Pottsgrove Manor To Offer Program On “Clothing The Common Sort”

Pottstown, PA – On Saturday, September 20, 2014, from 11:00am to 3:00pm, historic Pottsgrove Manor will show visitors what their colonial ancestors wore to work with a living history program entitled, “Clothing the Common Sort.”

At 11:00am and 1:00pm, historian Deborah Peterson will give show-and-tell presentations explaining the clothing of laboring men, women, and children in eighteenth-century America. Throughout the day, the site’s living history volunteers will demonstrate various colonial chores, including cooking at the open hearth, while dressed in their working-class attire. Some activities will be hands-on, and visitors will get a chance to try on some of the reproduction clothes for themselves.

This program is being held in conjunction with the Manor’s current exhibit of both reproduction and original 18^th-century garments, “To the Manor Worn: Clothing the 18^th-Century Household,” which can be toured on the hour during the program. There is a suggested donation of $2 per person for this program. The museum shop will also be open throughout the event and will be having a special one-day-only sale—10% off all sewing-related items!

The clothing exhibit can also be toured during regular museum hours through November 2, 2014: Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00am to 4:00pm and Sunday from 1:00pm to 4:00pm. Tours are given on the hour. The last tour of the day begins at 3:00pm. The site is closed Mondays and major holidays. Groups of ten or more should pre-register by calling 610-326-4014.

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 www.montcopa.org/pottsgrovemanor. Like Pottsgrove Manor on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pottsgrovemanor.

Pottsgrove Manor To Host Symposium On Historic Clothing And Textiles

Pottstown, PA – On Saturday, July 19, 2014 and Sunday, July 20, 2014 from 9:00am to 4:00pm, historic Pottsgrove Manor will present “Fashioning a New World: A Symposium on Clothing and Textiles in Early America” at the West Campus of Montgomery County Community College in Pottstown.

Pottsgrove Manor is pleased to offer this program of engaging lectures from experts in the study of historical costume and textiles. Scheduled presentations include: “Textiles in America: Dispelling the Myths” by Linda Eaton, Director of Collections and Senior Curator of Textiles at the Winterthur Museum; “Had on When She Went Away: American Runaway Advertisements, 1750-1790” by Rebecca Fifield, Collections Manager for the Department of the Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas at the Metropolitan Museum of Art; “Fit for a Child: Fashions Thought Suitable for Children in 18^th Century America” by Lynn Edgar, independent researcher; “With the Genteelest Taste and Newest Fashions: The Three Piece Suit 1660-1800” by Neal Hurst, Journeyman Tailor and fellow at the Winterthur Museum; “Put Your Best Foot Forward: Footwear of Early America” by Brett Walker, Journeyman Boot at Shoemaker at Colonial Williamsburg.

There will be optional sewing workshops offered on Sunday afternoon. Attendees can sign up for one of the following workshops: “Construction of an 18^th Century Infant/Toddler Jacket” with Lynn Edgar; “An 18^th Century Embroidered Needlebook” with Lynn Symborski, Pottsgrove Manor’s museum educator; “The Basics of Death Head Buttons” with Wendy Moyer, historical seamstress; or “Sewing a Gentleman’s Neck Stock” with Neal Hurst.

This program is being held in conjunction with Pottsgrove Manor’s current exhibit of both reproduction and original 18^th Century garments, “To the Manor Worn: Clothing the 18^th Century Household,” a tour of which will be included as part of the symposium.

The cost of the symposium is $75 per person, which includes Saturday and Sunday lunches; the optional Sunday afternoon workshops require an additional materials fee of $15 per person. Spaces are limited. Registration and payment is required by July 11, 2014. A registration packet can be downloaded from Pottsgrove Manor’s website: www.montcopa.org/pottsgrovemanor.

The “To the Manor Worn” exhibit can also be toured during regular museum hours through November 2, 2014: Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00am to 4:00pm and Sunday from 1:00pm to 4:00pm. Tours are given on the hour. The last tour of the day begins at 3:00pm. The site is closed Mondays and major holidays. Groups of ten or more should pre-register by calling 610-326-4014.

