The lifelong collection of Mr. Donald H. Berkebile of Mercersburg, Pennsylvania, well-known author and curator at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C., will be sold at auction by Hurley Auctions on October 29, 30, and 31. Mr. Berkebile died at the age of 81 in the summer of this year.
Donald H. Berkebile was born Johnstown, Pennsylvania, in November of 1926. He graduated from Johnstown High School and attended the Columbia Union College in Washington and the University of Pittsburgh. He began working for the Smithsonian Institute in 1955, building scale models and restoring specimens in the exhibits department. He was promoted to museum specialist of the transportation department in charge of carriages, automobiles, and other specialties in 1961. He stayed with the Smithsonian Institute until his retirement in 1981.
Books written by Berkebile included Carriage Terminology-An Historical Dictionary, American Carriages, Sleighs, Sulkies and Carts, Etc. He also co-authored several books for the Smithsonian Institute including Wheels and Wheeling: The Smithsonian Cycle Collection, The Smithsonian Collection of Automobiles and Motorcycles, and others.
Berkebile was better known, though, for his work in the restoration of wagons, carriages, and cars, in particular Conestoga wagons. Berkebile worked from his shop in Mercersburg, Pennsylvania, and restored such wagons as the Coffman Conestoga wagon of Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, so-called for the family that started using it in 1815. Isaac Coffman’s son, John Coffman, carried freight between Lewisburg and New York for 15 years. Berkebile himself owned a Conestoga 9-bow wagon, which will be auctioned at the end of October, in the 3-day spectacular auction event consisting of his 80 plus year accumulation that filled his home, barn, workshop, and outbuildings located at 9399 Blue Spring Road, in Mercersburg.
Berkebile lived in a 1700’s stone farmhouse (to be auctioned in mid-November) that he personally restored and furnished with a beautiful collection of early American antiques. His collection also included a restored 1916 Autocar manufactured in Ardmore, Pennsylvania, as well as a barn and workshop full of interesting treasures, including antique tools, Blacksmithing tools, and equipment that will be auctioned at the end of October. Also among his collections are an extensive book and coin collection which will be sold at public sale at the Legacy Center, located in Greencastle, by Hurley Auctions. Also, (not included in the 3-day October auction) is Mr. Berkebile’s gun collection which is being offered through David Condon Inc. For more information on the 3-Day Auction Event and the life and legacy of Donald H. Berkebile, call Hurley Auctions at (717) 597-9100 or toll-free (866) 424-3337, or visit www.hurleyauctions.com
