Upcoming Events
Redware Exhibit Curator's Tour
Wednesdays, January 14, February 11, and March 25
6 to 7 pm
Explore our current exhibition From Hubener to Medinger: Redware Potters of Southeastern Pennsylvania with curator Christopher Malone and learn all about Pennsylvania German redware from the mid-1700s to mid-1900s. Christopher will provide fresh insights into renowned potters such as Georg Hubener, Conrad Mumbauer, and Samuel Troxel. You will also delve 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.
Cost: $20 per person
Redware Demonstrations by River Rat Pottery
Saturday, February 14, 10 am to 4 pm
Step behind the Muhlenberg House to the Historic Trappe Visitor Center for a live redware demonstration with River Rat Pottery. Potter Bob Hughes will throw traditional redware vessels on his treadle wheel, while Sally Hughes demonstrates sgraffito decoration on drape-molded plates featuring a Liberty Bell motif. Begin by purchasing tickets at the Dewees Tavern to view our exhibition From Hubener to Medinger: Redware Potters of Southeastern Pennsylvania, then venture over to the Visitor Center to watch historic pottery techniques brought to life.
Location: Visitor Center behind the Muhlenberg House, 201 W. Main St. Trappe, PA
Cost: FREE
This demonstration is funded in part by a grant from the Early American Industries Association.
Valentine's Day Workshop
Saturday, February 14, 10:30 am to 3:30 pm
Drop in to the Dewees Tavern, 301 W. Main Street, on Saturday, February 14, between 10:30 am and 3:30 pm for a Valentine’s Day workshop. We will be making watercolor cards and paper cut hearts inspired by Pennsylvania German fraktur and Scherenschnitte (scissor cuttings). All materials will be supplied. This workshop is for all ages! For younger kids, come look for hearts around the museum. If you find a certain amount, you will win a prize!
Cost: Museum admission (includes workshop instructions and materials)
A Visit With...Martha Washington
Tuesday, February 17 at 7 pm
George Washington is rightfully known as “the indispensable man.” However, few people really know the “worthy partner” who supported him through the long War of Independence. Lady Washington followed her husband to every winter encampment during the war, and then into the most powerful residence in the new nation, the President’s House in Philadelphia. As the “first” of our founding mothers, Martha Washington’s influence still resounds with us today.
Carol Spacht performs extensively in the Philadelphia region, presenting interactive programs to schools, libraries, and civic organizations. Her portrayal of Martha Washington has taken her from Valley Forge Park to the National Portrait Gallery. Carol also appears regularly as our nation’s premier flag maker at the Betsy Ross House in Philadelphia. She is an experienced maker of handsewn historic bed furnishings and led “The Naked Bed Project” at Historic Trappe for the Dietrich American Foundation. Carol is currently working with Historic Trappe on "The Naked Bed 2.0: Dressing the Revolution" funded by the Coby Foundation.
Location: St. Luke's Fellowship Church, 200 W. Main St. Trappe, PA
Cost: FREE
Fasnacht Cooking Demonstration
Saturday, February 21, 10 am to 3 pm
Join hearth cook Becky Manley in the Speaker’s House kitchen as she prepares traditional fasnachts, the rich Pennsylvania German doughnuts enjoyed on the eve of Lent. Watch as Becky demonstrates historic hearth cooking techniques, learn about the cultural roots of this beloved tradition, and enjoy the wonderful sights and smells of fasnachts being made over the fire. Best of all, visitors will have the chance to sample freshly made fasnachts during the demonstration.
Please note: Fasnacht Day traditionally takes place on Tuesday before Lent. This demonstration is being held on February 21 as a special opportunity to explore and enjoy this Pennsylvania German food tradition.
Location: Speaker’s House, 151 W. Main St. Trappe, PA
Cost: Free
Fanciful Fraktur Birds Workshop with Emily Smucker-Beidler
Saturday, February 28, 1 to 4 pm
Where did fraktur artists find their inspiration for the fanciful birds we see in their art of the 1700s? In this workshop, participants will learn what birds were prevalent here in southeastern Pennsylvania and find connections through fraktur images. Learn where the polka dot, checkerboard, and various striped patterns came from that we now enjoy in fraktur.
Location: Visitor Center behind the Muhlenberg House, 201 W. Main St. Trappe, PA
Redware Sgraffito Plate Workshop led by Denise Wilz
Saturday, March 7, 10 am to 4 pm
Join us for a hands-on redware sgraffito pottery workshop hosted by master artisan Denise Wilz. This redware workshop focuses on the sgraffito technique used by 18th- and 19th-century Pennsylvania German potters to make expressive designs in their folk art pottery. Sgraffito means to “scratch” and workshop participants will draw and then scratch a design on a redware plate. Participants may choose a traditional Pennsylvania German design or create their own.