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 www.montcopa.org/pottsgrovemanor. Like Pottsgrove Manor on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pottsgrovemanor.

Pottsgrove Manor Tto Host “A Visit From The Mantuamaker”

Pottstown, PA – On Saturday, June 14, 2014 from 11:00am to 3:00pm, historic Pottsgrove Manor will host a living history program, “A Visit from the Mantuamaker.”

As a wealthy family, the Pottses would have likely hired a professional “mantuamaker”—that is a dressmaker—to cut out, fit, and sew gowns for Mrs. Potts and her daughters. In this program, the Manor’s staff and volunteers will demonstrate the process of creating a gown from scratch, as well as other aspects of sewing and tailoring colonial garments. They will also be dressed in reproduction 18th-century clothing, giving visitors an up-close look at the fashion of the era. Visitors of all ages can try their hand at some of the needlework techniques and play dress-up in replica 18th-century clothing.

This program is being held in conjunction with the Manor’s current exhibit of both reproduction and original 18th-century garments, “To the Manor Worn: Clothing the 18th-Century Household,” which can be toured on the hour during the program. There is a suggested donation of $2 per person for this program. The museum shop will also be open throughout the event and will be having a special one-day-only sale—10% off all sewing-related items!

The clothing exhibit can also be toured during regular museum hours through November 2, 2014: Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00am to 4:00pm and Sunday from 1:00pm to 4:00pm. Tours are given on the hour. The last tour of the day begins at 3:00pm. The site is closed Mondays and major holidays. Groups of ten or more should pre-register by calling 610-326-4014.

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 www.montcopa.org/pottsgrovemanor. Like Pottsgrove Manor on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pottsgrovemanor.

Pow Wow On Mantawny Creek Celebrates Pottstown’s Native American Heritage

Pottstown, PA – In 1859, workers clearing a mound in an area on the south side of the borough unearthed skeletal remains and artifacts of an ancestor of the Lenni-Lenape people.  Over the next twelve years many more remains and artifacts were unearthed in this area.  Many of the remains and items were initially exhibited locally, but over time they have been lost.

memorial.jpg an image of the memorial on Industrial Highway

In 2000, then mayor Anne Jones headed up a campaign that resulted in the Memorial currently located at the intersection of South Franklin Street and Industrial Highway. The site sits on land generously donated by the family of Mr. Tim O’Conner, owner of Humphrey Flag Company.

The memorial, which was originally dedicated on May 5, 2000, is an acknowledgement and a recognition of the people whose spirits inhabit those grounds.  Unfortunately, in recent years, the memorial has been neglected. In an effort to bring new life and attention to this memorial, Ron Williams and Clanmother Star Harbach have organized a re-dedication of the memorial on May 3 and a pow wow on May 3 and 4. Williams says: “The Memorial is my primary objective.  The Pow Wow is a way of creating interest. I am hopeful that in time we can do more to make this memorial a local landmark that we can be proud of. It should be a place of cultural awareness.  Future plans will include warm weather monthly story-telling circles, new plants representing the indigenous  features of the pre-colonial period, a medicine wheel, lighting and a sculpture representing the culture of the Native Americans, for starters.”

The rededication ceremony will begin at 9am on Saturday, May 3 at the site, which is at the corner of Franklin St. and Industrial Highway near the river. Frankie and Johnnie’s has generously offered the use of their parking lot for those who want to attend. Afterwards the festivities will switch to Memorial Park.

The pow wow will take place from 10am-6pm on Saturday and from 10am-5pm on Sunday at the Veteran’s Memorial in Memorial Park. Visitors will be treated to dances from many different tribes. In between the dances, a storyteller will entertain and educate with traditional tales. Guests will be able to shop at different Native American vendors, who will be selling leather crafts, jewelry, beadwork, instruments, wood sculptures, herbal teas and more. Author Gretchen Hardy will be selling signed copies of her book. Buttons & Beads: Lenape Princess Wynonah and the Future President, an historical fiction book illustrated by Zoungy Kligge, takes what is known of these intrepid ancestors and weaves them into one Lenape woman, Wynonah, who becomes their collective voice. A portion of the sales of her book will be donated to the Memorial fundraiser.  There will also be an interactive education tent run by Laura and Ron Buckwalter where visitors can learn more about the Lenape people. Outside of the main pow wow site, other local groups including ArtFusion 19464 will be set up.

