Upcoming Events
Farm Stand
Saturdays, June through October, 9 am to 12 pm
Try our heirloom vegetables, fresh picked and locally grown. You won’t find these in your average supermarket. We also have herbs, cut flowers, and an assortment of items from our gift shop. Everything is organic and pesticide free. Held at the Speaker's House, 151 W. Main Street.
Fancy Fraktur: Brocade Paper in Pennsylvania German Folk Art
Lecture by Trevor Brandt
Tuesday, October 22, 7 to 8 pm
Fraktur, or the iconic German American “fractured” manuscript and print folk art genre, has historically been lauded as an emblematic regional style in North America. This talk explores the global implications of fraktur made by a specific artist, Friedrich Krebs. A former Hessian soldier and the most prolific of all known fraktur artists, Krebs embellished many of his illuminated certificates with embossed and gilt papers cut from elaborate brocade sheets imported from Germany. The effect was an intricate, decoupage-like fraktur that linked the German American home with both international trade and global styles, challenging traditional interpretations of fraktur as a typically “regional” American tradition.
Held at St. Luke's, 200 W. Main Street, Trappe, PA 19426.
FREE
Tombstone Tales Tours
October 26, 1 pm and 3 pm
October 27, 1 pm and 3 pm
Take a guided tour through the St. Luke's Cemetery and learn about some of the historical figures who are resting there. Highlights include the grave of Ludwig Ewald, one of Trappe's earliest residents; Robert Patterson, who funded the construction of Bomberger Hall at Ursinus College; and the grandparents of the Sundance Kid.
Tours will be given at 1 pm and 3 pm on both days, and are limited to 10 people per tour. Cost is $12 for non-members and $10 for members; ticketholders will also be able to purchase discounted admission to the Dewees Tavern.
Parking for Tombstone Tours ticket holders will be at Ranieri Flooring, 325 W. Main Street. After parking, please come to the Dewees Tavern to check-in for your tour.
Volunteer Celebration and Annual Meeting
Tuesday, November 19, 5 to 7 pm
Celebrate our dedicated volunteers at a reception followed by the annual meeting. Held at St. Luke's Church, 200 W Main St, Trappe, PA 19426.
FREE
Charles C. Hofmann’s Paintings Along the Schuylkill River: Landscapes of Peace, Prosperity, and Despair
Lecture by Christopher Malone
Tuesday, November 19, 7 to 8 pm
Historic Trappe's curator Christopher Malone will step between the brush strokes to reveal the troubled but vibrant world of German immigrant, almshouse inmate, and itinerant painter Charles C. Hofmann. The changing landscapes in Hofmann’s almshouse paintings parallel his transient life along the Schuylkill River. From town to town, new architectural styles and industries appeared, showcasing the progress of American life after the Civil War. Hofmann’s paintings were filled with genteel people, farmers, and obedient workers, but his work often hid the sick and poverty stricken individuals who inhabited the almshouses in Schuylkill, Berks, and Montgomery counties. Hofmann often left the despair and poor conditions within these establishments to the viewer’s imagination. His contributions to American folk art are important and his body of work documents many significant Pennsylvania sites and landscapes that no longer exist.
Held at St. Luke's, 200 W. Main Street, Trappe, PA 19426.
FREE
Pennsylvania German Christmas
November 30, 2024 to January 5, 2025
- Tree Lighting on December 4
- Candlelight Tours on December 7 & 8
- Holiday Tours and shopping every weekend or by appointment
Trappe Tree Lighting
Wednesday, December 4, 6:30 to 7:30 pm
Join us for a festive, family friendly evening including a community sing-a-long, visit from Santa, cookies and hot cocoa, and the annual Trappe Tree Lighting!
Held at the Speaker's House, 151 W. Main Street, Trappe, PA 19426.
FREE
Candlelight Tours at the Muhlenberg House
Saturday, December 7, 3 to 9pm
Sunday, December 8, 12 to 4pm
Savor the sights, sounds, and smells of a Pennsylvania German Christmas as you travel back in time at the Muhlenberg House for a candlelight tour.
Interpreters in authentic period clothing will share stories from the Muhlenberg family in each room. Chat with Pastor Muhlenberg in his office and then step into the dining room, where a festive meal awaits.
Parking is across the street at St. Luke's UCC, 200 W. Main Street.
Past Events
Tavern Night
Thursday, September 26, 5 to 8 pm
Join us for a lively evening at the Dewees Tavern with a German-themed buffet dinner, dessert, wine, hard cider, and craft beer.
Parking for this event is at Ranieri Flooring, 325 W. Main Street, just a short walk from the Dewees Tavern.
Lead support for Tavern Night by Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates
How German Federalism Inspired the US Constitution
Lecture by Jürgen Overhoff
Tuesday, September 24, 7 to 8 pm
The early modern German Empire played an important role as a frame of reference in American constitutional discussions, starting in the late 1600s with the writings of William Penn and then, above all and with increasing vigor and significance, in the second half of the 1700s when Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson toured Germany. Germany at that time was a state composed of states, a federal system that served as an intriguing model for all those American politicians who aimed at a similar kind of Confederation in North America. When James Madison tried to point out the values of federalism during the debates of the Constitutional Convention in 1787 he explicitly highlighted the "Germanic confederacy" tracing its analogy to the United States. Dr. Jürgen Overhoff, professor of history at the University of Münster, will explore a fascinating transatlantic exchange of political ideas covering the time period from 1690 to 1790.
Held at St. Luke's, 200 W. Main Street, Trappe, PA 19426.
FREE
Pennsylvania Germans and Independence in 1776, with a Preview of 2026
Lecture by Emily Sneff
Tuesday, September 17, 7 to 8 pm
Within days of July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was translated into German in Philadelphia. Dr. Emily Sneff, consulting curator at Historic Trappe, will explore how the news of independence spread in 1776, how the text was translated, and how people reacted to the Declaration. She will also share an exciting preview of Historic Trappe’s special exhibition planned for 2026-27 about Pennsylvania Germans’ experiences during the American Revolution.
Held at St. Luke's, 200 W. Main Street, Trappe, PA 19426.
FREE
Kids Dig History
Saturdays, June 8 through July 20, 10 am to 2 pm
Fun for kids of all ages, get your hands dirty at the archaeology field school. Screen dirt to look for artifacts such as redware pottery and animal bone. Help wash and dry brush artifacts in the lab to get them ready for further study by the archeologists. Kids Dig History is free and held at The Speaker’s House, 151 W. Main Street, Trappe, PA 19426.
Dinner on Main
Sunday, July 14, 5 to 8 pm
Celebrate Historic Trappe at a unique community dinner held in the middle of Main Street! Enjoy a variety of delicious foods provided by local restaurants.
SOLD OUT
Garden Fair & Living History Day
Saturday, June 1, 10 am to 4 pm
Join us for the grand opening of our farm stand for the 2024 season, featuring heirloom vegetables, herbs, and flowers grown in our Pennsylvania German kitchen garden. Learn about historic raised bed gardening practices and tour the Speaker's House to see the latest restoration progress. Enjoy a variety of living history demonstrations by local artisans, who will also be selling their wares including redware pottery, fraktur, and woven tape. Held at The Speaker's House, 151 W. Main Street. Stay tuned for more details!
FREE
Exclusive Sale of Redware by Susan Campbell
Saturday, May 18, 11 am to 3 pm
Sunday, May 19, 12 to 4 pm
Saturday, May 25, 11 am to 3 pm
Sunday, May 26, 12 to 4 pm
Recently, a collection of redware made by the late renowned potter Susan Campbell has resurfaced after almost 25 years.
Working out of her studio in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, known as "Heart of Gold," Campbell made intricate combware, slipware, and sgraffito pieces along with unique figures and vessels. Her work was traditional, in the style of the Pennsylvania Germans.
Historic Trappe is delighted to host an exclusive sale of almost 200 items, allowing more people to enjoy her beautiful work.
The collection will be available for a limited time at the Muhlenberg House gift shop, 201 W. Main Street, Trappe, PA 19426.
Parking is across the street at St. Luke's UCC, 200 W. Main Street.
Plant Sale
Saturday, May 25, 8 am to 2 pm
Attention all gardeners—mark your calendar for our annual Plant Sale.
We have 25 types of plants for you to choose from including traditional and heirloom herbs, perennials, natives, and flowering plants. Most will come in 4-to-6-inch pots, but we also have larger and more established plants available. We're selling the extras to make room for new ones, so grab them while you can.
You'll find Alpine strawberries, chives, feverfew, yarrow, mints, and other herbs at our sale, just to name a few. Plants include black-eyed Susan, toad lilies, hosta, Solomon's seal, hellebores, liatris, and soapwort. We will also have some extra gooseberry plants for sale. We grow all of our plants without pesticides.
Tours of the Speaker’s House will also be available during the plant sale.
Held at the Speaker’s House, 151 W. Main Street, Trappe, PA 19426.
Lisa Minardi, "Native Son: The Life and Art of David Ellinger"
Tuesday, May 21, 7 to 8 pm
You won't want to miss this talk! Learn about the life and art of David Ellinger, who grew up in Trappe and became a self-taught folk artist who helped popularize Pennsylvania German folk art in the mid-20th century. Ellinger was also an antiques dealer — selling to collectors such as Dr. Albert C. Barnes of the Barnes Foundation— and regularly performed in drag at the nearby Spring City Hotel. This talk will shed new light on Ellinger, whose work is featured in our current special exhibition at the Dewees Tavern.
Held at St. Luke's UCC, 200 W. Main Street, Trappe, PA 19426.