Participants will sgraffito decorate 7” or 10″ redware plates coated with white clay slip; limit of 2 plates as time permits. The plates, all necessary tools, and books for ideas will be provided (feel free to bring your own ideas, too). After the workshop, the plates will be dried, glazed, and fired (process takes 4-5 weeks). Participants will be notified when their plates are ready and can be picked up at the Dewees Tavern. Contact programs@historictrappe.org if shipping is necessary.
Workshop Fee: $70 Member, $75 Non-Member
Materials Fees: 7” plate is $38 or 10” plate is $50
Advanced tickets required. This workshop is limited to 8 people.
Location: Visitor Center behind the Muhlenberg House, 201 W. Main St. Trappe, PA
Please bring your own lunch to eat during the break.
This workshop is funded in part by a grant from the Early American Industries Association.
Pennsylvania German Easter Egg Decorating Workshop
Saturday, March 21
Times: 10 to 11:30 am, 12 to 1:30 pm, and 2 to 3:30 pm
Celebrate the arrival of spring with a hands-on Easter tradition! Discover the rich history behind Pennsylvania German scratch-decorated eggs, then learn how these beautiful eggs were traditionally dyed—using onion skins to create warm, rustic tones. After exploring historic examples for inspiration, you’ll decorate your own egg using scratch techniques. Each participant will receive two pre-dyed eggs to create a one-of-a-kind keepsake to take home.
All tools are provided.
Tickets include admission to the the Center for Pennsylvania German Studies in the Dewees Tavern to see our special display of Easter eggs from the Pennsylvania Folklife Collection, part of the Philip and Muriel Berman Museum of Art at Ursinus College.
Location: Visitor Center behind the Muhlenberg House, 201 W. Main St. Trappe, PA
Cost: $20 Members, $25 Non-Members. Includes 2 eggs. Boxes for eggs may be purchased on-site.
George Washington and Frederick the Great. Parallel Lives
Lecture by Jürgen Overhoff
Tuesday, March 24, at 7 pm
In his presentation, Jürgen Overhoff traces the parallel lives of two of the most important and influential statesmen of the eighteenth century. He considers the significance of each man not only in the context of his own country but in the larger geopolitical space of Atlantic history. It will then become clear how the first American president and the eminent Prussian king embody the competition between liberal democracy and authoritarianism. A study of their political rivalry is a timely comparison.
Location: St. Luke's Fellowship Church, 200 W. Main St. Trappe, PA
Cost: FREE
Early American Craft Fair
Saturday, March 28, 10 am to 3 pm
Join us for an exclusive Early American Craft Fair showcasing the finest traditional artisans.
Talk to the artists about their work and historical inspirations while you shop for handcrafted items and treasures including pottery, woodcarvings, textiles, furniture, painted boxes, and fraktur. Historic Trappe proudly supports traditional artisans throughout the year in its museum store and exhibits fine Americana and folk art in its museums.
Show admission includes free guided tours of Historic Trappe's Center for Pennsylvania German Studies and the Muhlenberg House, located just across the street from the show.
Location: St. Luke’s Fellowship Church, 200 W. Main Street, Trappe, PA 19426
Cost: $10 per person
Speaker’s House Dedication Weekend
April 11 & 12, 12 to 4 pm
Celebrate a historic moment with us! Join Historic Trappe for a special open house marking the dedication of the Speaker’s House after an extraordinary 25 years of restoration. Explore this newly restored landmark, learn about Speaker Frederick Muhlenberg and his family, and be part of this long-awaited milestone in our community's history.
Location: The Speaker's House, 151 W. Main St. Trappe, PA
Parking is available across the street in designated areas of the Trappe Shopping Center and at St. Luke's Fellowship Church, 200 W. Main Street, Trappe, PA 19426.
Cost: Free
Window to Revolution Exhibit Opening
Saturday, April 18, 10 am to 4 pm
Join us for the grand opening of our special exhibition Window to Revolution: Pennsylvania Germans and the War for Independence. Focusing on the Revolution's impact on the Greater Philadelphia region, this landmark exhibition features artifacts such as flintlock pistols, Continental currency, Henry Muhlenberg’s journals, a German translation of the Declaration of Independence, fraktur made by former Hessian soldiers, and much more.
Location: Center for Pennsylvania German Studies at the Dewees Tavern, 301 W. Main Street, Trappe, PA
Book Launch Celebration
Saturday, April 18, 4 to 6 pm
Join us for a reception celebrating the launch of When the Declaration of Independence Was News by Dr. Emily Sneff. Enjoy hors d’oeuvres, followed by a book signing.
