Heritage Museum

01/09/2024

On this day in 1898, Reverend Thomas Moore passed away while preaching in a Baptist church in Harper, Kansas. We know him better as 'Major' Thomas Moore, National Commander of The Salvation Army who seceded from Booth's Army (1884) to create his own organization, first referred to as 'The American Salvation Army' and later the American Rescue Workers.

His obituary makes no mention of his breakaway faction and seems to positively highlight his connection with William Booth and The Salvation Army. After his association with the American Salvation Army ended, Moore went on to become a popular traveling evangelist. He was a baptist minister in the small town of Harper, Kansas when he received his heavenly summons. SAconnects

01/05/2024

Captain Louise Young in a war service uniform, 1918.

📸 via The Salvation Army National Archives

01/03/2024

Perhaps you are familiar with the almost legendary story of William Booth sending a one-word cable to every Salvation Army officer around the world in the new year of 1910. The one-word telegram was simply "OTHERS". It was a great reminder to General Booth's officers and soldiers of how they should orient their lives for service. What is not very well known, is that Booth's message was actually inspired by a poem written by Charles Delucena Meigs (1792-1869), an American medical doctor known for his work in obstetrics.

The commentator's note on Meigs' poem, "Others", (found in a book of poetry from 1917) reads as follows: The above lines were suggested by the cablegram message of New Year's greetings to all The Army - all of The Salvation Army posts in the world. General Booth boiled his message down to a single word; so this was his message and all of it - "Others".

At the cusp of a new year, may we all be inspired anew to serve God by serving others. SAconnects

12/30/2023

We would like to wish every blessing to our territorial leaders, Commissioners Bill Bamford III and Lorraine Brown Bamford on their last day of active officership in The Salvation Army. Their retirement bulletin is posted below, along with a photo of them helping our museum director celebrate Donut Day!
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Commissioners William and Lorraine Bamford, currently serving as Territorial Commander and Territorial Leader for Officer Development, USA Eastern Territory, will enter retirement on 31 December 2023.

William and Lorraine Bamford entered the training college from their home corps of Quincy, Massachusetts, as cadets in the Ambassadors for Christ session, and they were commissioned Salvation Army officers on 11 June 1989.

Following their commissioning they were appointed to Philadelphia (Pioneer) Corps where they served for the next three years.

In September 1992 Lieutenants Bamford took up appointments at Eastern Pennsylvania and Delaware Divisional Headquarters – Lieutenant William Bamford serving as Divisional Youth Secretary, (also becoming Divisional Candidates’ Secretary in July 1993), and Lieutenant Lorraine Bamford as Corps Cadet Counsellor. They remained in these appointments for almost four years, receiving the rank of captain in June 1994.

In July 1996 they moved to the Western Pennsylvania Division, where Captain William Bamford served firstly as Program Secretary, then as Allegheny County Coordinator, then Personnel Secretary, before, in July 1998, being appointed General Secretary. Captain Lorraine Bamford also served in a number of appointments at the Western Pennsylvania DHQ during this time, namely Divisional Home League Secretary, Women’s Outreach Ministries Secretary, Assistant Program Secretary, Allegheny County Associate Coordinator and Women’s Auxiliary Secretary.

A further move came in June 2004 as the now Major William Bamford was appointed Divisional Commander, Southern New England Division, with Major Lorraine Bamford taking appointments as Women’s Ministries Secretary and Associate Divisional Commander.

Further appointments as divisional leaders came in July 2008, now in the Northeast Ohio Division, before May 2010 saw the now Lieutenant Colonels Bamford move away from their home territory and to the South America West Territory where they took up responsibilities as Chief Secretary and Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries respectively.

Returning to their home territory, USA Eastern, in February 2014, Colonels William and Lorraine Bamford served as Chief Secretary and TSWM until 1 July 2016 when, with the rank of commissioner, they commenced their service as Territorial Commander and Territorial President of Women’s Ministries. On 1 November 2020, Commissioner Lorraine Bamford was appointed Territorial Leader for Officer Development. It is from these appointments that Commissioners Bamford will enter retirement.

Of their officership-service, the commissioners have written as follows:

“Following a period of reflection, it became apparent that God was calling Bill and Lorraine to officership. Renouncing their professional careers, as a pharmacist and language teacher, respectively, they fully surrendered to the Lord and His leading in their lives. They have found great joy in ministering and serving people. They have found extreme blessing in supporting those who feel God’s call upon their life. These moments of fulfillment were seen in their various appointments in the USA Eastern Territory and the South America West Territory. Their time in SAW allowed them to experience a beautiful expression of salvationism that continues to influence their sensitivity to brothers and sisters in Christ around the world.”

We give thanks to God for the lives and service of Commissioners William and Lorraine Bamford, knowing that their ministry will have impacted many people in each appointment in which they have served. As they officially enter retirement from active service, we wish them much joy and blessing on this next stage of their life-journey.

12/22/2023

'SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN!!!'

In this picture, believed to be from the 1930s, Evangeline Booth rides in the sleigh with Santa Claus, played by then Brigadier Edgar Gerberich. Gerberich entered Salvation Army work in 1891 out of New York No. 1 Corps (New York Temple Corps today). At this time in his officership he was appointed to the New York Campaign Department which would now be the Greater New York Development Department. SAconnects

12/19/2023

12/15/2023

In the 1930s, America was roiling under the Great Depression. This picture shows The Salvation Army bringing Christmas relief to a family in need. Nearly 100 years later, the fashions may be different as well as the toys for the children, but the need remains the same.

The caption on the back of the photo reads: "The Army - always there. I remember when they sent these two older children to camp. Those were hard times."
SAconnects

12/15/2023

Remembering Carol Jaudes and the history she made in establishing our territory's first Arts Ministries program.

