Living History: Two historic perspectives on the Brandywine Valley

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When Red Hamer started working for The Evening Bulletin, Dwight Eisenhower was in the White House, Mickey Mantle hit 42 home runs for the Yankees and Ken Rosewall was dominating tennis courts around the world. Rosewall’s pursuit happened to be Red’s favorite sport. Hamer became a full-time professional sports writer in 1958 after having been a local tennis star himself.

Covering other sports at the newspaper from 1958- 1974, Hamer was the main reporter following University of Pennsylvania football and the Penn Relays. This author has had several opportunities to meet Red over the past few years and was thrilled to hear of his experiences with some of the best known celebrities of the modern era. Hamer met Rosewall, Rod Laver and later Arthur Ashe in 1968, the year Ashe became the first black player to win the U.S. Tennis Open. Hamer even played Laver — the only man to win the Grand Slam twice — in a friendly match at The Spectrum in Philadelphia.

Hamer’s exposure to sports over the years often brought him into interesting situations. In 1971 he participated in the Boston Marathon, taking notes while running so he could write a story about it. Along the course, a blind runner passed him. Humbled by the experience, Hamer later announced that he completed the race “in only 2 hours and 171 minutes.”

Naturally athletic, he used his abilities and connections to meet many of the local sports figures of the 1960’s and 1970’s, catching up with Villanova track star Marty Liquori, chatting with former Phillies “Whiz Kid” center-fielder Ritchie Ashburn and hitting balls with tennis pro Bobby Riggs. Hamer met Luciano Pavarotti, capturing a splendid moment on film as the tenor great rode in the 1991 Philadelphia Columbus Day Parade.

When Hamer decided to focus his talents on photography, it was partially due to the natural beauty of the place he called home — the Chesapeake Bay. Living along the bay for 20 years, he depicted landscapes rather than leaping sports figures. Utilizing his roots in the Philadelphia area for material, in 1979 Red released his first coffee-table book titled “The Four Seasons of Chester County”, which was so popular, it made it into the time capsule buried in front of the Chester County Courthouse.

He went on to write “The Four Seasons of Chester County,” Volumes II, III and IV as well as two volumes of “The Four Seasons of the Chesapeake Bay,” Volume II of which was the best-selling book in the eastern U.S. in 1982.  Hamer’s focus on scenic local countryside is also highlighted in his book “A Chester County Christmas.”

Artist Karl Kuerner, another local icon, grew up admiring his bucolic surroundings in Delaware and Chester counties. His grandfather with the same name emigrated from Germany in 1926, renting the historic Ring Farm in Chadds Ford and later purchasing the property which had ties to the Battle of the Brandywine, stray cannonballs and grapeshot buried in the soil. A sense of history was important to several people in the area, including artist Howard Pyle — considered the father of The Brandywine School of artists — and one of his students, N.C. Wyeth.

N.C.’s son Andrew focused his talent conveying a natural sense of the beauty of the region and later gained national recognition. In hundreds of his paintings, Andrew showcased the Kuerner Farm. By the early 1970’s, the young Karl Kuerner had been actively painting on his own. Showing one of his works to Andrew’s sister Carolyn, Karl began a lifelong infatuation with the serenity and rustic elegance of the Brandywine Valley.

Pursuing his work assiduously for many years, Karl released his book “All In A Day’s Work” in 2007. “This is the Kuerner Farm from the Kuerner’s perspective,” Karl said after its release. In the introduction to the book, Andrew said, “I have watched him grow… with his own vision. His work is inspiring and deeply introspective.” The book captures whimsical scenes from Karl’s childhood and includes a portrait titled “Andy At Work,” — done while the old master wasn’t watching.

Karl Kuerner’s books illustrate less heralded aspects of life along the Brandywine. “Ike At Night” is a capricious look at his 6-year old cat who goes on adventures prowling the countryside, toasting “mousemellows” around the campfire. “Ike Takes Flight” follows suit, depicting feline pursuits with a different twist. Karl says his paintings are “abstracts disguised by realism.”Commenting on the many people drawn to the region to capture the lovely scenery on canvas, Karl said, “There are many local painters, but few artists.” He is clearly one of those few.

Karl Kuerner will be signing copies of his books at the Chadds Ford Historical Society, 1736 Creek Road in Chadds Ford on Saturday, Nov. 2. On Sunday, Nov. 3, Red Hamer will be at the society signing copies of his books and photographs. Both events run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Light refreshments will be served and the historic John Chads House (1725) will be open for tours. The public is invited. For more information, visit the Society website at www.chaddsfordhistory.org or call 610-388-7376.

* Gene Pisasale is an author and lecturer based in Kennett Square. His six books and lecture series focus on local history. Gene’s latest work is “The Forgotten Star,” an historical novel of the War of 1812 which highlights true mysteries surrounding an American icon- the Star-Spangled Banner. Visit his website at www.GenePisasale.com or contact him at Gene@GenePisasale.com.

 Photo: The cover of Karl Kuerner's "Ike at Night."

About Gene Pisasale

Gene Pisasale is an historian, author and lecturer based in Kennett Square, Pa. His eight books and historic lecture series focus on the history of the mid-Atlantic region. Gene’s latest book is Alexander Hamilton: Architect of the American Financial System, which delves into the life and many accomplishments of this important Founding Father who almost single-handedly transformed our nation from a bankrupt entity into the most successful country in the history of mankind. Gene’s books are available on www.Amazon.com. His website is www.GenePisasale.com; he can be reached at Gene@GenePisasale.com.

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