Publishing for the 250th anniversary of the United States, When the Declaration of Independence Was News focuses on the nation’s founding document at the moment of its creation in 1776, before anyone knew what the legacy of the Declaration would be or if the United States would win the war against Great Britain. It explores how the Declaration was communicated to people in the new nation and around the Atlantic world and reveals the stories of the many people involved in the process of declaring independence, from printers to soldiers to diplomats to translators.
Historic Trappe’s new exhibition, Window to Revolution: Pennsylvania Germans and the War for Independence, opens the same day. Proceeds from book purchases will support Historic Trappe.
Location: Center for Pennsylvania German Studies at the Dewees Tavern, 301 W. Main Street, Trappe, PA
Historic Theorem Painting Workshop with Peggy Allen
Saturday, May 2, 12:30 to 4 pm
This beginner's class presents a unique opportunity to learn early American theorem painting, a historical art form created with stencils and admired for its aesthetic appeal.
Led by Peggy Allen, an experienced theorem instructor, attendees will create an 8.5 x 11 portrait of a traditional bowl of fruit using multiple stencils and oil paints applied with brushes onto a cotton velveteen surface.
This class will feature a display of theorem paintings from various artists, including David Ellinger of Trappe, along with a discussion of theorem painting's historical context.
This workshop is designed for all skill levels.
Cost: $70 Member, $75 Non-Member. Advanced tickets required. This workshop is limited to 10 people.
Location: Visitor Center behind the Muhlenberg House, 201 W. Main St. Trappe, PA
Fraktur Bookplate Workshop with Emily Smucker-Beidler
Saturday, May 16, 1 to 4 pm
Learn how to create a bookplate in the fraktur style of the late 1700s. Perfect to place inside a book cover and give as a gift or keep as your own. Choose from one of four historical patterns and learn from Emily how to borrow ideas to integrate into your one-of-kind fraktur. No experience necessary to create.
All supplies are included. Watercolor sets in the traditional fraktur colors will be available to use for this workshop or bring your own watercolors, colored pencils, or other medium of choice to add color to your finished ink fraktur. (Fraktur watercolor sets will also be available for purchase for $20 at the end of the workshop.)
Cost: $70 Member, $75 Non-Member. Advanced registration required. This workshop is limited to 12 people.
Location: Visitor Center behind the Muhlenberg House, 201 W. Main St. Trappe, PA
Kids Dig History
Saturdays, June 27, July 4, 11, 18, and 25
Drop in between 10 am and 1 pm
Kids Dig History is back this summer starting on June 27! Get your hands dirty at the archaeology dig and in the kitchen garden. Screen dirt to look for artifacts such as redware pottery and animal bones, then help wash and dry brush artifacts in the lab. Try your hand at planting, weeding, or harvesting vegetables. Depending on the day, additional pop-up living history programs will be happening simultaneously.
Location: The Speaker’s House, 151 W. Main Street, Trappe, PA
Cost: Free
Independence Day Celebration at Historic Trappe
Saturday, July 4, 10 am to 4 pm
Sunday, July 5, 12 to 4 pm
Celebrate America's 250th birthday in Historic Trappe with a special Independence Day weekend, fun and free for the whole family! On Saturday, July 4, gather at the Speaker's House at 10 am for a special edition of Kids Dig History. At 10:15, there will be a lively fife and drum procession up the street from the Speaker's House to the Muhlenberg House. Children participating in the Kids Dig History program will be given thirteen-star flags to wave in the procession. At 10:30, there will be a stirring reading of the Declaration of Independence from the balcony of the Muhlenberg House. Both houses will be open for tours afterwards, together with the Dewees Tavern. Kids' activities will continue at the Speaker's House all afternoon.
On Sunday, July 5, at noon there will be a second reading of the Declaration of Independence from the balcony of the Muhlenberg House. Both houses will be open for tours afterwards, together with the Dewees Tavern. Kids' activities will also be offered at the Speaker's House from 12 to 4 pm.
Bring the whole family and be part of this unforgettable patriotic experience to celebrate America's 250th birthday! Parking is available at St. Luke's Fellowship Church, 200 W. Main Street.
Cost: Free
Party for Preservation Gala
Sunday, October 25, 5 to 9 pm
RiverCrest Golf Club & Preserve, Phoenixville, PA
This special evening 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 Historic Trappe’s mission of preservation and education.
Past Events
Redware Ornaments Workshop with Emily Smucker-Beidler
Saturday, January 31, 1 to 4 pm
Explore the fascinating history of Pennsylvania German redware pottery, from how the clay was dug and processed, to the role and life of the potter within local culture. Students will start with a prepared slab of red clay with white slip and cut out at least 5 ornament shapes. Then, using the sgraffito method, we’ll scratch through the colored slip for our fraktur designs. Patterns will be provided, based on historic Pennsylvania German redware. Learn how to take traditional images and make them your own through clay.
This workshop is funded in part by a grant from the Early American Industries Association.
Christmas Baking Workshop
Saturday, December 20, 10 am to 4 pm
Savor the sights, sounds, and smells of a colonial kitchen at Christmas! Join hearth cook Becky Manley to make traditional Pennsylvania German gingerbread, springerle, and other various "cakes" (cookies) using historic recipes and period-style tools. Learn about the origins of these festive treats, then sample your baked creations.
There will be a break for lunch. Please bring your own.
This program is held at the Speaker’s House, 151 W. Main St. Trappe, PA 19426.
Cost: $75 Non-Member. $70 Member. Advanced tickets required. This workshop is limited to 8 people.
A Colonial Christmas at the Hiester House (near Sumneytown, PA)
Saturday, December 13, 10 am, 12 pm, and 3:30 pm
Sunday, December 14, 12 pm and 2 pm
This holiday season, step inside the Hiester House—built in 1757—and experience the warmth and charm of Christmas past. The home retains nearly all of its original features, including five fireplaces and beautifully crafted wrought-iron hardware. From cellar to attic, each room is adorned with festive decorations that capture the spirit and traditions of a colonial Christmas. Discover the timeless beauty of this cherished landmark and enjoy a memorable journey through history as you get in the holiday spirit.
Cost: $50 per person (all proceeds to benefit Historic Trappe's educational programs)
Admission is by timed ticket only. No walk-ins!
Address and parking instructions will be emailed to ticket holders prior to the event.
*The Hiester House has limited accessibility. For additional information or assistance, please contact us directly at 610-489-7560 or email programs@historictrappe.org.
Christmas Tea at Sumneytown Hotel and Tour of the Hiester House
Saturday, December 13, 1 to 3 pm
Celebrate the magic of the season with a festive afternoon tea at the historic Sumneytown Hotel, beautifully decorated for Christmas! Enjoy fine teas, savory sandwiches, and sweet treats in a cozy holiday setting. Then, step back in time with an exclusive tour of the nearby Hiester House—built in 1757 and decorated in the spirit of Christmas past. Explore the home from cellar to attic — the perfect way to celebrate the season with history, charm, and holiday cheer!
Sumneytown Hotel is located at 3188 Main Street, Green Lane, PA 18054. Address and parking instructions for the Hiester House tour will be emailed to ticket holders prior to the event.
Cost: $100/person includes tea and tour (all proceeds to benefit Historic Trappe's educational programs)
*The Hiester House has limited accessibility. For additional information or assistance, please contact us directly at 610-489-7560 or email programs@historictrappe.org.
SOLD OUT
A Colonial Christmas Tour and Cocktail Party at the Hiester House
Sunday, December 14, 4:30 to 7:30 pm
Kick off the holiday season with an exclusive tour and festive cocktail party at the historic Hiester House! Built in 1757, this charming colonial home still boasts its original fireplaces, beautifully crafted wrought-iron hardware, and centuries of holiday spirit. From cellar to attic, every room shines with decorations inspired by the traditions of Christmas past. After exploring the house, raise a glass at our holiday reception featuring seasonal cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and plenty of good cheer. Celebrate the season in true colonial style—and make history part of your holiday fun!
Cost: $100/person, includes a full tour plus an exclusive cocktail party with drinks and appetizers (all proceeds to benefit Historic Trappe's educational programs)
Admission is by advanced ticket purchase only. No walk-ins!
Address and parking instructions will be emailed to ticket holders prior to the event.
*The Hiester House has limited accessibility. For additional information or assistance, please contact us directly at 610-489-7560 or email programs@historictrappe.org.
Candlelight Tours
Saturday, December 6, 3 to 9pm
Sunday, December 7, 12 to 4pm
Admission includes a timed ticket for the Candlelight Tour of the Muhlenberg House plus entrance to the Dewees Tavern and Speaker's House.
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, where 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. Don't miss the Speaker's House, where you can warm yourself by the fire and see what our hearth cook is preparing in the newly-restored kitchen wing. You will also get a sneak peek at the ongoing restoration work in the main house. At the Dewees Tavern, the galleries are decorated for Christmas with German Erzgebirge woodcarvings, a Moravian Christmas pyramid, Noah's arks, and much more.
Parking is at St. Luke's Church, 200 W. Main Street.
Online ticket sales close on Friday, December 5, at 4 pm. Walk-ins are welcome on the days of the Candlelight Tours but there may be a wait depending on advance ticket sales. You may still tour the Dewees Tavern and Speaker's House while waiting for the Candlelight Tour.
Trappe Tree Lighting
Wednesday, December 3, 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!
We will also be collecting donations for the Daily Bread Community Food Pantry.
Held at the Speaker's House, 151 W. Main Street, Trappe, PA 19426.
FREE