Tracing the Roots of Phoenixville Families

Robert Deger III carted milk jugs, dresses, silver artifacts and a multitude of photos into the Historical Society of the Phoenixville Area (HSPA) building for its latest exhibit, which is on genealogy in and around Phoenixville.

Despite the family name being on many of the items, Deger isn’t confident his family members will show up in droves for the exhibit, called "All in the Family: The Locals Tell Their Stories, Part I."

“They’re probably tired of hearing me talk about it,” he jokes.

Looking at the artifacts carefully placed in a glass box, ready for debut Friday evening, Deger tells how a special spoon was used to skim off the cream from milk jugs. He points out his grandfather’s name etched in a bottle. He shows off a badge from the West End Fire Company, where his great-grandfather was a charter member.

“I found all of this stuff in a breadbox, my grandmother’s breadbox,” Deger said.

Deger’s family has been in the Phoenixville area since the mid-1800s, and his grandfather started Deger’s Dairy on West Bridge Street in 1912. His two aunts owned a dress shop, and to this day, Degers and offshoots of the Deger clan remain in the area.

The Deger family isn’t the only one that dates way back in the area, and according to Sue Marshall, president of HSPA, the curator of the exhibit noticed that several HSPA members were part of Phoenixville families.

“We found members of our society have families that go way, way back” in the Phoenixville area, Marshall said.

In addition to the Deger family, there are also displays on the Reeves family and the Starr family. Both have been in the area since the iron and steel industry came to the borough, though the Starrs have since left the area, according to Marshall.

“The Starrs do come back to see the old house [at 10 N. Main St.], and to do some research,” Marshall said.

Joining the famous Phoenixville families in the exhibit are the Schofield, Sload and Funk families. In the part of the exhibit dedicated to them, you can find an intricate handmade quilt, a wedding dress worn by Catherine Sload and passports, certificates and other artifacts. George Irwin Sload patented the formula for Atta-Boy Cola, which was bought up by Coca-Cola.

The genealogy exhibit kicks off with a reception on First Friday, Oct. 7.

If You Go:

Where: , 204 Church St., Phoenixville

When: Opens First Friday, Oct. 7, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Regular hours are Wednesday and Fridays between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. and the first Sunday of each month from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Cost: Free

More Info: Visit www.hspa-pa.org for more information on this exhibit or on HSPA in general.