(The following information was provided by the Montgomery County Office of Communications.)
Montgomery County Parks, Trails, and Historic Sites invites the public to attend upcoming events hosted at its historic sites in May and June. These events are family friendly and are low or no cost to attend, reservations are recommended.
Pottsgrove Manor - Annual Colonial Mayfair
Saturday, May 6 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., 100 West King Street, Pottstown
Welcome the arrival of beautiful spring days with historic style at the annual Colonial Mayfair! Dancing around the Maypole with its rainbow ribbons opens the day to this family-favorite living history event. Discover rows of vendors and roaming interpreters with 18th-century reproduction and handmade items. Historic craft and trade demonstrations plus performances of traditional music, and laugh-out-loud colonial puppet shows, and the famed Benjamin Franklin’s science experiments will delight every member of the family.
Free visitor parking is available at Pottstown Memorial Park, located at 75 W King Street, with a complementary shuttle service to Pottsgrove Manor.
Peter Wentz Farmstead - The British Are Coming!
Saturday, May 6 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, May 7 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., 2030 Shearer Rd, Lansdale
During the winter of 1777 and into the spring of 1778, the Continental army was encamped at Valley Forge while British troops occupied Philadelphia. On May 6th and 7th, meet members of the Queens Rangers and British Light Infantrymen to learn about those trying times for citizens and soldiers alike.
Pennypacker Mills - Patriots Along the Perkiomen - The Continental Army at Pennypacker Mills
Saturday, May 20 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, May 21 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., 5 Haldeman Road, Schwenksville
Spend the day learning about the encampment that happened there in 1777 with the Continental Line. See a court martial, kids can dress as soldiers, and see exhibits in the mansion.
Pennypacker Mills - Porch Performance - Celebrating Juneteenth
Saturday, June 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., 5 Haldeman Road, Schwenksville
Abolitionist William Still was a prominent civil rights activist who coined the term "underground railroad," and was one of the chief "conductors" in Pennsylvania. Hear his story of how he helped as many as 800 enslaved people to reach freedom. The mansion is open for tours prior to the performance. Visitors are encouraged to bring a lawn chair.
Pottsgrove Manor - Juneteenth Celebration
Saturday, June 17 from noon to 2 p.m., 100 West King Street, Pottstown
Honor the history of the Black experience in America with two Juneteenth presentations at Pottsgrove Manor. Daniel Flickinger will tell the important work done by the Friends of the African Union Church of South Coventry, exploring the congregation’s history and protecting the church cemetery and more. Following the talks, visitors are invited to participate in a volunteer cleanup of this historic cemetery, just a few minutes down the road from Pottsgrove Manor.
Peter Wentz Farmstead - Juneteenth
Saturday, June 17, time to be announced, 2030 Shearer Rd, Lansdale
Join the Peter Wentz Farmstead in observation of Juneteenth, the holiday commemorating the emancipation of Black enslaved people in America. We will spotlight the story of Jack, a man who was enslaved by Peter Wentz and who made two attempts to escape to freedom. Through telling Jack’s story, we hope to educate the public about the little-known history of
slavery in Pennsylvania. The Peter Wentz Farmstead is a designated National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom site.
Pennypacker Mills - Vintage Baseball at its Best!
Saturday, June 24, 5 Haldeman Road, Schwenksville
Watch as the Athletic Baseball Club of Philadelphia plays a rousing game using 1860s rules, uniforms, and equipment. The mansion is open for tours. Visitors are encouraged to bring a lawn chair.
Pottsgrove Manor - “The Social & Medical World of Dr. Jonathan Potts”: Exhibit Opening Celebration
Saturday, June 24 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Exhibit will run to November 5, 2023), 100 West King Street, Pottstown
Join us as we celebrate the life and work of Dr. Jonathan Potts with a new exhibit, special lecture, and living history demonstrations detailing his major achievements and temporary struggles. Discover how physicians treated patients in an age before modern healthcare. Afterward, learn about colonial medicine from reenactors, and explore the new exhibit (throughout the museum) with guided tours from Pottsgrove Manor’s staff.
About Montgomery County Parks, Trails, and Historic Sites
Montgomery County Parks, Trails, and Historic Sites offer wonderful opportunities for residents and visitors to enjoy various natural resources, participate in educational and recreational opportunities, and appreciate our historic past. Whether you are a bike enthusiast, a lover of antiques, or just want a quiet space for a family picnic, there is something for you throughout our facilities.
Montgomery County owns and/or manages more than 6,000 acres of public open space which includes nine parks, five historic sites, and nearly 100 miles of regional trails. These areas include over 125 historic and non-historic structures, playgrounds, a fish ladder, a working historic canal lock, a wildlife center, and an archives/artifact collection of over 53,000 pieces. Our parks, trails, and historic sites combined are enjoyed by over 2 million visitors each year. Park lands include fishing opportunities, environmental education programs, hiking, boat rentals, pavilions, and more. Our trail systems and connections have been noted as some of the finest trails in the country, with the goal of all Montgomery County residents being no further than a few miles from their home to a trail experience. The historic sites preserve such things as the collection of a Pennsylvania governor, a Pennsylvania German farmstead, a colonial ironmaster’s home and the first American home of John James Audubon, a National Landmark.
See also:
Towamencin’s Morgan Log House to Host Open House for New ‘Building Ghosts’ Exhibit
Montco Historic Homes Offer Holiday Tours and Events
Green Lane Park Announces November Educational Programs
Pottsgrove Manor Welcomes Dan Graham to Share Iron History
