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.
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 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 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.
Featured
Welcome to a new Society Year! In this issue of The Valley Crier you will find news about WVHS – and about history in the news:
Read Part 3 of “New Uses for an Old Building: Whitpain’s 1895 School” in September’s Stroll Blue Bell
Sunday, October 8th from 1:00 – 3:00
Open House at the Franklinville School
Please click here to see our new video about the history of the Franklinville School, prepared by the Historical Society of Montgomery County to encourage donations to the renovations there. WVHS appreciates the assistance of the HSMC
Monday, October 9th at 7:00 at the 1895 Schoolhouse
Lisa Minardi, Pennsylvania German specialist will present the Muhlenberg Family
Stay tuned for more details!
Check out this op-ed from Hidden City Philadelphia about Ambler Storytellers’ historic preservation efforts!
Op-Ed: Saving the Town that Asbestos Built
We invite you to sign up The Valley Crier newsletter to stay informed of upcoming events, educational programs and community activities. Please email us at info@wvalleyhs.org if you prefer to have our newsletter mailed to you. Be sure to include your name and address, thank you.
Wissahickon Valley Historical Society is a certified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization