, activities, buildings and landscapes in the township --"and we are far from it," said Rose Parry, its president.

Many of the photos will be included in a pictorial history book about the township that will be done by Arcadia Publishing as part of its "Images of America" series. "Contracts have been signed with the publisher," said Parry.

The "Images of America" series includes locally popular books such as Dorney Park and Hess's Department Store,  as well as Allentown, Bethlehem, Historic Easton, Catasauqua/North Catasauqua and other communities.

Parry said the historical society does have some photos from the 1950s on and could use more pictures of those more recent decades for the book.  But it is most interested in getting "good quality" Upper Milford photos from as far back as possible, even beyond the dawn of the 20th Century.

Parry said older residents may have died and their children, grandchildren or great-grandchildren may have old photos of them living, working and playing in the township.

She said the historical society wants to get the old photos as soon as possible.

Pictures should be placed in envelopes addressed to the Upper Milford Historical Society and delivered to the township building in the former Kings Highway Elementary School. Names, addresses and phone numbers of people providing the pictures must be included so they can be returned.

Because each photograph used in the book must have a 50-70-word caption, Parry said: "We would appreciate a little bit of history with the pictures, including the names of people who are in them. That will be very helpful."

She stressed old newspaper clippings are not useable.

Professional quality copies will be made from all the original pictures, which "definitely" will be returned. Even if a photo is not used in the book, a copy will be made for the historical society's files.

Parry said the Upper Milford edition of the series will be published in 2012 and will sell for about $20.

The historical society will get eight percent of the profit from each book sold, but Parry noted: "We're not expecting to sell mountains of books. It's not meant to be a money-maker, it's meant to preserve the history of Upper Milford Township.

"We're not doing it to make money but if we do make some money on it, we'll be very happy."

Members of the historical society's book committee include 92-year-old Henry Beitler, former postmaster of the Old Zionsville Post Office. Also on the committee are Barbara Harris, Neil Moser, John Fegley, Sid Unser and Faith Willis.