Historic Trappe

Historic Trappe We preserve and share the historic places, landscapes, and heritage of southeastern Pennsylvania.

We offer a research library, archives, and exhibitions at our Center for Pennsylvania German Studies, two historic houses, and gardens open to the public.

On Wednesday, June 24, celebrate 250 years of history with a special guided tour of Historic Trappe, exploring how Luthe...
06/04/2026

On Wednesday, June 24, celebrate 250 years of history with a special guided tour of Historic Trappe, exploring how Lutheran families such as the Muhlenbergs were integrally involved in the Revolutionary War. Learn how the war directly impacted Lutherans in southeastern Pennsylvania and enjoy rarely-seen artifacts from historic congregations including Augustus Lutheran, New Hanover, St. Michael's Germantown, and St. Michael's and Zion in Philadelphia.

Co-hosted by Historic Trappe and the Lutheran Archives Center at Philadelphia, this anniversary program highlights the faith, community, and cultural traditions that shaped life during the Revolutionary era. Tours are led by a combination of staff including Lisa Minardi, executive director; Christopher Malone, curator; Sheila Joy, archivist; and Haley Wrye, assistant archivist.

Tours are offered for two time slots: 10 am to 12 pm and 2 to 4 pm. Augustus Lutheran Church will also be open for tours from 12 to 2 pm both days and is included with your purchase of a ticket.

Location: Meet at the Dewees Tavern, 301 W. Main St. Trappe, PA

Cost: $25 per person

Buy tickets at https://historictrappe.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/historictrappe/eventRegistration.jsp?event=575& or by clicking the link in our bio.

06/04/2026

Historic Trappe’s gift shop is like no other!

Tour our museums and take home a piece of Pennsylvania German folk art or American history with you from our gift shop at the Dewees Tavern. We proudly carry handmade items such as redware by Kennedy Redware and River Rat Pottery as well as spun cotton ornaments made by Cotton Critters. Open every weekend, or by appointment.

Visit HistoricTrappe.org to learn more.

Here’s a behind the scenes peek at a recent photo shoot for the forthcoming 2026 volume of Americana Insights! We are ha...
06/03/2026

Here’s a behind the scenes peek at a recent photo shoot for the forthcoming 2026 volume of Americana Insights! We are happy to partner with Americana Insights to turn our galleries into a temporary photo studio from time to time. Stay tuned for more information about the new volume, due out this October!

Visit americanainsights.org to learn more.

Our Revolutionary Kids Day Camp is open for registration!Revolutionary Kids is a new summer day camp for rising 3rd thro...
06/02/2026

Our Revolutionary Kids Day Camp is open for registration!

Revolutionary Kids is a new summer day camp for rising 3rd through 6th graders, offered over two weeks this summer on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.

The first week (July 28-30) is designed for rising 3rd and 4th graders, and the second week (August 4-6) for rising 5th and 6th graders, allowing activities and instruction to be tailored to each age group. The program introduces children to life in the 1700s through active, inquiry-based learning at Historic Trappe’s sites, including the Speaker’s House, home of Frederick Muhlenberg, first Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. Camp sessions include hearth cooking, gardening, archaeology, colonial games, paper marbling, and a variety of other colonial crafts. Lessons will be led by Historic Trappe’s museum educators and enriched by outside experts each day.

Register today at historictrappe.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/historictrappe/eventRegistration.jsp?event=553& or by clicking the link in our bio!

06/02/2026

Tour Guide Favorites: Henry Muhlenberg’s original bibles and medical books.

Tour guide Nicole takes us inside a cupboard at the Muhlenberg House, where we have a number of original books owned by Henry Muhlenberg including bibles and medical books. These books are one of the many hidden treasures you can find in our museums. Explore for yourself—we are open every weekend!

Fun fact: Muhlenberg knew seven different languages–German, English, Greek, Latin, Hebrew, French, and Dutch!

Visit HistoricTrappe.org for more details.

