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.
WVHS is thrilled to announce that it has received a $20,000 grant from PA’s Keystone Communities Program for repairs at our Franklinville School! Built in 1858, it appears on the National Register of Historic Places. The grant will pay for only about a third of the total cost of repairs (which include fixing unsafe porches, a hazardous electrical system, and water under the building), so the WVHS is seeking donations to complete the renovations. The Franklinville School will be used for events, school visits, and educational opportunities for high school and college students. If you are considering a donation, please donate NOW, so that we can complete the repairs. Click on “Donate” below, or send a check to:
Wissahickon Valley Historical Society, P.O. Box 96, Ambler, PA 19002
Thank you for your support of this important project!
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.
Announcements and Coming Events
Click to view our latest newsletter!
**Please note, Market Day is not planned for 2021**
The Wissahickon Valley Historical Society’s
Pandemic 2020 Initiative
To help capture the extraordinary experiences of our community
during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Wissahickon Valley Historical Society
is collecting stories and artifacts related to the pandemic of 2020. Images,
videos, diaries, poems, stories will all be accepted as part of the project.
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For attachments and files, please email them directly to
info@ wvalleyhs.org
or mail them to WVHS, P.O. Box 96, Ambler, Pa 19002
215-646-6541
In this issue:
The WVHS COVID-19 Community History Project, Finding History in 1940s Church Newsletters, Do You Know Anything About Prohibition in Our Area?, Congratulations to
Wissahickon School District!!!
Read about WVHS board member Joe Langella’s research on his Lower Gwynedd home.
Unless otherwise noted, WVHS programs take place at the 1895 Public School, 799 W. Skippack Pike, Blue Bell, PA 19422
Featured
Click on the picture or the title to learn more about Yen Ho’s website on Wissahickon Valley history!
Learn From the Past, Shape the Future
Pennsylvania’s Wissahickon Valley Region: A Story Worth Telling
We invite you to sign up for our 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