It is with heavy hearts that we share the news that Carol Jaudes has gone to be with Jesus after a brief battle with liver cancer. Carol built this ministry from the ground up. She was an encourager to all; the very best.

Further arrangements are being discussed. We will share more as plans are established.

There are two ways you can help to honor Carol as we celebrate her life:
1. Use the link below to share your favorite pictures of Carol over the years.
(These will be used publicly.) https://tsaeshare.egnyte.com/ul/OlXKpW5Jco
2. If you will attend the funeral in person, bring a physical item that makes you think of Carol fondly and place it on the Table of Memories. We will share show programs, newspaper clippings and pictures from over the years to accompany your contribution. (You can take your item home with you after.)

12/13/2023

The Salvation Army embraces the cultural traditions of its diverse congregations. Corps with soldiers of Scandinavian descent retained holiday traditions from their homeland and brought them to the corps for all to enjoy. At the Chicago (Irving Park), IL corps Janice Nelson portrayed St. Lucia in December 1969.

St. Lucia day (or Santa Lucia day) is celebrated on December 13 and begins the Christmas season. Here Lucia is shown with candles in her hair and brings coffee and pastry to members of her corps. The candles help to bring light to a dark winter and coffee and pastry to replenish the body after the long night.

12/07/2023

Was blessed to be interviewed by an amazing colleague, Colonel Richard Munn - about my work in the Heritage Museum! (I'm even described as affable) 😉 Love serving God in this way.

Using Heritage to Serve the Present Age by Colonel Richard Munn From the opening and dedication of the gleaming USA East THQ facility in West Nyack, N.Y., in 1990, the territorial Heritage Museum has featured prominently in the building, very deliberately so. Always envisaged as an attractive, inter...

12/06/2023

[Did Commissioner Frederick Booth Tucker predict something like the internet in 1891?]

"The very wires with which they have linked together the remotest towns, and even villages, have bound the world with an electric network across which every pulsation of its heart may be felt, and which will one day prove the medium for transmitting religious currents the mighty results of which will astound the universe. When once the communications are complete, some touch, like the pressure of a button, may yet convulse the globe in the throes of a revival that shall simultaneously affect mankind." SAconnects

11/30/2023

Our antique kettle, too delicate to be used to collect money has been promoted to Higher Service as a repository of prayers! Drop in a prayer request if you’re in the lobby of our headquarters. Don’t forget to pick up a complimentary copy of our Christmas advent devotional produced by USA East SLD. SAconnects

11/27/2023

From our archives: A handwritten manuscript by SA composer great, Erik Leidzén (1894-1962). The piece from 1927 was called 'The Trumpeters'. Spilled substance on the manuscript, unknown - probably Leidzén's coffee. 😏🎼☕

11/24/2023

You are never too young to make a difference. ❤️

📸 via The Salvation Army National Archives

11/24/2023

11/23/2023

A Thanksgiving Dinner in New York City, put on by The Salvation Army in 1974. Thank you to all the Salvationists and volunteers who are working hard to make sure everyone in the community has a Thanksgiving to remember. SAconnects

11/22/2023

11/22/2023

Distinction!

Kensico Cemetery serves as the final resting place for many officers from our territory and is a peaceful sanctuary. Every year, the Eastern Territory holds a memorial service to honor our officers who were promoted to glory.

11/21/2023

Happy Thanksgiving from the Archives!

11/21/2023

Sidney Cox was a very rare officer of The Salvation Army. His life would be considered a “symphony of sacrament” and “sanctification of the Savior.”

Born in Northampton, England on June 29, 1887, he emigrated to Canada in 1907, converted to Christ in 1908, and by 1909 became a cadet in Toronto. He met Violet Henderson at the training school and soon after their marriage, began their incredible journey of working with The Salvation Army in many ways.

But it was in 1914 that the Lord pressed upon his heart to begin writing choruses and hymns. These songs and choruses, given to Sidney by the Holy Spirit, were the proverbial key that helped him to share the gospel wherever he went.

Titles such as “I Love Him Better Every Day,” “Deep and Wide,” and “Give Me a Vision of Calvary” were just some of the many songs and choruses that the crowds hummed and sang from the training schools, seminaries and Bible conferences that he would lead.

When asked about the popularity and influence of his songs, Sidney would describe them as “simple, singable and scriptural.”

May the Lord raise up another Sidney to have a song as a signature in our heart for the Savior. ❤️

🔗 https://www.thewarcry.org/articles/sidneys-signature/

11/20/2023

We would like to congratulate The Officer magazine on its 130th year of continuous publication. The Officer was first published in 1893 by International Headquarters. Its very first editor was Frederick Booth-Tucker, one of the great pioneering officers of our movement. Pictured here is our copy of the first issue alongside of the latest publication. We wish its readers many more years of continued insight and blessing. SAconnects

11/17/2023

Thank you to our friends from Waterbury, CT, for stopping by! SAconnects The Salvation Army in Connecticut and Rhode Island

11/15/2023

Thank you to the Communications team for inviting us to give a presentation at your departmental meeting yesterday. We hope our talk, "Crises in The Salvation Army" was both helpful and inspiring. Thank you for all you do as 'story tellers'. And yes, those are delicious cookies on the table! 😋 SAconnects

11/14/2023

Two of the five boroughs of New York were well represented at the museum yesterday. We had the good folks from The Salvation Army Astoria Corps in Queens, and some soon-to-be soldiers from The Salvation Army Bushwick Worship and Community Center in Brooklyn. Thank you for stopping by the museum for a tour.
The Salvation Army Greater New York Division
SAconnects