The Historical Society presents a variety of events and programs throughout the year. We invite you to join us - you'll always learn something new!
Upcoming Events
Saturday October 20 - All DayCLOSEDOur research library will be closed on October 20, 2018 so that our staff and volunteers can participate in our Strategic Planning Summit. Our apologies for any inconvenience! |
Thursday October 25, 7:00 PM - 8:00 PMBlack October: The 1918 Influenza Epidemic in Montgomery County and the Surrounding AreaJoin us for our next presentation in our Making History Greater Series when Charles Kelly presents Black October: The 1918 Influenza Epidemic in Montgomery County and the Surrounding Area.
The Making History Greater series features scholars, authors, and historians who are currently working on telling new stories about the complexity of our region’s history. Black October: The 1918 Influenza Epidemic in Montgomery County will take place on Thursday, October 25, 2018. The evening will begin at 6:30 with a social gathering and light refreshments. The presentation will begin at 7:00 pm and last for about an hour with time for questions at the end. This program is free and open to the public. |
Saturday October 27, 5:00 PM - 6:30 PMCemetery Tour: The Culture of DeathThe Historical Society of Montgomery County will present a walking tour and presentation that examines the changing cultural beliefs in America surrounding death and dying. Nothing is certain except death and taxes. Culturally, however, the American way of death is anything but certain. Over time, popular funeral and burial rituals of have changed dramatically as we have shifted our attitudes towards death. This special tour of Historic Montgomery Cemetery on October 27, 2018, from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm, includes a walking tour of the cemetery followed by refreshments and a presentation in the Gatehouse that will examine how America’s attitudes towards death have changed since early European settlement. The Historical Society’s Executive Director, Barry Rauhauser, will illustrate how global patterns in culture affect the way we view aging and death and look at how some of America’s historical events helped to create a unique American view on death and dying With almost 6,000 known burials, Historic Montgomery Cemetery holds the remains of some of the most prominent citizens, veterans, and reformers in the county and nation. From five Civil War generals to many captains of industry, it tells the story of the nation through the lives it represents. The entrance to Montgomery Cemetery is at the end of Hartranft Avenue, off of West Main Street, Norristown. Parking during the event will be made available inside the Cemetery gates. Tickets for the event are $15 and include the walking tour, refreshments and presentation. Tickets are limited so call 610-272-0297 to purchase tickets for this event. |
Monday October 29, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PMHeritage & Hops: Beer Tasting, Bike Ride & Cemetery TourLooking for something to do this Fall?? How about a bike ride, cemetery tour & beer tasting? Perfect ingredients for some FUN IN THE FALL.
SPACE IS LIMITED SO GET YOUR SPOT TODAY. |
Saturday November 10 - All DayCLOSEDWe will be closed on Saturday, November 10, 2018 and Monday, November 12, 2018 in honor of Veterans' Day. |
Saturday November 10, 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM2018 Annual LuncheonVisit the beautiful Joseph Ambler Inn, learn about the history of Montgomery County, and have a delicious lunch! This year’s topic for our Annual Luncheon presentation is: Sidetracked: The Mysteries We Uncover When We Aren’t Looking for Them. Our staff and volunteers are frequently helping researchers find needles in haystacks that will add to the histories of their families, their towns, or their houses. But, quite often, solving one simple question opens a hundred new questions and an entirely new story. During this year’s Annual Luncheon, we’ll talk about three stories that we unraveled while getting sidetracked helping others with their research. You’ll learn about a man in Norristown who became a “refreshment dealer.” You’ll hear how we uncovered the mystery of the English inventor, Edward Ingleton. You’ll also discover the story of James Morris Johnson, a man convicted of murder for causing a train wreck at Valley forge in 1949. So, join us for our Annual Luncheon, and hear more about these “new” stories.
The Annual Luncheon will be held on Saturday, November 10, 2018, Noon – 3:00 pm at the Joseph Ambler Inn located at 1005 Horsham Road, North Wales, PA. The event will be held in the Bonniemeade Room. |
Monday November 12 - All DayCLOSEDWe will be closed on Saturday, November 10, 2018 and Monday, November 12, 2018 in honor of Veterans' Day. |
Thursday November 22 - All DayCLOSEDWe will be closed on Thursday, November 22, 2018 and Saturday, November 24, 2018 in order to celebrate the Thanksgiving Day weekend. |
Saturday November 24 - All DayCLOSEDWe will be closed on Thursday, November 22, 2018 and Saturday, November 24, 2018 in order to celebrate the Thanksgiving Day weekend. |
Tuesday December 4, 6:30 PM - 7:30 PMIntroduction to Using DNA Testing in Genealogy
Our next special-topic genealogy class, Introduction to Using DNA Testing in Genealogy, will take place on Tuesday, December 4, 2018, at 6:30 pm. Over the past few years at-home DNA tests have become quite popular tools for genealogists. But as with any new tool, there is a learning curve! Genealogist Sydney Cruice Dixon will help introduce you to this new instrument in the genealogical toolbelt and take some of the mystery out of what genealogical information you may be able to get out of the new DNA tests. Sydney F. Cruice Dixon is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists. She has been actively researching family genealogies since 1995. In addition to conducting research and providing genealogical coaching, Dixon currently teaches both beginner and intermediate level genealogy courses. She also lectures regularly throughout the tri-state area. She is also a member of the planning committee for the Main Line Genealogy Club in the Philadelphia area.
The program is $10 for members of the Historical Society of Montgomery County and just $20 for non-members. Please contact the historical society at (610) 272-0297 to reserve your spot! |
Monday December 24 - All DayCLOSEDWe will be closed from Monday, December 24, 2018 through Thursday, January 3, 2018 so that we may celebrate the holidays and prepare for the coming year! We will reopen on Saturday, January 5, 2019. |
Tuesday December 25 - All DayCLOSEDWe will be closed from Monday, December 24, 2018 through Thursday, January 3, 2018 so that we may celebrate the holidays and prepare for the coming year! We will reopen on Saturday, January 5, 2019. |
Wednesday December 26 - All DayCLOSEDWe will be closed from Monday, December 24, 2018 through Thursday, January 3, 2018 so that we may celebrate the holidays and prepare for the coming year! We will reopen on Saturday, January 5, 2019. |
Thursday December 27 - All DayCLOSEDWe will be closed from Monday, December 24, 2018 through Thursday, January 3, 2018 so that we may celebrate the holidays and prepare for the coming year! We will reopen on Saturday, January 5, 2019. |
Friday December 28 - All DayCLOSEDWe will be closed from Monday, December 24, 2018 through Thursday, January 3, 2018 so that we may celebrate the holidays and prepare for the coming year! We will reopen on Saturday, January 5, 2019. |
The 1918 flu pandemic affected over 500 million people around the world. Wonder why little was spoken about this worldwide plague? Join us for a discussion that will examine the effects of the 1918 Influenza Pandemic on the people of Southeastern Pennsylvania. The 1918 Flu Pandemic killed an estimated 74,000 Pennsylvanians, nearly 13,000 in Philadelphia alone. To prepare his lecture Kelly reviewed local newspaper accounts, numerous web sources, books, as well as publications and Pennsylvania Death Certificates for Montgomery, Philadelphia, Bucks, Berks, Delaware, Chester and Lehigh Counties.
For 2018, the Historical Society of Montgomery County has added a few new special-topic genealogy classes to its schedule!