Call Number:

02

Repository:

Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association

Extent:

0.2 linear feet

Language:

English

Date:

1927-1950 (inclusive)

Creator:

Mumbower family

Abstract:

Henry Mumbower (1826-1892) and his wife Catherine Maurer Mumbower (1828-1898) settled in Gwynedd Valley, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania in the mid 19th century. After purchasing a mill in the area in 1858, the family operated a grist mill, now known as Mumbower's Mill, for over half a century. Henry and Catherine had eight children. The Mumbower family papers, 1927-1950, contain a Mumbower family photograph album, a family reunion binder, and a few scans of Mumbower family photographs.

Henry Mumbower (1826-1892) was born in Bucks County and eventually settled down with his wife, Catherine Maurer Mumbower (1828-1898), in Gwynedd Valley, Pennsylvania (Montgomery County), where he purchased what is today known as Mumbower's Mill in 1858. Henry and Catherine had eight children: Kate, Lizzie, Emma, Henry Jr. (Harry), Sue, David, Hannah, and Mary. The mill was operated as a grist mill by Henry Mumbower and his sons, David Mumbower (1856-1930) and Henry 'Harry' Mumbower, Jr., from 1858 until about 1930.

The children of Henry and Catherine held family reunions, mostly in locations near the family mill, even after it ceased its operations. The reunions appear to have been heavily attended, although they did not necessarily occur every year on account of weather or events such as World War II.

This collection contains a Mumbower family photograph album, a family reunion binder, and a few scans of Mumbower family photographs.

The Mumbower family photograph album, circa 1930, contains black and white photos of family members of all ages. There are both individual and group shots. Many pictures are from some of the Mumbower family reunions. There is at least one photograph labeled "Mumbower Children" presumably depicting Henry and Catherine's children, circa 1930.

The Mumbower family reunion binder is titled "The Reunions of Henry and Catherine Mumbower's Descendents," and has lists of reunion attendees organized by the year of the reunion from 1927-1950. There is also a list of family members in the front of the binder, some with death dates and descriptions of how people are related to the family. Various notes have been written on many pages, and there are several reunion invitations present in the binder. Most of the reunions took place in Pennsylvania and north of Philadelphia including Willow Grove, West Point, and Chalfont. From 1943-1946 the reunions were postponed due to World War II and gas rationing. A partial finding aid for the reunion binder is available on-site.

An original photograph of the 1928 family reunion, held at the Mumbower Mill in Gwynedd Valley, Pennsylvania, is on display in the mill building.

Also available on-site are photocopies of deeds and some research relating to the Evans family, one of the first families to settle in the area of Gwynedd Valley. Abraham Evans built a mill in 1745 on the site where Mumbower's Mill now stands.