Fun Fact of the Day: Henry S. Drinker

 Drinker House

We all know (and love?) Drinker House, the traditional home of the Haverford Baseball team, and a major social gathering spot on select Saturday nights. Drinker is also known for hosting "First Drinker," the traditional party that marks the beginning of the school year (and end of Customs dry week). Yet, have you ever wondered where the name "Drinker" came from?
 

The esteemed Henry S. Drinker

Well, it's a pretty cool story actually. Drinker was named after Henry S. Drinker, who was a member of Haverford's class of 1900 and a prominent Philadelphia attorney (the firm he founded, Drinker Biddle, is still thriving today). Drinker was also a prominent musicologist.

Here is when the story gets crazy:

"When war once again engulfed Europe in the first half of the 20th century, Henry Drinker’s love of choral music earned him a [part] in the well-known story of the Trapp family. In October 1939, family patriarch Georg von Trapp asked Henry Drinker to intervene when the family was detained at Ellis Island with visa problems. Their Philadelphia lawyer and benefactor would repeatedly come to their rescue during the war years." -Drinker Biddle 

So, Drinker essentially helped rescue the von Trapp family. Truly something intriguing to ponder the next time one is partying in Drinker (or watching The Sound of Music).

For more information about Drinker: http://www.drinkerbiddle.com/about/history/#Henry%20S.%20Drinker