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By Jordyn Dutko '26
Collection Overview
Title: Clarence Spohn Ephrata Printing Research Collection
ID: MSS/MSS-0036
Extent: 1.25 Linear Feet
Scope and Contents of the Materials
The Clarence Spohn Ephrata Printing Research Collection consists of Spohn’s research notes on printing that occurred in Ephrata, Pennsylvania, mainly during the 18th century. The collection features annotated photocopies and photographs of the books and broadsides he studied and copies of documents associated with key figures in Ephrata at that time. It also contains notes for his article, "The Bauman/Bowman Family of the Cocalico Valley: Printers, Papermakers, and Tavern-Keepers", featured in the Historical Society of the Cocalico Valley’s 1994 journal, as well as his lectures given at the Ephrata Cloister from 1995-1996.
Collection Historical Note
Clarence Edwin Spohn was born to Arthur Lloyd Spohn and Pearl Irene (Barnhart) Spohn on November 22, 1948, in Ephrata, Pennsylvania. He grew up on Washington Avenue in Ephrata and his neighbor J. Harry Hibshman, president of Ephrata National Bank, spent countless hours sharing knowledge with him about the town.
Motivated to forge a history-oriented career of his own, Spohn spent 26 years with the Pennsylvania Historical Museum Commission as a tour guide and tour guide supervisor (1966-1988) and later a museum educator (1988-1996) at the Historic Ephrata Cloister. He is also a past president (1977-79) and curator (1980-1985) of the Historical Society of the Cocalico Valley, as well as the author of 35 articles, journals, and books (including a two-volume history of the former Mountain Springs Hotel) that relate to the history of Ephrata. Additionally, he was elected mayor of Ephrata for two years, serving from January 1982 to April 1984. He and his wife, Marcia, lived in Lititz for 29 years.
Spohn was a member of the United States Air Force, serving a tour in Taiwan from 1968-1972. He was also a member of various historical organizations, including: the Ephrata Cloister Associates, the Pennsylvania Society Sons of the Revolution, the History Society Berks County, the Lancaster County History Society, the Pennsylvania German Society, the Lancaster Mennonite History Society, the History Society Cocalico Valley (honorary), the Masons Lodge, and the American Legion. He was listed as a noteworthy museum educator by Marquis Who's Who.
Box and Folder Listing
Browse by Box:
[Box 1],
[
Box 2],
[
Box 3],
[
All]
- Box 1
- Folder 1: Sample Border Ornaments, etc.
- Folder 2: Sample Asteriks, Stars, etc.
- Folder 3: Sample Curlicues, etc.
- Folder 4: Sample Crosses, etc.
- Folder 5: Sample Seals, Tailpieces & Misc. Illustrations
- Folder 6: Type Samples- Brotherhood (Work Copies)
- Folder 7: Copies for Publication Pgs #1-#100 Brotherhood Bound Imprints
- Folder 8: Copies for Publication Pgs #101-#200 Brotherhood Bound Imprints
- Folder 9: Copies for Publication Pgs #201-#300 Brotherhood Bound Imprints
- Folder 10: Copies for Publication Pgs #301-#400 Brotherhood Bound Imprints
- Folder 11: Copies for Publication Pgs #401-#500 Brotherhood Bound Imprints
- Folder 12: Copies for Publication Pgs #501-#700 Brotherhood Bound Imprints
- Folder 13: Copies for Publication Pgs #701-800 Brotherhood Bound Imprints
- Folder 14: Copies for Publication Pgs #801-#900 Brotherhood Bound Imprints
Browse by Box:
[Box 1],
[
Box 2],
[
Box 3],
[
All]
