Local artist Scott Meier presented NYCHAPS with the two very special gifts (pictured) at the August regular Board of Directors meeting. Intrigued by a visit to the new Eichelberger Distillery and a chance encounter with a small, printed copy of a portrait of Frederick Eichelberger (1783-1836), Scott painted full size portraits of both Frederick and his wife, Catharine (1782-1869). These portraits were done in the fashion of the original works of Jacob Eichholtz (1776-1842), a well-known artist from Lancaster. Both original portraits were donated to the New York Historical Society by Catharine's great-grandnephew, George Shearer.

Eichholtz captured a number of prominent citizens on canvas and some of his work is displayed in the National Gallery of Art and the Smithsonian Museum of Art. His portrait of Eichelberger accurately depicts the Dillsburg native in his role as a powerful Pennsylvania politician. Frederick was elected to the House of Representatives, serving three different tenures between 1800 and 1817, and to the State Senate from 1819 to 1823. He also served as a Colonel in the Pennsylvania Volunteers in the War of 1812.

Scott Meier's first love is portraiture and his web site captures his motivation, "I find man to be the most interesting animal ever created. Every face has a past and a story. Using traditional painting techniques, and influenced by history and religion, I explore what it means to be human; to exist in an ever-changing environment where we fuse our past and our present to create our future.”

NYCHAP is incredibly honored and grateful for Scott's generous donations. The two portraits are shown hanging above the desk in the Eichelberger 1800 parlor addition to the Dills Tavern. We hope you can schedule a visit during our regular Sunday tours scheduled at 2 pm & 3 pm.