History Trail

151 W. Main StreetBuilt in 1763 for John and Silence Schrack, this elegant stone house was owned by Frederick and Catharine Muhlenberg from 1781 to 1791. During this time, Frederick served as a member of the Continental Congress; Speaker of the Pennsylvania Assembly; first president judge, recorder of deeds, and register of wills for Montgomery County; and first Speaker of the U.S. House. From 1791 to 1803, the house was owned by Francis and Mary (Muhlenberg) Swaine; it later served as an Ursinus dormitory, from 1924 to 1944, known as Highland Hall. Open to the public.

192 W. Main StreetBuilt in 1849 by the Providence Masonic Lodge, this building was sold in 1865 to Warren Lodge. In 1913, it became the headquarters of Keystone Grange #2, organized in 1873 and the second oldest grange in Pennsylvania. Monthly meetings are held on the third Wednesday at 7 p.m. Open to the public

201 W. Main StreetBuilt about 1750 for Jacob Schrack Jr., a blacksmith, this large stone house was purchased by Henry and Anna Maria Muhlenberg in 1776. The Muhlenbergs added a rear wing, now missing, as a summer kitchen complete with a bake oven. Restored to its c. 1776 appearance and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

200 W. Main StreetFounded in 1742, St. Luke’s congregation initially worshipped in a log church located across the street in the present-day cemetery. A stone building replaced it on the same site in 1835. The present church was erected in 1874 under the leadership of Rev. John H. A. Bomberger, founder of Ursinus College and a Reformed Church minister. Open to the public

301 W. Main StreetBuilt in several sections from the mid-1700s to early 1800s, the east end of this building was the home of Andrew Miller, a joiner and bellows maker. In 1827 it was acquired by Dr. Jacob Dewees; his mother Mary Catharine Dewees ran it as a tavern and boarding house until 1855. The building also served as a polling place and stagecoach stop. It is now the headquarters of Historic Trappe, a museum, research library, and changing exhibitions. Open to the public

360 W. Main StreetBuilt in the mid-1700s and used as a tavern known as the Duke of Cumberland, this building was acquired in 1829 by schoolmaster Henry Prizer, remodeled, and used as a school prior to the construction of Washington Hall about 1854 (see 550 W. Main). A detached stone bake house stands behind the main building. Private

378 W. Main StreetBuilt for Henry Kratz in the mid-1800s, this house is flanked by a smaller building to the east that once served as a post office. Private

417 W. Main StreetBuilt about 1830, this house was the residence of George Hagey, a renowned clockmaker, from 1832 to 1844. A native of nearby Lower Salford Township, George Hagey was the second generation of his family to make clocks. Private

418 W. Main StreetOriginally known as the Fountain Inn, this building has served as a tavern since it was built in the late 1700s. A “Big Spring” nearby provided water via underground wooden pipes to a distillery and the inn, which had three fountain pumps in the yard for watering thirsty horses. Traces of the spring remain in the pond located at Rambo Park. By 1823, the inn’s barn, sheds, and stables could accommodate up to 75 wagons and 150 horses. The Mingo Express Horse Company was founded here in 1836 and continues to meet annually. Since 1989, the tavern has served as a restaurant and bar. Open to the public

525 W. Main StreetBuilt in 1922 as a school, this building now serves as the borough hall. Paintings of local historic sites by artist Julie Longacre are displayed in the council room. Behind the building is a tot-lot, picnic pavilion, and multipurpose play area. Open to the public

532 W. Main StreetHome of John K. Beaver, a tailor by trade, who later established the Beaver & Shellenberger mercantile firm, which operated in Skippack and later Trappe. In 1895, the Trappe store at 538 W. Main was taken over by Beaver’s son-in-law, E. G. Brownback. Private

538 W. Main StreetBorn and educated in Trappe, E. G. Brownback married Mary Beaver in 1895. He took over his father-in-law John Beaver’s mercantile business and operated it in this building. Private

550 W. Main StreetBuilt about 1854, this three-story brick building was the second location of the Washington Hall Collegiate Institute (est. 1830 as the Trappe Boarding School).  Henry Prizer taught the original school (see 360 W. Main). Private

702 and 704 W. Main StreetThe three-story stone house was built for Judge Joseph Royer and his family in the early 1800s; the two-story wing served as a general store and post office. Private

717 W. Main StreetBuilt between 1743 and 1745, Augustus Lutheran Church is known as the shrine of American Lutheranism. It was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1967. Henry Melchior Muhlenberg served as its pastor from 1742 until his death in 1787. The wrought-iron weathervanes atop the roof are exact replicas of the originals. During the Revolutionary War, the church was used by the Continental Army as a field hospital. Many members of the Muhlenberg family and other prominent local residents, including Governor Francis Shunk, are buried in the graveyard. Tours are available by appointment. Open to the public.

724 W. Main StreetLocated across from Augustus Lutheran Church, the Lamb Tavern was built about 1800. One of the first proprietors was Cornelius Tyson Sr. In 1836, the building was bought by schoolmaster and future U.S. congressman Jacob Fry Jr. (known as Honest Jacob) and described in the deed as a “certain Tavern stand, Sign of the Golden Lamb.” Private