Where the story of southeastern Pennsylvania comes alive
Across three remarkable historic sites - the Dewees Tavern, the Muhlenberg House, and the Speaker's House - visitors step into the lives of the individuals who shaped a region and a nation. From the Revolutionary War-era home of Lutheran patriarch Henry Muhlenberg and his son, General Peter Muhlenberg, to the residence of Frederick Muhlenberg, the first Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, these sites preserve the human stories behind America's founding.
At the Dewees Tavern, the Center for Pennsylvania German Studies celebrates one of America's most distinctive cultural traditions. Its nationally recognized collection features extraordinary furniture, fraktur, ceramics, ironwork, paintings, needlework, and other decorative arts - objects that reveal the creativity, faith, and everyday lives of the Pennsylvania German community.
Together, these sites offer more than a visit to the past. They offer a chance to connect - with the people, ideas, and craftsmanship that helped shape early America.
Historic Trappe is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to preserving these historic sites and sharing their stories for generations to come.
Events at Historic Trappe
Collection of Robert and Katharine Booth
From Hubener to Medinger:
Redware Potters of Southeastern Pennsylvania
Focusing on Pennsylvania German redware from the mid-1700s to mid-1900s, this exhibit will provide fresh insights into renowned potters such as Georg Hubener, Conrad Mumbauer, and Samuel Troxel. It also delves into the work of twentieth-century potters such as Jacob Medinger, considered the last of the traditional Pennsylvania German potters, and Mildred Weekes Keyser, a pioneering revivalist potter.
From Hubener to Medinger: Redware Potters of Southeastern Pennsylvania opens November 8, 2025, and continues through March 29, 2026.
Lead support for this exhibition is provided by Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates with additional support by the American Folk Art Society, Steve and Susan Babinsky, Robert and Katharine Booth, Pook & Pook, Limerick Township Historical Society, and Holly Adams Cairns.
Make a lasting impact on Historic Trappe
Become a donor to Historic Trappe and join the momentum as we prepare for a new phase in our organization's history. Please consider making a generous donation to ensure our restoration progress.
Thank you for your support!
One of southeastern Pennsylvania's leading heritage tourism destinations
Rooted in history and alive with purpose, Historic Trappe offers an authentic and engaging window into Pennsylvania's past. As a national leader in the study of Pennsylvania German culture, we bring history to life through immersive exhibitions, education, and preservation efforts, all while honoring the legacy of the Muhlenberg family, fostering community partnerships, and helping shape a vibrant, sustainable destination that attracts and inspires visitors from near and far.
