Karl Lehr Bequest Benefits Three Preservation Groups
ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Thanks to the generosity of late member Karl M. Lehr and the Civil War Round Table of Eastern Pennsylvania, donations totaling $128,000 will be given to three preservation organizations. Lehr died on Feb. 19, 2009, at age 93, leaving $123,955.31 to his round table. The Board of Directors and Preservation and Restoration Committee, led by CWRT treasurer Jack Minnich, determined that the best way to honor Lehr was to further the cause of historic preservation. The group added to his bequest for a total of $128,000. That money will be given as follows: Central Virginia Battlefield Trust, $53,000 to help save 93 acres on the Wilderness Battlefield; Richmond Battlefield Association, $53,000 to help save 13 acres at Fussell’s Mill and 4 acres at Malvern Hill; and Civil War Preservation Trust (CWPT), $22,000 to help save 10 acres at Manassas. Minnich noted, “These three organizations have a proven track record in successful historic preservation as well as the efficient use of donations.” Because of their success in obtaining matching grants, “Karl’s gift to the round table has grown to $463,000.” The Virginia groups will receive their checks at the round table’s Sept. 7 meeting. The CWPT check will be presented in October. Lehr was a native of Allentown and 1936 graduate of Muhlenberg College. He received a master’s degree from Lehigh University and was a history fellow of the University of Wisconsin. As a technical sergeant and member of the First Signal Detachment on the USS Ancon, flagship for the landing at Omaha Beach, he was at Normandy on June 6, 1944, and received the Bronze Spearhead and Four Bronze Stars. He also took part in the 1943 landings at Sicily and Salerno, Italy. Lehr became sergeant of the Eiffel Tower Guard and was a staff member of the U.S. Army University in England. He was a Fulbright teacher in Cologne, Germany, in 1957-58 and had a 42-year teaching career in New Jersey and Illinois. Lehr joined the Allentown CWRT about 30 years ago. Minnich said he immediately became an active member serving on numerous committees, contributing to the newsletter and co-chairing a field trip. He was a Resource Committee member, volunteering to speak to outside groups and sharing knowledge with those who needed research assistance. As a board member he helped create the Preservation and Restoration Committee in 1983. Round Table records show Lehr’s commitment to historic preservation through signed petitions and monetary donations. “We can think of no better way to remember and honor Karl Lehr than to preserve and protect the historic legacy of our nation for future generations,” said Minnich. The Civil War Round Table of Eastern Pennsylvania was established in 1978. Before receiving Lehr’s gift it had donated more than $120,000 for preservation and restoration projects. The group has more than 175 members. They hold monthly dinner meetings September through June in Allentown. For information contact Minnich at minnijac@ptd.net or go to www.cwrteasternpa.org. Work is being done on the site. If it is down, it will be back up shortly.
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