FREE
Tours of the Daniel Hiester House near Sumneytown
Saturday, May 4, by timed ticket only. No walk-ins!
Enjoy an exclusive guided tour of the Daniel Hiester House, built in 1757 in Upper Salford Township, Montgomery County. Retaining nearly all of its original details, including five fireplaces, built-in cupboards and closets, elaborate wrought iron hardware, and much more, the Hiester House is one of the finest and most intact examples of Pennsylvania German architecture. All proceeds from this tour will benefit Historic Trappe.
The 10 am, noon, and 2 pm tours are $50/person. The 4:30 pm tour is $75/person and includes drinks and appetizers.
Address and parking instructions will be emailed to ticket holders prior to the event.
Don Fennimore, "As Good A Clock As Was Ever Made: The Clocks of David Rittenhouse"
Tuesday, April 23, 7 to 8 pm
Join Don Fennimore, curator emeritus at Winterthur Museum, for a presentation on David Rittenhouse’s life, scientific accomplishments and legacy, with an emphasis on the clocks he made. Get your copy of Don's latest book, David Rittenhouse: Philosopher-Mechanick of Colonial Philadelphia and His Famous Clocks. Plus, enjoy a very special pop-up display of several Rittenhouse clock movements and surveying instruments! This lecture is co-sponsored by the Historical Society of Montgomery County.
Held at St. Luke's UCC, 200 W. Main Street, Trappe, PA 19426.
FREE
Party for Preservation Gala
Sunday, April 14, 5 to 9 pm
This special evening at RiverCrest Golf Club & Preserve in Phoenixville begins with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, followed by a seated dinner and presentation of the Speaker’s Choice award. Bid on unique experiences and works of art by local craftspeople in the silent auction.
All proceeds from this event will directly support restoration projects at Historic Trappe’s four historic sites: the Speaker’s House (home of Frederick Muhlenberg), Muhlenberg House, Dewees Tavern, and the Muhlenberg Parsonage.
Meet Ann King, Tufts & Tassels
Saturday, April 6, 10 am to 4 pm
Experience hands-on-history with Ann King and help to tuft our Naked Bed mattress. Try your hand at making a simple tassel, too! Learn all about the 18th century upholstery trade and try your hand at tufting a mattress with Carol Spacht, an experienced maker of 18th century handsewn furnishings.
This workshop is part of the Naked Bed Project, an initiative to transform a "naked bed" into a fully dressed bed in the Muhlenberg House museum. The bed is being interpreted to the year 1787, when Peter and Hannah Muhlenberg purchased the house from Peter's elderly parents and began a series of updates. The end result will be an authentic bed that would have been highly fashionable in 1787 and appropriate for an affluent household located in the Philadelphia area.
The Naked Bed Project is supported by the Dietrich American Foundation. Advance registration is not required.
Held at the Muhlenberg House, 201 W. Main Street, Trappe, PA 19426
FREE WITH MUSEUM ADMISSION
Lisa Minardi, "A Labor of Love: Restoring the Daniel Hiester House"
Tuesday, March 12, 7 to 8 pm
Hear from our executive director about her six-year journey to restore the Daniel Hiester House, built in 1757 in Upper Salford Township, Montgomery County. Retaining nearly all of its original details, including five fireplaces, built-in cupboards and closets, elaborate wrought iron hardware, and much more, the Hiester House is one of the finest and most intact examples of Pennsylvania German architecture. You’ll also have the exclusive opportunity to be among the first to sign up for a guided tour of the Hiester House on May 4—spots are limited and will sell out fast! All proceeds benefit Historic Trappe's restoration projects.
Held at St. Luke's UCC, 200 W. Main Street, Trappe, PA 19426.
FREE
Pennsylvania German Egg Decorating Workshop
Saturday, March 2, 10 am to 4 pm
We are offering a hands-on workshop to make your own scratch-decorated Easter eggs. Explore the history of this tradition and then decorate your own egg using historic examples as inspiration. We will supply pre-dyed eggs and all necessary tools.
Held at Dewees Tavern, 301 W. Main Street, Trappe, PA 19426
$20.00 FOR MEMBERS, $25.00 FOR NON MEMBERS INCLUDES TWO EGGS
Jeff Finegan, "Colonel Washington and Me: The Lives of George Washington and William Lee"
Tuesday, February 20, 7 to 8 pm
In 1768, George Washington purchased a young man who had been born into slavery. Washington was a slave owner since age eleven. What develops is one of the more extraordinary relationships in American history. While most biographies on the first president mention the bond between George Washington and William Lee, Colonel Washington and Me is the first book dedicated solely to this story. Author Jeff Finegan will take us on a journey through history as both men search for freedom on their incredible journey together. Read more about Jeff and his other books here: www.iknewgeorgewashington.com
Held at St. Luke's UCC, 200 W. Main Street, Trappe, PA 19426.
FREE