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
Volunteer Opportunities for March
Volunteer Sessions will be on Thursdays, 11 AM until 1 PM at the 1895 Schoolhouse.
Volunteers in the past have worked in the library, organized the display
cases, and refolded fabrics. There is always dusting to be done. Come one
and all to help at the 1895 School!
Ambler Historic Walking Tours Are Back!
Ambler Storytellers will be leading walks through Ambler Borough for the following Saturdays: April 15th, May 6th, and May 20th.
Click on the Committees page for more information and to sign up!
Check out this op-ed from Hidden City Philadelphia about Ambler Storytellers’ historic preservation efforts!
Op-Ed: Saving the Town that Asbestos Built
Our Spring 2023 Events Calendar is up!
Read about East House at Montgomery County Community College in this month’s Stroll Blue Bell
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
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