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.
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The Wissahickon Valley Historical Society is hosting an Open House at the one-room Franklinville School on Sunday, November 3, 1-3 PM, and the public is cordially invited. Questions should be emailed to info@wvalleyhs.org.
Furnished as a 19th-century classroom, the Franklinville School is located at 1701 Morris Road, near Normandy Farm Conference Center. Enter through the fence on the grass and park to the right.
Open House at the 1895 School, Sunday, October 20, 1-3 PM – Special exhibits on “The 1960s,” including NASA, POWs, Kennedy newspapers, and more.
Monthly Speaker Series: Monday, November 11, 7:00 PM – Michael Martorelli, Evolution of the Coast Artillery from the Revolutionary War time period to just after World War II
Happy October! In this issue of The Valley Crier you will find news about WVHS – and about history in the news:
Read about the 200 year old Gwynedd Hall in the October issue of Stroll Blue Bell
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.
Wissahickon Valley Historical Society’s Ambler History Walking Tours
Ambler Storytellers’ –The rich history of Ambler and especially its Butler Avenue properties.
On Saturdays at 3 PM (until approximately 4:30) on the following dates:
- September 21
- October 12
- October 19
- November 2
- November 16
- December 7
Reservations required/Groups of up to 12 guests.
No fees, however a $10 donation to the non-profit Wissahickon Valley Historical Society is suggested.
Your contribution to WVHS can be made at the tour or in advance: https://www.wvalleyhs.org/donate/
Register here for tours: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ambler-downtown-walking-tour-tickets-974142174467
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