SpritWing.jpg the group giving a free concert at the pow wow on Saturday night

The event will begin with a Grand Entrance and opening ceremony at 12pm on Saturday. Following the opening ceremony, there will be a Veteran’s Dance, where military veterans and those currently serving are invited to participate to honor their service. The dancing will continue until 6pm. At 7pm, group Spirit Wing entertain the community with a free concert open to the public. The pow wow on Sunday will also begin with a Grand Entrance at 12pm. The events that day will end at 5pm.

Clanmother Star will MC the event and Joe Camaho will be whip man for the event, a ceremonial position responsible for lining up the dancers for the Grand Entrance. Medicine Horse Singers will drum for the dancers.

The entrance fee for the pow wow is $5, cash only. Children 6 and under are free. Visitors can park in the Memorial Park lot and at the lot by the Carousel building on King Street. There will be a free trolley running from the Carousel parking lot up to Pottsgrove Manor, where the annual May Day festivities will also be taking place on Saturday.

Please note that the back gate at the Veteran’s Memorial in the park will be closed to the public. All events will run rain or shine.

The organizers and dancers ask that visitors only take pictures when they are told it is allowed, as a matter of respect. Those who do not follow these rules will be escorted from the event. This is a pet friendly event. Well-behaved pets on a leash are welcome, and owners are asked to be courteous and clean up after their pets.

All funds raised during this weekend will go toward establishing an annual celebration and the maintenance and improvement of the monument. The site will be updated to make it a place of learning, with a regular schedule of storytelling and other events that will take place on site. The pow wow will be an annual event, in an effort to continue the recognition of what was lost.

In conjunction with this effort to create the awareness of the Native American contribution to the history of this nation, Representative Mark Painter will also be presenting a resolution in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives on June 2, to recognize this year as the 90^th anniversary since Native Americans were granted full United States citizenship.  Until 1924, Native Americans were not citizens of the United States, but on June 2, 1924 Congress granted citizenship to all Native Americans born in the U.S. under the Indian Citizenship Act.

“Come To The Fair!” – Annual Colonial May Fair At Pottsgrove Manor

Pottstown, PA – Celebrate spring at the Annual Colonial May Fair held at historic Pottsgrove Manor on Saturday, May 3, 2014 from 11:00am to 5:00pm.

This yearly event is a fun-filled day with activities for all ages including games, music, dancing, and crafts. Tucker’s Tales Puppet Theatre will present interactive puppet shows and will also provide festive historic music around the grounds during the event. Signora Bella will delight audiences with her acrobatic feats. Colonial conjurer Levram the Great will perform historically-themed magic shows and entertain visitors with pocket magic tricks throughout the day. Members of the Tapestry Historic Dance Ensemble will demonstrate authentic English country dances and will lead visitors in dances around the maypole to open and close the fair.

In addition to the entertainment, a variety of early American crafters and demonstrators will be on hand to display historic skills and trades and sell their wares. Young visitors can compete in hoop races, play with colonial toys and games, help churn butter, and more! The first floor of colonial ironmaster John Potts’ 1752 manor house will be open for self-guided tours during the fair. Open-hearth cooking will be demonstrated in the Pottsgrove Manor kitchen. While visitors can’t try the food cooked in the colonial kitchen, they will be able to purchase food during the event. MMG Concessions will offer burgers, cheesesteaks, hot dogs, sausage, sandwiches, fries, hand-rolled pretzels, fresh-squeezed lemonade, and more. Visitors can also shop at the manor’s museum shop for colonial games, books, and unique gifts.

