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 October 23, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PMWorld War II in Europe: The Second Front
On the night of June 5/6 the Allied invasion of France began when more than 17,000 Allied airborne troops parachuted behind the German lines in Normandy officially opening a bid to establish a second front on the European continent in World War II. Before the day ended over 156,000 Allied soldiers came ashore along a fifty mile stretch of beaches on the Norman coast. This was only the beginning of what would be eleven months of hard fighting that on May 7, 1945 caused Germany’s surrender and ended World War II in Europe. Taught by historian Michael Snyder and using lecture supplemented by power point and handouts, this course will cover Overlord (the planning and execution of D-Day), the fighting in hedge rows of Normandy and the breakout, the Falaise Pocket and the pursuit to West Wall, Operation Market Garden, the Battle of the Bulge, the crossing of the Rhine, and the German surrender. The emphasis will be on the military and political operations but will also look at life on the home front in the Schuylkill Valley. Where: Classes will be held at 1654 DeKalb Street, Norristown, PA, in the Meeting Room of the Historical Society of Montgomery County When: Wednesdays, October 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, November 6, 2019, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm Cost: Cost to attend this series is $80 for members of the Historical Society of Montgomery County and $100.00 for non-members. Contact us at 610-272-0297 or checkout our website at hsmcpa.org for more information or to register for the class.
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Thursday October 24, 7:00 PM - 8:00 PMCapital Sin: Murder in Montgomery CountyBy popular demand, we will be offering two evenings for this presentation! If you can't make it on October 24, 2019, join us on November 14, 2019 for the same program!
Join us for a presentation in our Making History Greater Series when Charles Kelly presents Capital Sin: Murder in Montgomery County. Mr. Kelly will review select murder cases and the trial outcomes that took place between 1877 and 1962 in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Among the cases are
The talk will focus on the persons, places and things that make up the means, motive and in some cases the unexpected verdicts of these cases which have long faded from the minds and memories of today’s residents. 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. Capital Sin: Murder in Montgomery County will take place on Thursday, October 24, 2019. 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. |
Wednesday October 30, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PMWorld War II in Europe: The Second Front
On the night of June 5/6 the Allied invasion of France began when more than 17,000 Allied airborne troops parachuted behind the German lines in Normandy officially opening a bid to establish a second front on the European continent in World War II. Before the day ended over 156,000 Allied soldiers came ashore along a fifty mile stretch of beaches on the Norman coast. This was only the beginning of what would be eleven months of hard fighting that on May 7, 1945 caused Germany’s surrender and ended World War II in Europe. Taught by historian Michael Snyder and using lecture supplemented by power point and handouts, this course will cover Overlord (the planning and execution of D-Day), the fighting in hedge rows of Normandy and the breakout, the Falaise Pocket and the pursuit to West Wall, Operation Market Garden, the Battle of the Bulge, the crossing of the Rhine, and the German surrender. The emphasis will be on the military and political operations but will also look at life on the home front in the Schuylkill Valley. Where: Classes will be held at 1654 DeKalb Street, Norristown, PA, in the Meeting Room of the Historical Society of Montgomery County When: Wednesdays, October 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, November 6, 2019, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm Cost: Cost to attend this series is $80 for members of the Historical Society of Montgomery County and $100.00 for non-members. Contact us at 610-272-0297 or checkout our website at hsmcpa.org for more information or to register for the class.
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Wednesday November 6, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PMWorld War II in Europe: The Second Front
On the night of June 5/6 the Allied invasion of France began when more than 17,000 Allied airborne troops parachuted behind the German lines in Normandy officially opening a bid to establish a second front on the European continent in World War II. Before the day ended over 156,000 Allied soldiers came ashore along a fifty mile stretch of beaches on the Norman coast. This was only the beginning of what would be eleven months of hard fighting that on May 7, 1945 caused Germany’s surrender and ended World War II in Europe. Taught by historian Michael Snyder and using lecture supplemented by power point and handouts, this course will cover Overlord (the planning and execution of D-Day), the fighting in hedge rows of Normandy and the breakout, the Falaise Pocket and the pursuit to West Wall, Operation Market Garden, the Battle of the Bulge, the crossing of the Rhine, and the German surrender. The emphasis will be on the military and political operations but will also look at life on the home front in the Schuylkill Valley. Where: Classes will be held at 1654 DeKalb Street, Norristown, PA, in the Meeting Room of the Historical Society of Montgomery County When: Wednesdays, October 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, November 6, 2019, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm Cost: Cost to attend this series is $80 for members of the Historical Society of Montgomery County and $100.00 for non-members. Contact us at 610-272-0297 or checkout our website at hsmcpa.org for more information or to register for the class.
