Preserving the History of Ambler, Whitpain and Lower Gwynedd

Headquartered in the Whitpain 1895 Public School, the Wissahickon Valley Historical Society serves to educate the public about the heritage and history of the people, institutions and events that have influenced and shaped the communities of the Wissahickon School District which encompasses Whitpain Township, Lower Gwynedd Township and the Borough of Ambler.

Who We Are
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Founded in 1975 as a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, the Wissahickon Valley Historical Society’s purpose is to preserve the local historical buildings, artifacts and folklore of the historic Wissahickon Valley.

The Franklinville School
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The Franklinville School c.1858 is a white stucco one-room schoolhouse on an acre of ground, located at 1701 Morris Road, Blue Bell, between Normandy Farms Estates and the Windermere Community.  It is the only one-room schoolhouse open to the public in Whitpain Township.

The 1895 Public School
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The two-story schoolhouse has a Library containing deeds, wills, photos, books, maps and genealogies, a 19th Century School Room and a Museum of local artifacts, focusing on items, pictures and records from the early farms and our industrial past.

Coming Events

Click to view our latest newsletter!

Unless otherwise noted, our programs take place at the 1895 Public School, 799 W. Skippack Pike, Blue Bell, PA 19422

Please note that there are no Open Houses in January and February

Monday, January 13th at 7:00:

“The Writings of George Washington” Presented by Russ Bellavance 

Monday, February 10th at 7:00:

“The Battle of Whitemarsh” Presented by Bob Bradley

Featured

Emmy Simon’s Postcard Collection: Emmy Simon is a longtime WHVS volunteer and board member. Her extensive postcard collection of the local area can be found below.

Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_01_Butler Ave, Ambler, Pa
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_01_Butler Ave, Ambler, Pa
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_02_Main St, Ambler, Pa
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_02_Main St, Ambler, Pa
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_03_Butler Ave, Business District, Ambler, Pa_18 Jun 1973
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_03_Butler Ave, Business District, Ambler, Pa_18 Jun 1973
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_04_Butler Ave, Ambler, Pa
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_04_Butler Ave, Ambler, Pa
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_05_Heart of Ambler (Roberts Drug Store, Wyndham, First Nat Bank, Lindenwold Terr)_22 Oct 1907
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_05_Heart of Ambler (Roberts Drug Store, Wyndham, First Nat Bank, Lindenwold Terr)_22 Oct 1907
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_06_Hotel Ambler_7 Oct 1905
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_06_Hotel Ambler_7 Oct 1905
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_07_Reading RR Station, Ambler, Pa_1912
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_07_Reading RR Station, Ambler, Pa_1912
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_08_Butler Ave, Ambler, Pa_c 1905
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_08_Butler Ave, Ambler, Pa_c 1905
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_09_P&R Rwy Station, Ambler, Pa_5 Sep 1912
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_09_P&R Rwy Station, Ambler, Pa_5 Sep 1912
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_10_Wissahickon Fire House & Town Hall, Ambler, Pa_Sep 1926
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_10_Wissahickon Fire House & Town Hall, Ambler, Pa_Sep 1926
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_11_Railroad Station, Ambler, Pa_7 Apr 1950
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_11_Railroad Station, Ambler, Pa_7 Apr 1950
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_12_Wissahickon Fire Company, Ambler, Pa_1908
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_12_Wissahickon Fire Company, Ambler, Pa_1908
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_13_Lucky Well Motel, Bethlehem Pike (Rt 309), Ambler, Pa
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_13_Lucky Well Motel, Bethlehem Pike (Rt 309), Ambler, Pa
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_14_Hotel Ambler, Ambler, Pa_7 Sep 1906
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_14_Hotel Ambler, Ambler, Pa_7 Sep 1906
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_15_Hotel Ambler, Ambler, Pa
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_15_Hotel Ambler, Ambler, Pa
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_16_Ambler Hotel, Ambler, Pa
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_16_Ambler Hotel, Ambler, Pa
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_17_Three Tuns Inn, Near Ambler
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_17_Three Tuns Inn, Near Ambler
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_18_ Royal Oaks Restaurant, Tennis Ave (off Rt 309) Ambler, Pa_1950
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_18_ Royal Oaks Restaurant, Tennis Ave (off Rt 309) Ambler, Pa_1950
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_19_Old Mill Manor House, Bethleham Pk & Tennis Ave, Ambler, Pa
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_19_Old Mill Manor House, Bethleham Pk & Tennis Ave, Ambler, Pa
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_20_Sunset on the Wissahickon, Ambler, Pa_1912
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_20_Sunset on the Wissahickon, Ambler, Pa_1912
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_21_Trinity Memorial Church, Ambler, Pa
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_21_Trinity Memorial Church, Ambler, Pa
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_22_Calvary Methodist Church, Lindenwold Ave, Ambler, Pa
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_22_Calvary Methodist Church, Lindenwold Ave, Ambler, Pa
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_23_Trinity Memorial Church, Ambler, Pa
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_23_Trinity Memorial Church, Ambler, Pa
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_24_Trinity Memorial Church, Ambler, Pa
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_24_Trinity Memorial Church, Ambler, Pa
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_25_St Anthonys Catholic Church, Ambler, Pa
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_25_St Anthonys Catholic Church, Ambler, Pa
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_26_Mt Pleasant Baptist Church, Ambler, Pa_Sep 1901
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_26_Mt Pleasant Baptist Church, Ambler, Pa_Sep 1901
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_27_Mt Pleasant Baptist Church, Ambler, Pa_30 Jan 1906
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_27_Mt Pleasant Baptist Church, Ambler, Pa_30 Jan 1906
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_28_First Presbyterian Church, Ambler, Pa_Sep 1909
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_28_First Presbyterian Church, Ambler, Pa_Sep 1909
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_29_Calvary M E Church, Ambler, Pa
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_29_Calvary M E Church, Ambler, Pa
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_30_St Anthonys Catholic Church, Ambler, Pa
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_30_St Anthonys Catholic Church, Ambler, Pa
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_31_First Presbyterian Church, Ambler, Pa_17 Jul 1955
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_31_First Presbyterian Church, Ambler, Pa_17 Jul 1955
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_32_Trinity Green, Ambler, Pa
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_32_Trinity Green, Ambler, Pa
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_33_Lindenwold Terrace, Ambler, Pa_17 Jul 1090
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_33_Lindenwold Terrace, Ambler, Pa_17 Jul 1090
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_34_Residence of Dr Mattison, Ambler, Pa
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_34_Residence of Dr Mattison, Ambler, Pa
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_35_Loch Linden, Ambler, Pa
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_35_Loch Linden, Ambler, Pa
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_36_Lindenwold Terrace, Ambler, Pa_9 Sep 1908
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_36_Lindenwold Terrace, Ambler, Pa_9 Sep 1908
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_37_The Towers (Tourist Rt 309), Ambler, Pa_21 Jul 1949
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_37_The Towers (Tourist Rt 309), Ambler, Pa_21 Jul 1949
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_38_Meade Residence, Ambler, Pa
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_38_Meade Residence, Ambler, Pa
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_39_Dr Mattison Residence, Ambler, Pa_1925
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_39_Dr Mattison Residence, Ambler, Pa_1925
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_40_Artman Home, Ambler, Pa_26 Jun 1924
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_40_Artman Home, Ambler, Pa_26 Jun 1924
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_41_Upper Dublin School, Ambler, Pa_27 Aug 1919
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_41_Upper Dublin School, Ambler, Pa_27 Aug 1919
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_42_Hotel Wyndham, Ambler, Pa_23 Sep 1913
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_42_Hotel Wyndham, Ambler, Pa_23 Sep 1913
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_43_View from tower House, Ambler, Pa_30 Jan 1906
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_43_View from tower House, Ambler, Pa_30 Jan 1906
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_44_Hotel Wyndham and First National Bank, Ambler, Pa_27 May 1907
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_44_Hotel Wyndham and First National Bank, Ambler, Pa_27 May 1907
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_45_The Ambler Garage, Ambler, Pa_c 1915
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_45_The Ambler Garage, Ambler, Pa_c 1915
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_46_Identified as Butler Pike & Bethlehem Pike, Ambler, Pa_9 Jul 1907
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_46_Identified as Butler Pike & Bethlehem Pike, Ambler, Pa_9 Jul 1907
