It’s encouraging to hear from some of you who stop by to catch up on what’s going on in “The Society.” If you are a “first timer”, I hope you find our site to be user friendly, able to provide you with the information you are seeking, and maybe even let you in on something you weren’t expecting to see. Our mission is not only to preserve, but also to inform others of our rich historical legacy. We’re always looking for ways to improve access to the rich history of our area and the people whose energy and vision formed the fabric of our communities and invite your comments on what you find here, as well as your questions about something you’re still looking for.

Our Society is committed to preserve the historic legacy of the Muhlenberg family in all its beautiful diversity. We are extremely thankful for the foresight our members and friends demonstrated in saving and restoring the Henry Melchior Muhlenberg residence in Trappe.

Soon after Pastor Muhlenberg arrived in Providence, his travels took him westward to Reading and beyond. On one such journey he befriended Conrad Weiser in Berks County and there he found his bride-to-be, Anna Maria Weiser. We were recently informed that the Weiser Homestead in Womelsdorf, Pa. may have to close due to the severe budgetary constraints the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is facing. A letter from the Friends of the Conrad Weiser Homestead giving more information and enlisting your support is posted in our Historian’s Corner.

Best known as “General”, the Rev. Peter Muhlenberg began his public life as a minister in Woodstock, Virginia. It was there that he is said to have removed his preaching robe, revealing his Virginia Regiment uniform underneath, as he proclaimed, “There is a time to pray and a time to fight…”.That robe was the subject of an “History Detectives”  program and is currently in the Lutheran Archives in Philadelphia. An event is planned in Virginia to raise funds to restore the robe. You can learn more about that event by checking our Historian’s Corner. Click on “Peter Muhlenberg’s Robe”.

Some years ago we received a donation of a 19^th century horse and wagon shed that once stood alongside a local church. As time passed, it was learned that we possessed the only example of this type of structure in Montgomery County. In recent years, age and weather have taken their toll. We are extremely grateful to Sunpower Builders for seeing the need and applying their expertise to restoring the shed. The care and maintenance of our historic structures is on-going. We are also presently looking at ways to reduce energy usage through weatherization and dream of the possibility that one day our energy needs will again be taken care of by the sun, just as they were in Pastor Muhlenberg’s day.

We will be opening our doors to visitors on Sunday afternoons beginning on May 31^st. We will be closed on June 14^th so everyone can attend our Annual Flag Day Dinner, and July 4^th and September 6^th. Our featured exhibit in the Dewees Museum centers on the rich history and diversity of Textiles across the centuries. We promise there will be something to interest every visitor. Our Gift Shoppe will also be open every Sunday. We are presently arranging for the placement of several additional family heirlooms that will be displayed in the Henry Melchior Muhlenberg House. We can also assist you with scheduling a tour of five or more persons of the Dewees Tavern Museum or the Henry Melchior Muhlenberg House the year around. As interested people contact us we can assemble tour groups to fit your schedule. Call us at 610-489-7560 or send an e-mail message for more information.

Flag Day has always been a special opportunity for the Society to gather. Our Annual Flag Day Dinner on June 14^th will mark a return to the Bay Pony Inn in Lederach with a special visit from Harry S. Truman portrayer, John Roushey. We gather for a social hour at 4:30 P.M. and dinner at 5:30 P.M. More information is in our Calendar or downloadable Spring 2009 Chronicle. I invite you to catch up on all our news plus another interesting article from our Historian by clicking on the Chronicle link.

As always, I close with a special invitation to you to become a part of the historical life of our community through your support of our Society with your membership and participation as a volunteer. We are presently seeking additional tour guides as well as helpers in all aspects of our life together. While your 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 you by clicking on Membership.

Your partner in preservation and education,

Rev. Bob Meschke, President

June 2009