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Saturday November 9, 12:00 PM - 3:00 PMAnnual Luncheon: The Astronomical Achievements of David RittenhouseLearn about the history of Montgomery County, and have a delicious lunch!
Meal Options are:
Tickets are $45.00 per person. Reservations due by November 1, 2019. For reservations or information contact HSMC at: 610-272-0297 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or use the button below. The Bay Pony Inn is located at 508 Old Skippack Pike, Harleysville, PA.
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Monday November 11 - All DayCLOSEDWe will be closed on Monday, November 11, 2019 in honor of Veterans' Day. |
Thursday November 14, 7:00 PM - 8:00 PMCapital Sin: Murder in Montgomery CountyBy popular demand, we are offering a second evening for this presentation to accomodate all of our visitors!
Join us for a presentation in our Making History Greater Series when Charles Kelly presents Capital Sin: Murder in Montgomery County. Mr. Kelly will review select murder cases and the trial outcomes that took place between 1877 and 1962 in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Among the cases are
The talk will focus on the persons, places and things that make up the means, motive and in some cases the unexpected verdicts of these cases which have long faded from the minds and memories of today’s residents. 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. Capital Sin: Murder in Montgomery County will take place on Thursday, November 14, 2019. 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. |
Wednesday November 27 - All DayCLOSING at 5:00 pmWe will be closing at 5:00 pm on Wednesday, November 27, 2019 in order to celebrate the Thanksgiving Day Holiday. |
Thursday November 28 - All DayCLOSEDWe will be closed on Thursday, November 28, 2019 in order to celebrate the Thanksgiving Day Holiday. |
Thursday December 5, 7:00 PM - 8:00 PMHistory of the King of Prussia Mall
For the past two years, author and historian Michael Shaw has been looking carefully at one of the largest malls in America. The King of Prussia Mall is one of Montgomery County’s most recognizable landmarks and, in terms of leasable retail space, is the largest mall in America. It has long been a shopper’s paradise and Michael Shaw is attempting to write the story of the mall from its opening in 1963 to today. Born 65 miles northwest of Manhattan in Middletown, NY, nestled in the picturesque Hudson River Valley, Michael Shaw gained a unique perspective of history from an early age. Both of his parents are former educators, who always appreciated and helped nurture Michael’s sense of history. Shaw majored in history at Ithaca College, settling in Bucks County, PA for a time before moving to King of Prussia in 1994. 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. Thursday presentations begin at 6:30 with a social gathering and light refreshments. Lectures begin at 7:00 and last for about an hour with time for questions at the end. This program is free and open to the public. |
Tuesday December 24 - All DayCLOSEDWe will be closed from Tuesday, December 24, 2019 through Thursday, January 9, 2020 for the holidays and to refresh our facility for the coming year. We will reopen on Monday, January 13, 2020. |
Monday February 17 - All DayCLOSEDThe Historical Society of Montgomery County will be closed on Monday, February 17, 2020 in honor of Presidents’ Day. |
The Historical Society of Montgomery County announces a new series of classes on the history of World War II in Europe!
This year’s topic for our Annual Luncheon presentation is: The Astronomical Achievements of David Rittenhouse. Born in 1732, David Rittenhouse came of age at a time when the entire world was turning its head towards science. Self-taught, Rittenhouse would become a craftsman, an astronomer, a surveyor, an instrument maker and a scientist. Alongside the likes of Benjamin Franklin, Rittenhouse would lead the early United States into the world of enlightenment. Rittenhouse served as President of the American Philosophical Society and as treasurer of Pennsylvania, and the first Director of the U.S. Mint. He observed the transit of Venus and helped to survey Pennsylvania’s borders. Join us on November 9, 2019 at the Bay Pony Inn in Lederach, PA for our Annual Luncheon and learn about the man whom Thomas Jefferson called an example of “New World genius.”