During the cooler seasons, the New Holland Area Historical Society (NHAHS) holds monthly presentations at Garden Spot Village (GSV). During February, the plan is to show two movies about the history of New Holland. "It's time to relive our history to show New Holland was and is a wonderful place to live and raise families," said NHAHS co-founder Mitch Dissinger, who added that the presentation will give those who have never seen the films a chance to view them. "There's a whole group of people who have never seen them," he said.

The two black-and-white films - "My Hometown: New Holland" and "Salute to New Holland" - will be shown at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 27, in the chapel at GSV, 433 S. Kinzer Ave., New Holland.

According to Dissinger, the films, which were created in the 1960s by two different Philadelphia television stations, were last shown publicly in 2003 at what was then the Liberty Fire Company Hall in celebration of New Holland's 275th anniversary. At that time, the reel-to-reel films were also transferred to video tape, and the tapes were sold as a fundraiser. Dissinger explained that "My Hometown," which was narrated by Clarion owner Scoop Whitmore, was made by WCAU, and "Salute to New Holland" was produced by WFIL. The plan is to pause each film periodically to discuss what is on the screen and the changes in the town since the film was made.

NHAHS co-founder Steve Loewen explained that the television stations made several such films spotlighting small towns in eastern Pennsylvania. "It was like a public affairs thing," said Loewen, who stated that the films would be shown on the Philadelphia stations on Saturday evenings. "I remember watching them when I was young," said Loewen, who noted his family would gather in front of the television and point out the local sites included in the films. He recalls recognizing Whitmore's voice, along with the other speakers in the films. Loewen clearly recalls the opening scene of "My Hometown," which features a buggy coming down Railroad Avenue, and remembers recognizing his grandparents' home and the steeple of St. Stephen Reformed Church. "The (film's background) music was perfect for (that time period)," stated Loewen. "It was a simpler time."

The narration of "My Hometown" begins with an explanation of why horses pulling buggies are a common sight in New Holland. Scenes of Main Street include the Clarion office and gas stations. The film mentions the settling of the area in 1728 by John Diffenderfer - leader of the first Lutheran congregation in New Holland - and puts a spotlight on the history of the Kauffman building, which is now the home of NHAHS. Rubinson's Department Store, a fixture in the town until 1988, and the Farmer's Bank building on the corner of Main Street and Railroad Avenue will also be recognizable. A discussion of the differing segments of the Plain community, along with information on a number of local businesses, such as the cheese factory and New Holland Machine are included.

"Salute to New Holland" opens with scenes of the New Holland Sales Stables, referring to the town as "spotlessly clean" and having an air of "rural sophistication." Speakers in the film include Paul Walter, who was then the Trinity Lutheran pastor; the principal of New Holland Elementary School; and community park manager J. Kenneth Herr, who discusses the history of the New Holland Community Memorial Park. The productivity of the Victor F. Weaver plant - now Tyson's - which then processed 60,000 chickens a day, is mentioned, along with extraordinary weather events from the past. The New Holland Planing Mill is included, and New Holland Machine president George C. Delp speaks about the 25th anniversary of the company, which at that time was a division of Sperry Rand.

The program is free and open to the public. More information about NHAHS may be found at https://nhhistorical.com or by searching for "New Holland Area Historical Society" on Facebook.