Colonial Cosmetics Lecture At Pottsgrove Manor Saturday, July 18, 2015 At 1:00 p.m.

Pottstown, PA  – Learn how colonial women beautified themselves with “In the Eye of the Beholder,” a lecture and demonstration taking place at historic Pottsgrove Manor on Saturday, July 18, 2015 at 1:00 p.m.

Standards of beauty have varied over the years, and just as clothing can mask problems and call attention to more desirable attributes, make-up can do the same. People in the 18th century did not have the cosmetic technologies of today, but they did have various lotions, salves, and other treatments to renew and enhance beauty. In this program, historian Dr. Clarissa F. Dillon will discuss and display colonial cosmetics, and attendees will even get to try some themselves.

A former teacher, Dillon was a founding member of the Past Masters in Early American Domestic Arts and has spent the past four decades researching everyday life of the 17th and 18th centuries. An expert on historic foodways, gardens, and other aspects of colonial domesticity, Dr. Dillon uses her vast
knowledge to make the past come alive.

After the presentation, visitors will have an opportunity to take a guided tour of the mansion at Pottsgrove Manor. They can also shop in the site’s museum store, which carries several of Dr. Dillon’s publications, as well as some of the soaps, salves, and scents of the 18th century.

There is a $2.00 per person suggested donation for this program.

Pottsgrove Manor is located at 100 West King Street near the intersection of King Street and Route 100, just off Route 422, in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. Pottsgrove Manor is operated by Montgomery County under the direction of the Parks, Trails, and Historic Sites Division of the Assets and Infrastructure Department. For more information, please call 610-326-4014, or visit the website at http://www.montcopa.org/pottsgrovemanor. Like Pottsgrove Manor on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pottsgrovemanor.

River Walk From Historic Pottsgrove Manor, September 24th

For immediate release: Saturday, September 24th from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm River Walk & Picnic

Pottstown, Pennsylvania— On Saturday, September 24, Pottsgrove Manor’s historic site supervisor will offer an informative walking tour from the Manor to the Riverfront Park along the Schuylkill River. The walk will begin at Pottsgrove Manor at 11:00 a.m. and will conclude at the site at 2:00 p.m.

Along the way, we will discuss the history and importance of the Manatawny Creek and the Schuylkill River to the iron working business of the Potts family. A picnic lunch along the river will be provided before heading back to the Manor. An optional guided tour of the house will be offered upon returning to Pottsgrove Manor. Please bring water, wear sunscreen and/or a hat, and wear comfortable shoes. The route is approximately 2 miles of paved trail and sidewalk. The terrain is mostly flat, with one set of stairs.

There is a fee of $15 for this program. Registration is required by September 20th. Registrants will be given a choice of boxed lunches when they call to register.  Contact: Lynn Symborski, Museum Educator; lsymbors@montcopa.org or (610) 326-4014

Pottsgrove Manor, home of John Potts, colonial ironmaster and founder of Pottstown, is located at 100 West King Street near the intersection of King Street and Route 100, just off Route 422, in Pottstown,Pennsylvania.  Pottsgrove Manor is operated by Montgomery County under the direction of the Parks and Heritage Services Department. 

Regular museum hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. & Sunday, 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Tours are given on the hour; last tour of the day begins as 3:00 p.m. Groups of 10 or more should pre-register by calling 610.326.4014. For more information and a full calendar of events, visit us on the web at http://historicsites.montcopa.org/pottsgrovemanor or http://www.facebook.com/PottsgroveManor.