Historic Trappe

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Historic Trappe We preserve and share the historic places, landscapes, and heritage of southeastern Pennsylvania.

We offer a research library, archives, and exhibitions at our Center for Pennsylvania German Studies, two historic houses, and gardens open to the public.

Do you remember this Federal looking glass featuring President George Washington that we posted about way back in Februa...
10/19/2026

Do you remember this Federal looking glass featuring President George Washington that we posted about way back in February? Before it was donated to Historic Trappe, the mirrored glass was shattered and the glass tablet was badly cracked, but with your help and a grant from the Cleveland Foundation, we raised the funds to restore it.

Work on the gilded frame is ongoing, but the tablet was recently delivered back to us by conservator Debra Breslin. This beautiful, reverse-painted glass panel features an engraved portrait of Washington in the middle. The engraving was printed in 1792 after a portrait of Washington painted by Edward Savage following Washington’s visit to Harvard University in 1789. Washington is shown in uniform wearing the medal of the Society of the Cincinnati—an organization of which Peter Muhlenberg was also a member.

Stay tuned for more updates as this conservation project continues!
Donations to our Collections Fund, which supports acquisitions and conservation, are always welcome. You can donate by visiting https://historictrappe.app.neoncrm.com/forms/collections-fund or clicking the link in our bio to donate.

It’s spooky season and that means it's time for Historic Trappe's third annual Tombstone Tales and our first ever Terrif...
10/18/2026

It’s spooky season and that means it's time for Historic Trappe's third annual Tombstone Tales and our first ever Terrifying Tales! This year's Tombstone Tales include Jacob Peterman, a soldier in the War of 1812; Benjamin Simons, a Civil War soldier who was killed in action; Jonas and Christiana Longabaugh, the grandparents of the Sundance Kid; and Ludwig and Agnes Ewald; some of Trappe's first residents.

Tombstone Tales will be held on October 24 and 31 at 1 pm and 3 pm, and Terrifying Tales will be held on October 31 at 6 pm. Tickets also include admission to the Dewees Tavern. Please note that Dewees is only open from 10 am to 4 pm.

Location: St. Luke’s Cemetery, next to the Dewees Tavern, 301 W. Main St., Trappe, PA
Cost: $15 Members, $20 Non-members, $5 Students (18 and under)
Tours are limited to 10 people. No walk-ins.

In addition to a silent auction at this year’s Party for Preservation gala, we will also be holding a live auction, feat...
10/17/2026

In addition to a silent auction at this year’s Party for Preservation gala, we will also be holding a live auction, featuring special items such as this patriotic redware charger by Selinda Kennedy featuring an American eagle. Stay tuned for more auction highlights!

Support Historic Trappe's mission of preservation and education at our biggest fundraiser of the year. This special evening begins with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, followed by a seated dinner and a presentation of the Speaker’s Choice Award to Katharine Booth, one of the foremost collectors of American folk art and a longtime supporter of Historic Trappe. Bid on unique experiences at regional venues and works of art by local artisans in the silent and live auctions.

Tickets are on sale now at historictrappe.org/gala

Location: RiverCrest Golf Club & Preserve, Phoenixville, PA
Date & Time: Sunday, October 25, 5 to 9 pm

We are happy to be part of a webtalk series hosted by the Franckesche Stiftungen (Francke Foundations) regarding our ne...
10/16/2026

We are happy to be part of a webtalk series hosted by the Franckesche Stiftungen (Francke Foundations) regarding our newly opened site, the Speaker’s House, and first speaker Frederick Muhlenberg! Join us live on October 27 at 1 pm and November 4 at 12 pm! Link below.

How does a pastor's son become America's first Speaker? Frederick Augustus Muhlenberg (1750–1801), first Speaker of the US House of Representatives and first signer of the Bill of Rights, spent his schooldays at the Francke Foundations – one of the most remarkable educational institutions of its time in Prussia. This web talk from the Francke Foundations in Halle focuses on his education: Why did he study in Halle rather than North America? What did he learn there – and what made the Halle approach so distinctive? Friederike Lippold uncovers stories from sources and testimonies of Muhlenberg's schooling with Tom Gärtig, curator of the Historic Orphanage and of the exhibition »Total real. Die Entdeckung der Anschaulichkeit« and Dr. Markus Berger, researcher in the edition project on the correspondence of Halle's pastors from North America.

Visit www.francke-halle.de/en/programme/event/perspectives-ideas-stories-811 on the day of the event to join the webtalk.

