Nov 14: Annual Luncheon
The Historical Society’s 2026 Annual Luncheon will be held at Corbett’s Experience Center on Saturday, November 14, 2026 from noon to 2:30 pm.
Karen Ploch
Charles C. Hofmann
Since this is my last week at HSMC, I wanted to write about one of my favorite pieces in the collection. We have written about the Montgomery County Almshouse in prior blogs and many of you have seen our painting of it at HSMC headquarters. However, you may not know the story behind the artist,… Read More »Charles C. Hofmann
New Rittenhouse Clock
Over the summer, we received a very special donation from Craig R. Bertolett, Jr. On display now in our meeting room is a beautiful Rittenhouse clock! That’s right, HSMC now has two of Rittenhouse’s clocks in our collection.
Dr. Mary P. Hough
We have another article found in HSMC’s microfilm collection by former Board President and volunteer Charles Kelly. This time he was reading the Whitemarsh Valley News. Dr. Mary P. Hough was a pioneering woman doctor and noted historian in the Ambler area. She had a long obituary written in the paper on July 31, 1942. Whitemarsh… Read More »Dr. Mary P. Hough
Nelson Dairies
This is the time of year when most people enjoy frozen treats like ice cream. In the collection at HSMC, we have an emery board advertising a local ice cream maker from our county. Emery Board Advertising Nelson Dairies, 2023.044.002, HSMC Collection Nelson Dairies started as a family dairy business in Royersford in 1916. They… Read More »Nelson Dairies
Brewster Planes Strike
We have another article uncovered by former Board President and volunteer Charles Kelly from the Glenside News. The article mentions thousands of employees of the Brewster Aeronautical Corporation went on strike in August 1943. Glenside News, August 26, 1943, HSMC Microfilm Collection By August 26, 1943, at least 4,500 out of 6,000 production employees at the… Read More »Brewster Planes Strike
Star and Eagle
If you have seen our current exhibit Downtown Then and Now you likely noticed the large sign on display (see below picture). Star and Eagle Sign, 2019.029.001 The Star and Eagle was a former tea shop located in Center Square during the Great Depression. It only operated in the summers and was owned by Martha… Read More »Star and Eagle
Lieutenant James W. Slater
As you have heard us say many times before, the Times Herald and other local newspapers are a great resource for genealogists. Recently, former Board President and volunteer Charles Kelly, found a detailed obituary for Lieutenant James W. Slater of Norristown. April 28, 1943, Times Herald, HSMC Microfilm Collection Before entering the US military in… Read More »Lieutenant James W. Slater
Major David Krause
We have several items connected to military history at HSMC, including some uniforms and hats. One example is this military helmet with a number 11 on the front. On the inside of the helmet is a stamp that is marked “St. Nicholas Hotel No. 519 B-Way, Warnock & Co, New York”. Helmet, 1914.3266.001, HSMC Collection… Read More »Major David Krause
A Poem from Graeme Park
A few months ago, we had a researcher inquire about any archival materials we had connected to Elizabeth Graeme Fergusson (1737-1801). For those of you who may not know about Elizabeth, she was a well-known poet and literary leader in the Philadelphia area. As you could probably guess by her maiden name, she was also… Read More »A Poem from Graeme Park