Trappe Collegeville Perkiomen Valley Historical Society

	The Historical Society of Trappe, Collegeville, Perkiomen Valley, Inc. Trappe, PA 19426
301 W. Main St.		201 W. Main St.

Reviewed: 25 June 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:For additional information, please press here.

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.

For web site problems or suggestions, please press here.

Web hosting furnished by Holcombe Funeral Home, Inc. Trappe, PA

Internet service funded by TR Insurance Group. Collegeville, PA

TR Insurance Group

June 2008

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

I hope you find our site to be user friendly and able to provide you with the information you are seeking. Take a few minutes to browse our many interesting articles and be sure to check out the calendar before signing off. As always, a message from you is welcome and expected.

Our Annual Flag Day Dinner provided us with a joy-filled evening of good friends, a fine dinner and a rousing encore of music provided by the “Trappe Troupe”, a New Horizons Band program of the Community Music school right here in Trappe. It was the perfect way to kick-off our summer emphasis on the musical life in our community –old and new.

Dewees Tavern Museum this summer is a fine collection of musical instruments, music book and sheet music, ways people listened to music, and a special showcase dedicated the Beatles.

In addition, we have also recently installed a Portative Organ of the type used during the colonial period in Pastor Muhlenberg’s house.
We have also received a number of items from members and friends commemorating past and present election campaigns. These are also on display in the Dewees Museum which once served as the local polling place for Trappe residents, along with other artifacts that mark the rich history of our community.

The Dewees Museum at 301 West Main Street and the Henry Melchior Muhlenberg House at 201 West Main Street are open to visitors on Sundays through September 20 th. Special arrangements can be made for group visits. Call us at 610-489-7560 or send an e-mail message for more information.

During your visit be sure to visit our Muhlenberg garden planted and tended with loving care by our members and friends. Also new to our grounds are two Dogwood trees recently donated and planted by Dr. Ivan Hess and Mr. Erich Hess.

The restored Henry M. Muhlenberg House was dedicated in August 1998. To commemorate this tenth anniversary we plan to have an open house on Heritage Day (September 20 th with persons on hand to talk informally about the restoration project. Mr. John Gottschall, the builder and donor of the Portative Organ will also be present to provide organ music on this precious instrument.

Heritage Day provides our entrée into fall. On September 20 from 10 A.M. to 4 P.M. a host of colonial crafters will be on hand to demonstrate their work. Some of our farm machinery collection will also be on display. Light refreshment will be available. Heritage Day commemorates the crossing of the Schuylkill River at Parker-ford and the march of the Continental Army from Brandywine to regroup in our environs.

Other events in our area promise to make the summer a memorable one for residents and visitors alike. Please take a look at our calendar and then mark yours as a reminder to come visit with us.

Wherever you live, we invite you become a part of the historical life of our community through your support of 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. Better yet, plan now to stop by in Trappe so we can meet face-to-face and chat awhile.

Bob Meschke, President
The Historical Society
of Trappe, Collegeville, Perkiomen Valley, Inc.
P.O. Box 26806,
Collegevillle PA 19426-0806 610-489-7560
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