Introduction to Genealogy: Uncovering Your Past

The Historical Society of Montgomery County is offering a four-week class for beginner genealogists.

Historical Society to Host Talk on the Decline of Norristown's Main Street

Former Historical Society staff member and author Michael E. Tolle will discuss the history and decline of Norristown's shopping district.

Downtown Norristown was once the destination shopping district for central Montgomery County, but years of decline and neglect have left it a shell of its former glory. Author Michael E. Tolle will discuss the history of the district and some of the elements that led to its decline at a public discussion on Sunday, Jan. 13 at 2:30 p.m. at the Historical Society of Montgomery County, 1654 DeKalb Street in Norristown. Tolle, a former staff member of the society, will also sign copies of his book, What Killed Downtown? Norristown,Pennsylvania, from Main Street to the Malls. For more information, call 610-272-0297 or e-mail contactus@hsmcpa.org.

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Five Things for Tuesday, Sept. 20

Here are five things to know about life and Norristown today.

1. Want to know where you come from? The Historical Society of Montgomery County is offering a genealogy workshop, "Introduction to Genealogy: Uncovering Your Past." Learn basic research tips for finding family. The class will run four consecutive Tuesdays, Sept. 6 through 27, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Pre-registration is required. To register or to get more information, call 610-272-0297. 2. Norristown's Cub Pack 724 is having an open house tonight at 7 p.m. at Whitehall Elementary, 399 N. Whitehall Road. For over 80 years, Cub Scouts have been having the time of their lives making new friends and learning new things. If you're child is 7 to 10 years old, and is interested in becoming a scout, stop by and meet the pack. 3. Greater Norristown …

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Seeing Montgomery Cemetery

The West Norriton burial ground holds clues to local and national history.

Walking the grounds of the Montgomery Cemetery, one is almost certain to come across names tied to local, state and even national history. Located at 1 Hartranft Ave. in West Norriton Township, the 44-acre cemetery has been owned by the Historical Society of Montgomery County since 1997, when it acquired the property from the Goodwill Baptist Church. The cemetery was the first nonsectarian burial ground in Montgomery County, said Karen Wolfe, the historical society’s executive director. Established in 1847, the cemetery originally had been owned by the Montgomery Cemetery Co., which sold it to the Mills family in 1935. The cemetery was transferred to the Baptist church in 1987. Plans to build a church on the grounds fell through, as did a …

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Hot for History

A treasure trove of information is available through the Historical Society of Montgomery County.

Whether you are interested in genealogy, seeking information about your property, or just want to know more about the area, you might want to consider visiting the Historical Society of Montgomery County at 1654 DeKalb St. in Norristown. According to Executive Director Karen Wolfe, the organization, which was established in 1881, is the official historical society for the county. “Our mission is to educate the public on the history of Montgomery County and its peoples, and to gather not only information, but artifacts, relating to Montgomery County,” she said. The history of the county is rich and varied. At one time part of Philadelphia County, which was one of Pennsylvania’s original three counties, Montgomery County became a separate …

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Norristown High Students Digging into the Past

The students are excavating pieces of history from Muhlenberg House grounds in nearby Trappe.

Have you ever driven by 201 W. Main St. in Trappe? Did you even notice the little house nestled into the landscape? Maybe you saw the sign identifying it as Henry Muhlenberg’s old place. Maybe you even know the house is the location of the local historical society. But the old Muhlenberg house is much more than just a place the historical German lived. It is far greater than the offices of those who showcase the area’s history. The house and surrounding area is the history. Lou Farrell, a teacher at the Upper Perkiomen High School and doctoral student at Temple University, brought his first group of amateur archaeologists to the site a little over a year ago to dig up Henry Muhlenberg’s “summer kitchen.” The historical society had …

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