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
Wednesday March 11, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PMReading Your House, Researching Your HomeMany people entering the doors of our Research Library & Archives are searching for information about their home. When was it built? What did it look like originally? Why does it look the way it does now? What can I do to preserve it? Who built it and who lived in it? Our new workshop series this spring will offer an introduction to some resources and tools that will help anyone discover a little more about their home. The workshop will take place on two evenings in March. Reading Your House, on March 11, 2020 will introduce attendees to the fundamental tools you’ll need to start seeing your house in a new light. We’ll cover introductory topics on historic architecture including: formal and vernacular architecture, regional differences in house types (pre-1850), basic styles and construction techniques from 1700 to 1920, how to measure and draw a house, and how to look around at the landscape of houses in Montgomery County. Part 2 of the course, on March 18, Researching Your Home, will examine various documents related to house construction and occupancy that will give researchers more information about how houses and architecture function. We’ll look at deeds and probate records, mechanics’ liens, maps, census and tax records, and other sources of documentary evidence relating to houses. We’ll also spend part of this session looking at various local and regional resources that relate to the restoration and preservation of historic architecture. Where: When: Cost: |
Wednesday March 18, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PMReading Your House, Researching Your HomeMany people entering the doors of our Research Library & Archives are searching for information about their home. When was it built? What did it look like originally? Why does it look the way it does now? What can I do to preserve it? Who built it and who lived in it? Our new workshop series this spring will offer an introduction to some resources and tools that will help anyone discover a little more about their home. The workshop will take place on two evenings in March. Reading Your House, on March 11, 2020 will introduce attendees to the fundamental tools you’ll need to start seeing your house in a new light. We’ll cover introductory topics on historic architecture including: formal and vernacular architecture, regional differences in house types (pre-1850), basic styles and construction techniques from 1700 to 1920, how to measure and draw a house, and how to look around at the landscape of houses in Montgomery County. Part 2 of the course, on March 18, Researching Your Home, will examine various documents related to house construction and occupancy that will give researchers more information about how houses and architecture function. We’ll look at deeds and probate records, mechanics’ liens, maps, census and tax records, and other sources of documentary evidence relating to houses. We’ll also spend part of this session looking at various local and regional resources that relate to the restoration and preservation of historic architecture. Where: When: Cost: |
Thursday March 26, 7:00 PM - 8:00 PMWinning the Vote: Celebrating 100 Years of Women’s Suffrage
Women began their long journey to achieving the power of the ballot when a determined group of activists gathered in 1848 for the first Woman’s Rights Convention at Seneca Falls, NY. Across the nation, suffrage societies undertook the difficult battle to convince a democratic government driven solely by men that “We the People of the United States” included women. For decades, the primary strategy to win the vote for women focused on passing laws state-by-state. The suffragist movement gained momentum when Alice Paul, a young Quaker intellectual, formed the National Woman’s Party, pushing for a federal amendment to the United States Constitution. Dora Lewis, a Philadelphia reformer and suffragist, became Alice Paul’s closest confidant and indefatigable supporter. Twenty-three years older than Miss Paul, Dora Lewis dedicated her efforts and social position to political action, pressuring the government to pass the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution. Mrs. Lewis was arrested while carrying protest banners in front of the White House as a “Silent Sentinel”. She served as the spokeswoman during the infamous “Night of Terror” at the Occoquan Workhouse and endured being forcibly fed after hunger-striking. Nothing stopped Mrs. Lewis’ commitment to a woman’s right to vote. Her protest banner quoted President Wilson’s words, “Conquer or Submit”. Dora Lewis would not submit. Women finally achieved the right to vote in 1920. One hundred years later, we have almost forgotten the struggle and sacrifice involved in the battle for a privilege that is too often taken for granted today. You are invited to meet Dora Lewis, National Woman’s Party Ratification Chair, to learn more about this important moment in women’s history. Carol Spacht has extensive experience performing for children. She studied theatre at Villanova University and graduated with highest honors from Eastern University with degrees in Literature and Theatre Arts. An alumna of Germantown Theatre Guild and the Main Point’s Peanut Butter Theatre, she began performing solo in 1995. As part of its mission to promote and interpret the history of Montgomery County, 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. Presentations are held at the Historical Society located at 1654 DeKalb Street in Norristown, PA. Thursday presentations begin at 6:30p.m.with a social gathering and light refreshments. Presentations begin around 7:00 and last for about an hour with time for questions at the end. This program is free and open to the public. |
Wednesday April 15, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PMThe Early Years of the American Revolution
Taught by historian Michael Snyder and using lecture supplemented by power point and handouts, this course will follow America's Revolutionary War from its antecedents through the 2nd Battle of Trenton and the Battle of Princeton in Jan. 1777. Where: When: Cost: Contact us at 610-272-0297 to register for the class. |
Saturday May 23, 11:00 AM - 1:00 PMMemorial Day Observance
With almost 6000 known burials, Historic Montgomery Cemetery holds the remains of some of the most prominent citizens, veterans and reformers in the county and nation. Over 400 veterans are buried in Montgomery Cemetery from the War of 1812 through the Korean War. The observance will begin at 11:00 am and ends at 1:00 pm.
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Monday May 25 - All DayCLOSEDThe Historical Society of Montgomery County will be closed on Monday, May 25, 2020 in honor of Memorial Day. |
Saturday July 4 - All DayCLOSEDThe Historical Society of Montgomery County will be closed on Saturday, July 4, 2020 in honor of Independence Day. |
Join us for our next presentation in our Making History Greater Series when Carol Spacht presents Winning the Vote: Celebrating 100 Years of Women’s Suffrage.
The Historical Society of Montgomery County announces a new series of classes on the story of the first years of the American Revolution.
We will be hosting our Annual Memorial Day Observance on Saturday, May 23, 2020 at