Southern York County Life

A time-line of vision

The Stewartstown Historical Society’s newest display of locally owned collections is that of historic eyeglasses. The display, aptly titled, A Time-Line of Vision, shows the development of spectacles from the 1500’s through modern times.

The collection is on loan from Valda Vanover Tull and her husband, John W. Tull, M.D. Mrs. Tull is an optician with her business in York. Dr. Tull is in private practice as an ophthalmologist. “Val” was born and raised in Stewartstown, whereas John is originally from Wilmington, Delaware. The Tulls make their home in York. The hobby of collecting old eyeglasses seems like a fitting adjunct to their respective professions. The 1700-era set of glasses has steel frames and--a sign of the times--wig loops. Illustrative of changes in fashion over the years, the display holds samples of gold pince-nez and French lorgnettes. Lenses range from clear to blue to amber in color, and frames from metal to tortoise shell to plastic.

The Historical Society building is open each Sunday from 2:00 to 4:00 P.M. for viewing the eyeglass display. Dr. and Mrs. Tull will be there on Sunday, October 28 to talk about their collection and to answer questions of viewers. Members and non-members are invited to stop by.

Source: From the Barrens (we obtain permission for external material)
Posted by Dan Baldwin on 10/22/2001 at 03:39 PM in History

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