Wissahickon Valley Historical Society To Honor Philadelphia Baseball Legend

That is exactly what is happening on Saturday, May 11th at Wentz Run Park’s “Harley Field” (once part of the Harley family’s Boxwood Farm), 1000 Anvil Lane, Blue Bell. The ceremony will dedicate the restoration of the monument in honor of legendary baseball player and coach, Dick Harley.

From 1896–1909 — when Philadelphia baseball was just beginning to peak with the Athletics of the American League and the Phillies of the National League — Dick Harley was carving his name in MLB history by playing for St. Louis Browns (1897–1898), Cleveland Spiders (1899), Cincinnati Reds (1900–1901), Detroit Tigers (1902), and the Chicago Cubs (1903).

As a player, Harley would compile a .262 batting average with 96 extra-base hits, and 236 RBIs. He was a Coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs (1904–1905) and was a college baseball coach for Georgetown (1913), Penn State (1915–1917), and Pittsburgh (1920–1924).

The Wissahickon Valley Historical Society works to promote and preserve the history and historic resources of Ambler Borough, Whitpain Township, and Lower Gwynedd Township. Its headquarters and museum are located at 1895 Public School at 799 West Skippack Pike, Blue Bell PA. It also owns the one-room Franklinville School in Blue Bell. Both buildings appear on the National Register of Historic Places and depict a 19th-century classroom in addition to other exhibits. Both are open to the public. Further information is available at www.WVALLEYHS.org.

###