Pottsgrove Manor

10/27/2026

Trick or treat, give us something colonial to EAT!
🥮Fresh from in Philadelelphia and onto the shelves of Pottsgrove Manor's gift shop, you'll find colonial-style marshmallows, authentic gingerbread, and Linzer sandwich cookies.
Chocolate your thing? 🍫 Currently in stock are fine spiced chocolates, hot chocolate, and assorted chocolate covered candies from The Pewter Pot.
Don't get tricked, treat yourself today! Pottsgrove Manor is open daily for tours and shopping Tuesdays through Saturday, 1-4, and Sundays 1-4.

10/25/2026

Today marks 266 years since King George III ascended to the throne. By the time he became king in 1760, the Potts family was already firmly established at Pottsgrove Manor, where all thirteen Potts children had been born before his reign began.
George III was the third king of the Hanoverian dynasty, the same family that still sits on the throne to this day. King George III has a complicated legacy that differs depending on if it is being discussed in the United States or in Great Britain.
King George III was very popular among British citizens, even amongst the population of colonial America. Throughout the 1760s the King found himself increasingly exasperated at the colonies, taking measures ensuring his role as tyrant in things like the oath that Samuel Potts took as a Justice of the Peace for Pennsylvania.
The remainder of the reign of King George III was just as eventful. He led Great Britain through one of the largest threats in recent memory: The Napoleonic Wars. He personally inspected troops and volunteers mustering to repel any French attack which King George III was set to lead personally.
The end of the life of King George III came almost complete blindness due to cataracts, and mental illness. Plagued since the late 18th century with bouts of mental illness, the last full mental breakdown occurred in 1811, which saw the Crown Prince of Wales taking over the reigns of government in a regency until the King’s death in 1820.

10/23/2026

A chandler, known in French as a chandelier, was a maker and seller of candles. Historical records suggest the Potts family had their own candles produced by in-house labor using nearby resources like tallow and beeswax rather than purchasing them from a professional chandler.
Step into the role yourself on November 14 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. when Heritage Art and Craft Studio presents an Early American Candle Making Workshop at Pottsgrove Manor. Learn the techniques behind this everyday colonial necessity and create candles of your own. Participants will make their own double-wick, 100% beeswax hand-dipped candle, and a 5" cinnamon-scented display ornament. Perfect to keep or give to a special host or hostess in your life.

Spots are limited! Call 610.326.4014 or email [email protected] to reserve your seat today.
*Cost: $50 per participant, all materials supplied.

10/18/2026

Soup's on! 🫕
Before there were beef bouillon cubes, there was portable soup. Pottsgrove Manor stirs up the story on this colonial staple!

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10/17/2026

We are just one month away from our candle-making workshop on November 14th! There are limited slots remaining, so if you're interested, please call us at 610-326-4014 or email us at [email protected].
The workshop runs from 1pm to 3pm and the cost for the event is $50 with all materials are provided.

10/16/2026

Have you heard the exciting news?!
TOMORROW is the grand opening of our sister site, Sunrise Mill! Be sure to head over to Montgomery County's newest public historic site between 11 and 2 for history, family-friendly activities, and more!

Tomorrow is the day! 🍂 Sunrise Mill officially opens to the public.

After more than 250 years of history and years of restoration, Montgomery County is welcoming the community to explore Sunrise Mill and celebrate its next chapter.

Join us for the Sunrise Mill Fall Fest from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. with:
- self-guided mill tours
- live music
- food trucks
- family-friendly activities
- exhibits and historic structures throughout the site

Visitors will be able to explore the restored 18th-century gristmill and sawmill complex, learn about the people and industries connected to the property, and experience the history of Sunrise Mill firsthand.

🚗 Parking: On-site parking is limited. Visitors are encouraged to use the free shuttle from the Upper Frederick Township Municipal Building, 3205 Big Rd, Zieglerville, PA 19492. Staff will be on-site to help direct visitors and assist with parking.

📍 Sunrise Mill
3431 Neiffer Road
Schwenksville, PA 19473

10/14/2026

🎂Happy Birthday William Penn!🎂

Today marks the 382nd Birthday of William Penn, the founder of Pennsylvania. Born in England in 1644, Penn was granted Pennsylvania in exchange for his father’s military service. He wanted Pennsylvania to be a great experiment in religious freedom, something Thomas Potts was eager for.

Thomas Potts arrived in the colonies around the age of 10, as his uncle (confusingly also Thomas Potts) was a Quaker fleeing persecution in Wales. He grew up in Germantown, founded just six years prior. In his adult years, despite no background in ironworking, Thomas began acquiring parts of Colebrookdale Iron Furnace near present day Boyertown.

10/06/2026

It's World Teacher Day! 👩‍🏫✍📚
Documentary evidence shows that the Potts family placed a high value on education. John and Ruth Potts spared no expense when it came to their children's schooling, sending them to boarding schools in Philadelphia and even paying for higher education for some of them.
Education was also important to the growing community of Pottstown. In 1769, the town was only eight years old, but efforts were already underway to expand the local school. The newspaper advertisement pictured here appeared in the Pennsylvania Gazette on September 28, 1769.
According to the ad, schoolmaster Henry Moore had "engaged a gentleman qualified to teach the English tongue grammatically, writing, arithmetic, and several branches of the mathematics." Moore himself taught Latin and Greek, while the English master's wife instructed young women in reading, writing, arithmetic, and needlework.
Parents could take comfort in one final promise from the school: "especial care will be taken of the morals of their pupils."

From the 18th century to the present day, teachers have had an invaluable role within their communities.

If you want to take the learning outside of the classroom this fall, be sure to visit Pottsgrove Manor for a field trip or guided tour!