Wissahickon Valley Historical Society

05/22/2026

“That Nation which respects and honors its dead, shall ever be respected and honored itself.”
– Brevet Lieut.-Col. Edmund B. Whitman, 1868

THE HISTORY OF MEMORIAL DAY

Originally called Decoration Day, it was formalized by a "Memorial Day Order" issued by Grand Army of the Republic Commander-in-Chief John A. Logan in 1868. The modern proclamation calls on Americans "to observe Memorial Day by praying, according to their individual religious faith, for permanent peace."

One early memorial day account occurred in Boalsburg, PA, where a trio of women decorated the graves of fallen soldiers in October 1864.

05/05/2026

May Speaker Series with Dr. Philip Mead was a great success--and a packed house! Thanks to Dr. Mead for his fascinating presentation on the life and times of Pvt. Joseph Plumb Martin, a Revolutionary War soldier who kept a diary of his seven-year experience in the Continental Army under General George Washington. Dr. Mead has his Phd in History from Harvard and was the first curator of The Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia. Thanks too, to Doug Sherlock, our Reenactor who graciously greeted everyone who attended.

04/30/2026

WVHS Speaker Series
Monday May 4 at 7PM
Historian Dr. Philip Mead: In Search of Private Yankee Doodle

04/30/2026

**************MARK YOUR CALENDAR*************

WVHS SPEAKER SERIES FOR MAY 2026: Monday, May 4 at 7PM at our HQ/Museum at 799 Skippack Pike in Blue Bell.

WVHS is excited to welcome our speaker for May, Dr. Philip Mead, former historian and curator at The Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia! As we celebrate the 250th Anniversary if the birth of our nation, Dr. Mead's presentation is titled:
In Search of Private Yankee Doodle--Discovering the Material World of a Revolutionary War Soldier.

All are welcome and light refreshments will be served.

04/29/2026

LOCAL QUESTERS GROUP SUPPORTS WVHS

WVHS President Carol Kalos (second from right) accepts a check from representatives of local Questers groups in support of the preservation and framing of an 1896 US flag in our artifacts collection. Once framed, the flag, which is as old as our Whitpain Public School HQ and Museum, will hang in our preserved second floor 19th century classroom.

What are the Questers might you ask?

The Questers is an international nonprofit organization, HQ'd in Philadelphia and with thousands of chapters dedicated to the study, conservation and preservation of historical objects for the benefit of today and tomorrow. Members seek to identify preservation and restoration of existing landmarks as well to educate through the research and study of antiques and history. Go to their web site to learn more: https://www.questers1944.org/

04/21/2026

WVHS SPRING OPEN HOUSE ON SUNDAY APRIL 19 WAS A BUZZ OF ACTIVITY!!!

04/17/2026

04/17/2026

WVHS OPEN HOUSE - THIS SUNDAY APRIL 19 FROM 1-3PM @ OUR HQ & MUSEUM, THE 1895 WHITPAIN PUBLIC SCHOOL ON SKIPPACK PIKE.

OUR OPEN HOUSE THEME: LOOKING BACK AT OUR BICENTENNIAL - 1776 TO 1976. COME VIEW OUR COLLECTIONS COMMEMORATING OUR 200TH BIRTHDAY. OUR VINTAGE US FLAG COLLECTION WILL ALSO BE ON DISPLAY!!!

03/24/2026

Click on the photo to access our Eventbrite link to register for your walking tour!

Get tickets here while they last.