The Old York Road Historical Society (OYRHS) is beginning their free fall lecture series with “More Than Golf” by George Henninger on Wednesday, October 8 at 7:30pm.

From the lecture’s description:

In 1897, the city of Philadelphia was the leading manufacturing center in America. During this time, millionaires became plentiful, but social woes plagued the country. Mark Twain labeled the period “The Gilded Age” – serious social challenges masked by a thin gold gilding of economic expansion. In the midst of this, the wealthy were introduced to and embraced a new game called golf. The Huntingdon Valley Country Club was founded in 1897, and its original membership is a great illustration of the times.

In his book, More than Golf – Stories of how the original 1897 membership of Huntingdon Valley Country Club shaped Philadelphia and the Nation, George Henninger profiles 205 men and women who did amazing things. Names include Elkins, Wanamaker, Widener, Disston, Bond, Barney, Stotesbury, and Gribbel. Learn how club members created the “birdie” and “eagle” in golf talk, the “Bloody Mary” in beverage talk, as well as why the pink flamingoes at Hialeah have their origins at HVCC.

The series is held in-person at Abington Friends Meeting in The John Barnes Room, 520 Meetinghouse Road in Jenkintown and on Zoom.

The lecture series is sponsored by a grant from the Jenkinstown Lyceum. For more information, please call the Old York Road Historical Society at 215–886–8590 or visit www.oyrhs.org. You can also follow OYRHS on Facebook (oldyorkroadhistoricalsociety) and Instagram (oldyorkroadhistory).

For all the latest news, follow us on Facebook or sign up for Glenside Local’s “Daily Buzz” newsletter here.