History Talks

The Marple Historical Society provides a series of public history talks during the year at the Marple Christian Church located at 475 Lawrence Road (next door to the Thomas Massey House) in Broomall.

The Bergdoll Boys: America’s Most Notorious Millionaire Draft Dodgers Thursday, April 18th, 7:00 p.m.

Join the Marple Historical Society for a special talk by Tim Lake about his new book — The Bergdoll Boys: America’s Most Notorious Millionaire Draft Dodgers. The heirs of a brewing fortune, Bergdolls made the area around Broomall their playground in the early 1900s—becoming champion race car drivers and pioneer aviation heroes. When the US Army jails Grover Bergdoll for desertion from World War I, family fixers arrange with the White House to let him out long enough to search for a fortune in buried gold. Instead, he escapes to Germany for a decades-long legal and financial battle over the federal prosecution of draft dodgers.

Light refreshments will be served after the talk.

Admission to the talk is free, but donations are greatly appreciated and help us to continue to preserve our township’s history.

When: 7:00 p.m., Thursday, April 18, 2024
Where: Marple Christian Church, 475 Lawrence Road, Broomall, PA 19008