This year’s fair coincides with the first-ever “Pow-Wow on Manatawny Creek,” celebrating the culture and traditions of the Lenni-Lenape Indians. The pow-wow will be taking place during the hours of May Fair and will be held at Memorial Park, less than a block from the Manor. The public is encouraged to visit both events for an experience that spans time periods and cultures!

For a schedule of the day’s activities and a list of vendors and craftspeople who will be at the fair, please visit http://www.montcopa.org/index.aspx?NID=1421.

A donation of $2.00 per person is suggested for this event. Visitors are asked to park at the Carousel at Pottstown building, 30 West King Street. There is no charge for parking, and Pottstown’s restored trolley will be giving free rides during the fair between the carousel parking lot, Memorial Park, and Pottsgrove Manor. Handicapped parking is available in the museum’s parking lot.

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 www.montcopa.org/pottsgrovemanor.

Like Pottsgrove Manor on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pottsgrovemanor.

“Death By Petticoat” Lectures To Open New Exhibit At Pottsgrove Manor

Pottstown, PA – On Saturday, March 8, 2014 at 10:00am and 12:00pm, historic Pottsgrove Manor will host Mary Miley Theobald for her lecture, “Death by Petticoat: American History Myths Debunked.”

Theobald is a Virginia-based author and historian who holds a BA and MA in history from the College of William and Mary and taught American history and museum studies at Virginia Commonwealth University for thirteen years. The author of numerous magazine articles, ten nonfiction books, a mystery series, and four podcasts, Theobald also runs the “History Myths Debunked” blog. In her lecture at Pottsgrove Manor, Theobald will speak about common American history myths, including several pertaining to the clothing worn by Americans’ ancestors. Theobald will also be signing copies of her book, “Death by Petticoat,” which will be for sale at the site.

The 12:00pm session will be a repeat of the 10:00am session. Seating for each session is limited. Please call the site at 610-326-4014 to make reservations. There is a $2.00 per person suggested donation for this event.

This program kicks off a new exhibit at Pottsgrove Manor, entitled, “To the Manor Worn: Clothing the Eighteenth-Century Household.” To modern sensibilities, the clothing people wore in the past can seem strange, uncomfortable, or even unhealthy. This exhibit will give visitors a better understanding of clothing and fashion in colonial America, through displays of reproduction clothing as well as a number of original pieces, including items on loan from the collections of Cliveden, Stenton, Wyck House, the Landis Valley Museum, and the Chester County Historical Society. Not only will the exhibit showcase mid-eighteenth century fashion, it will also place what people wore in a broader historical context. How were clothes made, and who made them? What materials were used, and where did they come from? Who wore what, and why? The exhibit will be open through November 2, 2014 and can be viewed on a guided tour of Pottsgrove Manor during regular museum hours.

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. Regular museum hours are Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00am to 4:00pm and Sunday from 1:00pm to 4:00pm. Tours are given on the hour. The last tour of the day begins at 3:00pm. The site is closed Mondays and holidays. Groups of ten or more should preregister by calling 610-326-4014. For more information, please call 610-326-4014, or visit the website at www.montcopa.org/pottsgrovemanor. Like Pottsgrove Manor on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pottsgrovemanor.

Visit Pottsgrove Manor By Candlelight

Pottstown, PA– Revel in the spirit of the season at historic Pottsgrove Manor with the annual “Pottsgrove Manor by Candlelight” open-house on Sunday, December 8, 2013 from 2:00pm to 8:00pm.

The public is invited to take a self-guided tour of the elegant 1752 manor house where costumed interpreters will depict the colonial residents of Pottsgrove Manor. As visitors make their way through the house they will hear the strains of traditional harp music, see English country dancing, catch a whiff of the delicious smells in the kitchen as historical cook Deborah Peterson prepares authentic dishes at the open hearth, and enjoy the beauty of the mansion lit by candlelight and bedecked with greenery. Complimentary refreshments of hot spiced cider, colonial-style chocolate drink, and gingerbread cookies will be served at the end of the house tour.

