Miss Lillie Dietrich lived on a rural route outside West Leesport, a village now joined to the small borough of Leesport on the other side of the Schuylkill River in Berks County of south-central Pennsylvania.
The “port” is derived from the operation of the Schuylkill Canal.
In 1853, an anthracite furnace was constructed for the Leesburg Iron Company, and in 1876, Leesport was served by a station of the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leesport,_Pennsylvania
In December of 1910, Lillie received a postcard from Gertie Seidel.
Gertie appears to be a nearby friend or neighbor as the postcard was mailed from West Leesport.
Although sent between Christmas and New Year’s Day, the postcard was not related to these festive events.
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The face of the postcard is a lovely painting of a young woman seated on a rustic bench.
A winding path weaves through the trees near her seat.
Sunlight filters through the leafy boughs, and the young woman wields a bright red parasol against the sun’s rays.
The splendid composition is well-colored, but the work lacks an artist’s mark.
Printed in Europe, the postcard represents another example of original artwork that remains anonymous.
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On the reverse, Gertie leaps to clarify her earlier (unrecorded) message about the upcoming Lodge meeting.
Lillie is informed that the meeting is not “tonight”, but “it is on the 6th of January.”
Gertie’s message concludes with a brusque, “You shall come”.
One hopes that Lillie understood the correct date and was able to attend the Lodge Meeting.
Of the myriad social, religious, mutual aid, and fraternal organizations that proliferated in the early 20th century, it would be delightful to know which one attracted the participation of Gertie and Lillie.
Leesport still has a Lodge of the Order of Odd Fellows, and this organization accepted men and women as members.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independent_Order_of_Odd_Fellows
Alas, we do not know if this IOOFlodge is the one discussed in the postcard.
Lillie preserved the pretty postcard in good condition throughout her life.