Join us on Saturday, November 14, from 9 am to 12 pm for a Fraktur Letter Workshop! Learn how to use pen and ink to crea...
10/16/2026

Join us on Saturday, November 14, from 9 am to 12 pm for a Fraktur Letter Workshop! Learn how to use pen and ink to create an elaborate letter in the Fraktur style of the late 1700s. Participants will also have the option to grain-paint their own frame to fit their finished 8x10 piece. Perfect to give as a gift or keep as your own.

All ability levels are welcome, ages 13-100! All materials are included. Watercolor sets will be available for purchase from Emily for $20.

Location: Visitor Center behind the Muhlenberg House, 201 W. Main St. Trappe, PA

Cost: $80 Member, $85 Non-Member. Advanced registration required. This workshop is limited to 10 people.

The silent auction at this year’s Party for Preservation will include dozens of unique experiences, such as this Christm...
10/15/2026

The silent auction at this year’s Party for Preservation will include dozens of unique experiences, such as this Christmas package donated by Arader Farm! Bring the family to cut your own tree or pick from a beautiful selection of fresh-cut options, take home a wreath, and other items from the gift shop. Stay tuned for more auction highlights!

Support Historic Trappe's mission of preservation and education at our biggest fundraiser of the year. This special evening begins with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, followed by a seated dinner and a presentation of the Speaker’s Choice Award to Katharine Booth, one of the foremost collectors of American folk art and a longtime supporter of Historic Trappe. Bid on unique experiences at regional venues and works of art by local artisans in the silent and live auctions.

Tickets are on sale now at historictrappe.org/gala

Location: RiverCrest Golf Club & Preserve, Phoenixville, PA
Date & Time: Sunday, October 25, 5 to 9 pm

10/14/2026

Historic Trappe's gift shop is stocked for the fall! Whether you’re a lover of pumpkins, gourds, spices, and other fall flavors, our gift shop in the Dewees Tavern has what you need! We have redware pumpkins by potter Greg Shooner, gourd figures by Meadowbrooke Gourds, c***r spices by Oliver Pluff & Co., and much more!

Stop by every weekend, or by appointment. Visit HistoricTrappe.org for more info

Just a few spots remain–sign up now!Explore the fascinating history of Pennsylvania German redware pottery, from how the...
10/14/2026

Just a few spots remain–sign up now!

Explore the fascinating history of Pennsylvania German redware pottery, from how the clay was dug and processed, to the role and life of the potter within local culture. Students will start with a prepared slab of red clay with white slip and cut out at least 5 ornament shapes. Then, using the sgraffito method, we’ll scratch through the colored slip for our fraktur designs. Patterns will be provided, based on historic Pennsylvania German redware. Learn how to take traditional images and make them your own through clay.

All ability levels are welcome, ages 13-100!

After the workshop, Emily will bisque fire your pieces, cover them in a clear glaze, and fire once more. Ornaments can be picked up 4 weeks after the workshop. Pick up is at the Dewees Tavern at Historic Trappe.

Location: Visitor Center behind the Muhlenberg House, 201 W. Main St. Trappe, PA

Cost: $70 Member, $75 Non-Member. Each workshop session is limited to 10 people.

Last call to buy tickets for this year's Party for Preservation Gala! The deadline is this Thursday, October 15.Visit hi...
10/13/2026

Last call to buy tickets for this year's Party for Preservation Gala! The deadline is this Thursday, October 15.

Visit historictrappe.org/gala to get your tickets now!

This special evening begins with cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, followed by a seated dinner, and a presentation of the Speaker's Choice award to Katharine Booth, one of the foremost collectors of American folk art and a longtime supporter of Historic Trappe. Bid on unique experiences at regional venues and works of art by local artisans in the silent and live auctions.

We hope to see you on October 25!

Time: 5 - 9 pm
Location: RiverCrest Golf Club & Preserve.
100 Rivercrest Drive, Phoenixville, PA 19460

10/13/2026

Thank you all for making this year's Harvest Fair an amazing community celebration! There was great music and food, enthusiastic demonstrators, and plenty of smiling faces!

Special thanks to Weaver's Orchard, Arader Farm, Americana Corner, Catering by Brenda Carter, Kimberton Whole Foods, and Philly Pretzel Factory for supporting this event!

Be sure to check our website for all of the Christmas events coming soon! HistoricTrappe.org/events

Address

301 W. Main Street
Trappe, PA
19426

Opening Hours

Saturday 10am - 4pm
Sunday 12pm - 4pm

Telephone

+16104897560

Website

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