Call Number:

03

Repository:

Historic Langhorne Association

Extent:

12.5 linear feet

Language:

English

Date:

circa 1960-1973

Creator:

Vogenberger, Edward, 1899-1976

Abstract:

Edward and Marguerite Vogenberger, long-time residents of Langhorne, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, were avid travelers, covered bridge enthusiasts, and amateur photographers. The Vogenbergers were victims of a highly publicized, unsolved murder that took place in 1976. The Edward and Marguerite Vogenberger travel audiovisual materials and pamphlets, circa 1960-1973, includes slides, audiocassette tapes, film reel, pamphlets, and ephemera documenting the Vogenbergers' travels.

Edward and Marguerite Vogenberger were long-time residents of Langhorne, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. They owned and worked a 14-acre truck farm, from which they sold plants and vegetables to local residents. Avid travelers and covered bridge enthusiasts, they used their savings to take frequent trips across the United States, in particular to towns and sites in the tri-state area and along the East Coast. The couple were also enthusiastic photographers, and created slide shows of all of their trips. Edward was often asked to present the slides at local gatherings.

The Vogenbergers were victims of a highly publicized, unsolved (as of 2012) murder. At the age of 77, they were tortured and slain in their farmhouse on March 14, 1976. Police suspect the motive may have been financial: intruders may have thought the Vogenbergers had a significant amount of money stored in their home.

Edward Vogenberger (1899-1976) was the son of Frank C. Vogenberger (1867-1942) and Ella Jane Rutan (1867-1955). He was a member of the Knights of the Golden Eagle, Langhorne Castle #262. Marguerite Cornell Vogenberger (1899-1976), the daughter of Langhorne burgess Wilbur Cornell, worked as a teller for the People's National Bank (later renamed Central Penn Bank).

Bibliography:

Wingert, Bridget. "Who Killed the Vogenbergers?" The Advance of Bucks County, 1980.

This collection includes about 7,000 slides, 10 audiocassette tapes, and 1400 feet of film reel documenting the Vogenbergers' travel throughout the United States, especially the tri-state area and the East Coast. Most of the slides are labeled. A significant portion document covered bridges located in Pennsylvania and other states along the East Coast. Many slides also relate to Langhorne, in particular town events. Also included in the collection are booklets, postcards, pamphlets, and maps of places the couple visited.

The collection also includes publications from the National Society for the Preservation of Covered Bridges, 1960-1970, and Theodore Burr Covered Bridge Society, 1972-1973.

Many slides from this collection have been scanned and are viewable on computers on-site.