Thoughtful musings on various topics by interesting people at Blithewold

Bristol News: March 1, 1897

One hundred and twenty-three years ago, on March 1, 1897, Marjorie Van Wickle was at the Jekyll Island Club in Brunswick, Georgia, with her parents Augustus and Bessie Van Wickle.  While she was there she … Read more.

Women’s Work

As we come to the end of our year celebrating the Pardee and Lyon families’ service to country, I offer one last reminder that the role of women during World War I was vital, though … Read more.

Labor Day Lunch

Marjorie Lyon was known for her gracious hospitality. Two of her favorite celebrations were July 4th and Labor Day, both of which were constant, unchangeable traditions for decades. Labor Day was Marjorie’s annual farewell to … Read more.

Early Days in Hazelton, Circa 1891

Marjorie Van Wickle was born in 1883 in Cleveland, Ohio, where her father, Augustus, was president of the South Mountain Coal company.  Three years later they moved to Morristown, New Jersey so that Augustus could … Read more.

Red Cross Dividends

By Marjorie Lyon April 23, 1952 Dividends are hard to explain. Sometimes you earn them and sometimes they are just thrust upon you. It seems to me that the dividends that come from Red Cross … Read more.

A Shared Sense of Humor

In February, 1949 Marjorie Lyon wrote an amusing short essay on ‘Confusing Traffic Signs.’  She said: As a small schoolgirl, I was taught to read either from left to right or from top to bottom. … Read more.

A New Painting by Marjorie

Blithewold has in its collection more than 500 paintings by Marjorie Van Wickle Lyon. Some are exhibited in the Mansion; many more are stored safely in the Archives and Collections facility on the third floor. … Read more.

Confusing Traffic Signs, May 1

CONFUSING TRAFFIC SIGNS by Marjorie Lyon February 26, 1949             As a small school girl, I was taught to read either from left to right or from top to bottom. Skipping about was not encouraged. … Read more.

Educating Marjorie

Marjorie Van Wickle was born in 1883 in Cleveland, Ohio.  Little is known about her early education until the family moved back to Hazleton, Pennsylvania, in 1892.  There her parents, Augustus and Bessie Van Wickle, … Read more.