Two new additions were part of the Lynn Heidelberg Historical Society open house Dec. 3 at the old New Tripoli Bank building on Madison Street, New Tripoli.

Justin Arifaj taught his eighth grade social studies students to be docents at the museum.

They did an excellent job and made the event more interesting for visitors. As visitors entered one section of the museum, the docents asked “Do you know what this is?” or “Let me tell you.”

The students also had questionnaires to complete by asking people various questions. Those who returned the papers to the teacher with all the answers received extra credit.

Outside, where the weather was cold and windy, corn chowder, potpie, hot chocolate, coffee and pumpkin spice lattes were being sold.

Inside, as usual, were cookies and punch in the bank’s board of directors’ meeting room.

The Pennsylvania Dutch Santa Claus, the Belsnickel, carrying his hickory switch, was talking to the children.

They were to sing for him or ask a question to help them fill out their questionnaire.

He then gave them candy. Originally, the candy would have been scattered on the floor and, if they grabbed too quickly, they would feel the sting of his switch.

Jim Warfel asked a question from the students’ lists: “What did anyone who wanted a job at the bank have to know?”

He also helped them make official bank stamps.

As there was little in the way of a security system, each employee had to know how to shoot a gun.

Fortunately, in the time the bank was open, there was never a need for the gun.

In a display case was a surveyor’s chain and compass. One chain length equaled four perches. A perch was 16.5 feet. The survey equipment at the museum was received from Samuel Waidelich.

Sarah Korbich answered questions and warned people the steps to the basement were steep and to be careful.

Susan Kistler donated a table and chairs, a set of original dishes and a menu from the Ontelaunee Park restaurant.

The docent in the Frederick Leaser corner explained how, during the American Revolution, Leaser took applejack to Philadelphia to sell and brought the Liberty Bell and other bells back as far as Zion’s Church, Allentown, where they were hidden in the basement.

The British had captured Philadelphia and were collecting bells to melt down to make ammunition. When George Washington recaptured Philadelphia, the bells were returned.

Jess Eberle described the uses for the equipment from the C.E. Snyder Funeral Home.

When a body could not be buried immediately it would be put in a cadaver box and packed with ice for preservation. There were two large embalming tables and one for small children.

Ice was cut in a large pond across from the Northwestern Medical Center. The pond was also used for ice skating.

Morgan Werley discussed the Purple Heart earned in the Battle of the Bulge. A plate commemorates the Ardennes Offensive, part of that battle. Each Purple Heart recipient also received a certificate.

There were boxes for “US Army field ration K, breakfast unit.” Raymond Hausman’s World War II uniform was hanging in a display separate from the large uniform display where open house visitors tried to match the uniforms with the branch of service.

Many in the area are familiar with the Please Touch Museum in Philadelphia but here, at the museum, the docents told people they could touch the items on display.

The museum is open the fourth Saturday of each month or by appointment by calling 610-767-6864 or 610-298-2231.