Historic Trappe is sad to announce the death of trustee emeritus Alan "Pete" Townsend. Pete was a longtime volunteer at ...
06/01/2026

Historic Trappe is sad to announce the death of trustee emeritus Alan "Pete" Townsend. Pete was a longtime volunteer at the Speaker's House, in particular with the archaeology field school program since its inception in 2008. He helped mentor dozens of aspiring archaeologists and was universally beloved by the many students with whom he interacted. In later years, when he was no longer physically able to get down on his hands and knees to excavate, Pete oversaw the lab--where every artifact ended up for sorting, washing or dry brushing, bagging, and labeling. Pete will be greatly missed by all of us at Historic Trappe.

Memorial contributions in Pete's memory may be made to Historic Trappe: https://historictrappe.org/annual-fund/

More information on Pete and his memorial service on June 11 is available here:
https://www.rlwilliamsfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Alan-R-Townsend?obId=48555279

Our affiliate, Perkiomen Valley 250, is hosting a Flag Day Gala in celebration of !On Flag Day—June 14, 2026—join commu...
06/01/2026

Our affiliate, Perkiomen Valley 250, is hosting a Flag Day Gala in celebration of !

On Flag Day—June 14, 2026—join community leaders and supporters for a commemorative fundraising gala marking the 250th anniversary of the United States. Held at the Museum at Hoppenville, a new venue located in the heart of the Perkiomen Valley, this special evening will feature a guest appearance by Betsy Ross and live music by the Community Music School of Trappe. Enjoy cocktails and hors d’oeuvres on the outdoor patio overlooking the historic estate from 5 to 6 pm, followed by a seated dinner and a lively performance by Carol Spacht as America's famous flag maker.

This event jointly benefits the Montgomery Bar Foundation and Perkiomen Valley 250, a collaborative effort to celebrate the nation's Semiquincentennial anniversary. Sponsorship opportunities are available for the gala.

Buy your tickets for the Flag Day Gala now!

Dress code: cocktail party attire; patriotic flair and/or red, white, and blue colors are encouraged!

Visit pv250.org/gala/ for more information

Our June schedule is packed! We have events every weekend, including special events plus our recurring Living History ...
06/01/2026

Our June schedule is packed! We have events every weekend, including special events plus our recurring Living History Demonstrations and popular Kids Dig History program. There’s something for the whole family to enjoy!

Visit HistoricTrappe.org/events to learn more.

These two fraktur birth and baptismal certificates in Historic Trappe's collection tell the story of a young boy and gir...
05/31/2026

These two fraktur birth and baptismal certificates in Historic Trappe's collection tell the story of a young boy and girl who eventually became husband and wife, giving us insight into the personal histories and lives of Pennsylvania Germans.

The first birth and baptismal certificate pictured is attributed to Conrad Trevits (1756-1830) and features two large potted tulips in vibrant watercolors. It was made for Abraham Morgan (1801-1897), son of Revolutionary War soldier Jacob Morgan (1751-1825) and Eva Maria Graff (1757-1824) of Brunswick Township, Berks (now Schuylkill) County. Abraham married Maria Beyer (1803-1879) sometime before 1822, and the couple had six children together.

Maria's birth and baptismal certificate features parrots, pomegranates, tulips, and two winged angel heads. Maria was the daughter of Peter Beyer (1777-1851) and Maria Kamp (1782-1871) of Greenwich Township, Berks County. She and Abraham spent most of their life in Schuylkill County. We are honored to be able to care for these pieces and preserve Abraham and Maria’s story together.

For more information, you can view our collections online at historictrappe.pastperfectonline.com

05/30/2026

Have you heard of spatterware?

Ceramics decorated with this technique were made primarily in England, and were popular in Pennsylvania German households in the early to mid 1800s. We have a large collection of spatterware on display in the Dewees Tavern, which was generously donated to us by Jane and Gerald Katcher in 2021. We have also excavated hundreds of spatterware fragments during archaeology digs at the Speaker’s House, proving that this pottery was once common right here in Trappe. See it in person at the Center for Pennsylvania German Studies, open every weekend or by appointment.

Visit HistoricTrappe.org for more information

Address

301 W. Main Street
Trappe, PA
19426

Opening Hours

Saturday 10am - 4pm
Sunday 12pm - 4pm

Telephone

+16104897560

Website

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