The Greater Pottstown Foundation was the wish of Pottstown’s legendary newspaper editor, Shandy Hill (1901-1992), who was the first editor of the Pottstown Mercury after the paper was established in 1931.  The Mercury was the combined venture of William Hiester and Shandy Hill, who had been friends and fellow employees at the Reading Times.  Hiester, a former Hill School graduate who went on to attend Yale University, had the money to support the venture, and Hill had the expertise to make it a success. Shandy Hill served as the newspaper’s editor until he retired in 1967, just six months after Hiester sold the paper to another publisher. 

 

During his 36-year tenure as the Pottstown Mercury’s editor, Shandy Hill became one of the most influential men in Pottstown.  He accomplished many good things for the town and its people, both through the Mercury, and through his personal endeavors.  There are many examples of that, which could be cited here, but two of the most important are:  Throughout his career, Hill supported education in Pottstown, although not always in the way that the school administrators of the day would have liked.  As a local resident, Hill consistently attended School Board meetings and fought to reform school governance from its often secretive and sometimes self-serving officials.  He was a consistent supporter of students of all races and backgrounds, and actively promoted opportunities for Pottstown students that would not otherwise have been available – often utilizing his personal time and funds. 

In addition to his success in promoting educational opportunities and reform, Hill contributed much to the plight of Pottstown minority residents of the day.  For example, in 1954 (following the Supreme Court school desegregation decision of that year), Hill authored the “James P. Crow, Esq.” editorial series which covered in detail the socio-economic status of Pottstown’s black population.  And for the next decade he sought to improve the plight of that community.

 

After Shandy Hill retired from the Mercury, he continued to write occasional columns for the paper, many of which were in support of the humanitarian efforts he sought to achieve.  He also continued to give much of his personal time toward those efforts.  In 1969, Hill published a book about his unique 36-year career as The Mercury’s editor.  His editorial style was often controversial, sometimes humorous, but always hard boiled, yet compassionate and enthusiastic.  He titled his book “Dear Sir: You Cur”.   It’s available to read at the Pottstown Library.  If you’re not sure what a “cur” is, Google it – and look at both the formal and the informal definition.  The book title illustrates Shandy’s self-depleting sense of humor. 

    

When in his eighties, with the realization that he could not continue his quest forever, Hill sought the advice of his close friend, Harold Prince, a prominent attorney in Pottstown, to discuss how he might best extend his legacy of humanitarian visions into the future. He also felt strongly that it was important to promote Pottstown in the eyes of the greater public.  Prince was a man who shared Hill’s enthusiasm for Pottstown and its people of all races and creeds.  His law firm, Prince and Prince, had a reputation for serving all Pottstown residents with equal dedication and commitment.  Both men shared the same dream of a more tolerant society and also the desire to improve the livelihoods    of the people here in Pottstown – a community for which they both held a strong affinity.  The other “Prince”, of Prince and Prince Law, was Harold’s son, Paul Prince, also a well-established Pottstown attorney.  Accordingly, Paul was brought into the discussion as well.

 

The decision was made, by the three men, to start a charitable foundation with the name of “The Greater Pottstown Foundation”.  The stated goal, written into the By-Laws of the Foundation, was described as the raising of funds to be distributed for the charitable purpose of effectively assisting and promoting the moral, mental, social, and physical well-being of the inhabitants of the Greater Pottstown Area, including nearby communities in Berks, Montgomery, and Chester Counties.  Said benefits were to be made available to any such inhabitants regardless of race, creed, or sex of the beneficiary.  On August 18, 1989 the Articles of Incorporation were filed for the Foundation, by Shandy Hill, Harold Prince and Paul Prince.  Paul serves as the Board Chairman of the Foundation today, heading a Board of eight volunteer members of the community, all with varied backgrounds.