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_47_Hotel Wyndham & First National Bank, Ambler, Pa
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_47_Hotel Wyndham & First National Bank, Ambler, Pa
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_48_Bell Telephone Building, Butler Ave, Ambler, Pa_6 Apr 1911
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_48_Bell Telephone Building, Butler Ave, Ambler, Pa_6 Apr 1911
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_49_Wissahickon Bridge, Ambler, Pa
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_49_Wissahickon Bridge, Ambler, Pa
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_50_Business Centre, Ambler, Pa_6 Jul 1933
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_50_Business Centre, Ambler, Pa_6 Jul 1933
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_51_Knight Building, Ambler, Pa_26 Apr 1906
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_51_Knight Building, Ambler, Pa_26 Apr 1906
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_52_Opera House, Ambler, Pa_5 Jul 1913
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_52_Opera House, Ambler, Pa_5 Jul 1913
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_53_Opera House, Ambler, Pa_21 May 1908
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_53_Opera House, Ambler, Pa_21 May 1908
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_54_Opera House Block, Ambler, Pa
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_54_Opera House Block, Ambler, Pa
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_55_Opera House, Ambler, Pa
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_55_Opera House, Ambler, Pa
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_56_Ambler National Bank, Ambler, Pa_31 May 1961
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_56_Ambler National Bank, Ambler, Pa_31 May 1961
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_57_Ambler Trust Co, Ambler, Pa
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_57_Ambler Trust Co, Ambler, Pa
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_58_Post Office, Ambler, Pa
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_58_Post Office, Ambler, Pa
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_59_Post Office, Ambler, Pa_24 Aug 1908
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_59_Post Office, Ambler, Pa_24 Aug 1908
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_60_Hendricks Street, Ambler, Pa_12 Feb 1919
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_60_Hendricks Street, Ambler, Pa_12 Feb 1919
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_61_Birds Eye View of Ambler from School House, Ambler, Pa
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_61_Birds Eye View of Ambler from School House, Ambler, Pa
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_62_Old Wissahickon Bridge near Ambler , Pa_1907
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_62_Old Wissahickon Bridge near Ambler , Pa_1907
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_63_Shingle Plant, Ambler, Pa
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_63_Shingle Plant, Ambler, Pa
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_64_Dawesfield Mansion (near Ambler, Pa) Headquarters of Generals Washington & Lafayette_25 Sep 1909
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_64_Dawesfield Mansion (near Ambler, Pa) Headquarters of Generals Washington & Lafayette_25 Sep 1909
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_65_Dawesfield Mansion near Ambler, Pa
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_65_Dawesfield Mansion near Ambler, Pa
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_66_Dawesfield Mansion near Ambler, Pa_20 Oct 1906
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_66_Dawesfield Mansion near Ambler, Pa_20 Oct 1906
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_67_Broad Axe Hotel, Broad Axe, Pa_23 May 1913
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_67_Broad Axe Hotel, Broad Axe, Pa_23 May 1913
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_68_Vaux Res, Penllyn, Pa
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_68_Vaux Res, Penllyn, Pa
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_69_Penllyn Club, Penllyn, Pa
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_69_Penllyn Club, Penllyn, Pa
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_70_R R Station, Penllyn, Pa_9 Jun 1948
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_70_R R Station, Penllyn, Pa_9 Jun 1948
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_71_Rosenbergers Store and Post Office, Penllyn, Pa
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_71_Rosenbergers Store and Post Office, Penllyn, Pa
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_72_Wissahickon Creek, Penllyn, Pa_Sep 1926
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_72_Wissahickon Creek, Penllyn, Pa_Sep 1926
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_73_View Showing Post Office, Spring House, Pa
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_73_View Showing Post Office, Spring House, Pa
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_74_Road Scene, Spring House, Pa
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_74_Road Scene, Spring House, Pa
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_75_View in Spring House, Pa
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_75_View in Spring House, Pa
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_76_Rieger Residence, Spring House, Pa
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_76_Rieger Residence, Spring House, Pa
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_77_Sunnie View Farms, Dairy Bar, Center Square, Pa
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_77_Sunnie View Farms, Dairy Bar, Center Square, Pa
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_78_Home Ralph Beaver Strassburger, Gwynedd Valley, Pa_House & Wall, State Rd, Normandy Farm
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_78_Home Ralph Beaver Strassburger, Gwynedd Valley, Pa_House & Wall, State Rd, Normandy Farm
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_79_Home Ralph Beaver Strassburger, Gwynedd Valley, Pa_Stable Entrance & Drive, Normandy Farm
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_79_Home Ralph Beaver Strassburger, Gwynedd Valley, Pa_Stable Entrance & Drive, Normandy Farm
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_80_Home Ralph Beaver Strassburger_Mill Dam (Built 1744) Wissahickon Creek, Normandy Farm
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_80_Home Ralph Beaver Strassburger_Mill Dam (Built 1744) Wissahickon Creek, Normandy Farm
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_81_Home Ralph Beaver Strassburger, Gwynedd Valley, Pa_Wissahickon Creek, Normandy Farm
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_81_Home Ralph Beaver Strassburger, Gwynedd Valley, Pa_Wissahickon Creek, Normandy Farm
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_82_Home Ralph Beaver Strassburger, Gwynedd Valley, Pa_Side Peters School House, Normandy Farm
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_82_Home Ralph Beaver Strassburger, Gwynedd Valley, Pa_Side Peters School House, Normandy Farm
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_83_Home Ralph Beaver Strassburger, Gwynedd Valley, Pa_Corner of Garden, Normandy Farm
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_83_Home Ralph Beaver Strassburger, Gwynedd Valley, Pa_Corner of Garden, Normandy Farm
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_84_The Historic Old William Penn Hotel
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_84_The Historic Old William Penn Hotel
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_85_General Store and Post Office, Gwynedd Valley, Pa
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_85_General Store and Post Office, Gwynedd Valley, Pa
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_86_Ambler High School
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_86_Ambler High School
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_87_Mattison Ave School, Ambler, Pa
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_87_Mattison Ave School, Ambler, Pa
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_88_Ambler Joint High School, Ambler, Pa
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_88_Ambler Joint High School, Ambler, Pa
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_89_High School, Ambler, Pa_3 Dec 1906
Post Card Collection (E Simon)_2682_89_High School, Ambler, Pa_3 Dec 1906
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Wissahickon Valley Historical Society is a certified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization