Upcoming Events
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
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
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.
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
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
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.
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.
Annual Meeting
Sunday, November 17, 2 to 4 pm
Celebrate our dedicated volunteers at a reception followed by the annual meeting. Held at Augustus Lutheran Church, 717 W. Main Street, Trappe, PA 19426.
FREE
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
Sunday, December 8
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
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
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
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