dewees
The  Historical Society
 of Trappe, Collegeville, Perkiomen Valley, Inc.
Trappe, PA 19426

 
HMH
301 W. Main St.
 
 
  201 W. Main St.










Reviewed: 5 May 2008
The Historical Society of  Trappe, Collegeville, Perkiomen Valley
was founded in 1964 as a non-profit educational society to:
  • encourage local historical research and publication of the results,
  • promote historical activities in the community, and
  • encourage the preservation of historic sites.
    •

As part of that mission the Society has restored the Henry Melchior Muhlenberg House. The House tells the story of Henry Muhlenberg who settled in Trappe Pennsylvania in 1742 to preach to and support the German community and to communicate to the Lutheran elders in Germany the development and growth of the Lutheran Church in America.  Here at the site of his retirement, Muhlenberg would hold his community together during the American Revolution and see his sons Peter and Frederick help build a new nation. 

The Society's headquarters is located in the Dewees Museum, located at the intersection of Main Street and Route 113 in the center of Trappe. Constructed between 1740 and 1750, it was a tavern for many years and served as a stagecoach stop, a polling place, a local court, and was the scene of local rallies for presidential campaigns. Ongoing and special exhibits emphasize the heritage of the area, often with lectures that provide insight and depth.

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 26708
Collegeville, PA 19426-0708
Telephone: (610) 489-7560
FAX: (610) 489-5121
email: info@trappehistoricalsociety.org




The financial disclaimer: The Historical Society of Trappe, Collegeville, Perkiomen Valley, Inc. is a Pennsylvania nonprofit corporation, a 501(c)(3) exempt organization under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, and is registered with the Pennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Charitable Organizations.

Official registration and financial information of The Historical Society Of Trappe, Collegeville, Perkiomen Valley, Inc. may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll-free, within Pennsylvania, 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.

Contributions to The Historical Society of Trappe, Collegeville, Perkiomen Valley, Inc. are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.
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Web hosting furnished by Holcombe Funeral Home, Inc. Trappe, PA
Internet service funded  by TR Insurance Group. Collegeville, PA
  TR Insurance Group

Welcome to the official web site of the Historical Society of Trappe, Collegeville, Perkiomen Valley, Inc.

You probably stopped by for a specific purpose but, before you leave, I hope you will take a few minutes to visit with us.

Our Historian’s Corner this month features an interesting story straight out of the history of the Montgomery County Almshouse. Check it out and see just how far a penny could go and the good works it acccomplished almost two centuries ago. On June 3rd our good neighbors to the south at the Almshouse, which is now called Parkhouse, will be celebrating their bicentennial. On display that day will be one of the paintings by famed “Almshouse Artist” Charles Hoffman. His story alone is worth the trip.

This summer we will be looking at the role of music in the cultural life of our community. Our annual Flag Day Dinner celebration on June 14th will afford us the opportunity to hear the music of the New Horizons Band which is a program for seniors originated by the Community Music School of Trappe. If you are in the area, we invite you to join us for an evening of good food and music for the entire family. A link to a reservation form and more information is available to you on our calendar.

Our Historian, Rev. Judith Meier, has provided an article on the significant role music has played in our community life. She has also provided us some precious insights into music in the colonial period from the writings of Gottlieb Mittelberger, an 18th century organ builder and musician, who lived in Trappe. They are posted in our Historian’s Corner. A Portative Organ of the type used during the colonial period has recently been installed in Pastor Muhlenberg’s house. Various items pertaining to our musical heritage are being brought to us by our members and friends. The ways people listened to music, the instruments they used to make music, as well as 19th and 20th century song books and sheet music will be on display in the Dewees Tavern.

To commemorate this Presidential election year we are collecting campaign memorabilia from the present and past elections. They will be displayed all summer in our Dewees Tavern which once served as the local polling place for Trappe residents. You can find out more about the role our Tavern played in the life of the community by visiting our Historian’s Corner or clicking on the Dewees Tavern link at your left.

Whether you live nearby or afar, we invite you to support our Society with your membership. While membership brings many tangible benefits such as access to our resources for research, continued contact through our Chronicle newsletter, and participation in our activities, the chief benefit is assuring that the mission of our Society to preserve the historical legacy of our community will continue long into the future.  A Membership form is available to your by clicking on Membership.

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you will visit our site again soon. Plan now to stop by in Trappe so we can meet face-to-face and chat awhile. The Dewees Tavern and Henry Muhlenberg House will be open on Sunday afternoons beginning on June 1st.

 

Bob Meschke, President