Northumberland County, Pa. - You probably don't recognize the name of the famous Pennsylvanian who Chuck Rhodes recently went "Out and About" with.

But you sure know what he discovered - in fact, you're using it right now.

You aren't alone if you don't know who Joseph Priestley is.

"Joseph Priestley. He's not a household name, unfortunately," said Ronald Blatchley, a Priestley reenactor.

As tour host of the Joseph Priestley home in Northumberland County, Blatchley makes sure visitors leave with a deeper understanding of the man best known for discovering oxygen.
 
"He was a theologian, he was a political philosopher, and had tremendous influence on the beginning of our nation," said Blatchley.

In 18th-century England, Priestley's religious and political views were considered radical, forcing him to flee to Northumberland, Pennsylvania. He and his wife, Mary, built their Georgian-style home there in 1794. Mary died two years later, but Joseph  continued teaching, preaching and publishing until his death in 1804.

"His educational theories are possibly responsible for what we call liberal arts education today," said Blatchley.

In the very laboratory where Priestley went on to discover several other gases besides oxygen, Blatchely, a retired chemistry teacher, entertains visitors with experiments based on some of Priestley's discoveries.

The most popular experiment appears to turn a copper penny into gold.

"it's very eye-catching, and it's very simple," said Blatchley. "It costs me almost nothing. And I can send the kids home with a souvenir."

Visitors come from as far away as England, where Blatchley is often invited to speak about the famous chemist and his central Pennsylvania residence.

 

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