After exploring the house, guests will want to visit Pottsgrove Manor’s museum shop for unique, historically-oriented gifts like locally-made redware pottery and ornaments, reproduction glassware, handcrafted candles and soaps, books, toys, games, and more.

Next door to the mansion in the Miller’s House, young visitors will be able to make free seasonal crafts to take home. Outside in the manor’s courtyard, visitors will be able to warm themselves by a bonfire (weather permitting), and enjoy historic carols sung by the Colonial Revelers singing group (performing from 2:00pm to 5:00pm).

A donation of $2 per person is suggested for this event. No reservations are needed. Visitors are asked to park at Memorial Park (75 West King Street); a shuttle will transport visitors to and from Pottsgrove Manor throughout the event. Handicapped parking is available in the museum’s parking lot. The Manor’s open house will also be featured as a stop on the Pottstown Historical House Tour that evening.

Can’t make it to the open house? Visitors can enjoy the spirit of the season at Pottsgrove Manor now through January 12, 2014 with a guided tour of the mansion, decorated for the holidays. Tours are offered during regular museum hours, and the museum shop will also be open for holiday shopping. Regular museum hours are Tuesday to Saturday, 10:00am to 4:00pm and Sunday, 1:00pm to 4:00pm. Tours are given on the hour. The last tour of the day begins as 3:00pm. Groups of 10 or more should pre-register by calling0 610-326-4014. The museum is closed Mondays, as well as Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day.

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 MontgomeryCounty under the direction of the Parks, Trails, & Historic Sites Division of the Assets and Infrastructure Department. For more information, please call 610-326-4014, or visit the website at www.montcopa.org/pottsgrovemanor. Like Pottsgrove Manor on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pottsgrovemanor.

Schuylkill River Festival 2013, October 12 From Noon To 6pm In Pottstown

Location of Pottstown in Montgomery County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

RiverFest celebrations are on Saturday, Oct 12, 2013 from noon until 6pm at Riverfront Park (140 College Drive in Pottstown)

Learn to Kayak along the river between 12 and 4:30 were kayaks and equipment will be available for a low cost ($15/half hour) through the day.

Take a kayak tour at 4:30 – Take a 2-mile paddle trip to Tow Path Park – shuttle & equipment is available at a small cost of $35. You can register the day of or go to    https://www.facebook.com/TakeItOutdoorsAG   or  takeitoutdoorsag@gmail.com or 610-656-3969 (fist come basis).

Historic River Walks at 1:00pm AND 4:00pm –  presented by the staff of Pottsgrove Manor.

Artists and Crafters will be present to display their creative arts and local music  will be heard throughout the day!

Read more: http://downtownpottstown.org/river-festival-2013-october-12-2013/

Pottsgrove Manor To Host Open-Hearth Cooking Workshop

Pottstown, PA – On Saturday, October 19, 2013, from 10:00am to 3:00pm, historic Pottsgrove Manor will host an open-hearth cooking workshop entitled “Cast-Iron Chef” in the manor’s reconstructed colonial kitchen.

A common material for cooking equipment in past centuries, cast-iron is experiencing a resurgence in popularity among modern cooks for its durability and versatility. In this hands-on workshop, historic cook Deborah Peterson will teach participants how to cook with and care for cast iron cookware. Historically and seasonally appropriate dishes of the colonial period will be prepared and consumed by the participants.

The workshop is open to participants ages 12 and up, but those under 16 should be accompanied by an adult. There is a fee of $50.00 per person. To ensure one-on-one instruction, the class size is limited to eight. Registration forms may be picked up at Pottsgrove Manor or downloaded online at http://montcopa.org/DocumentCenter/View/4381.

The workshop is being held in conjunction with Pottsgrove Manor’s current exhibit “Forging a Lifestyle: Ironworking with the Potts Family,” which runs until November 3, 2013 and can be viewed during a guided tour of Pottsgrove Manor during regular museum hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 10:00am to 4:00pm and Sunday, 1:00pm to 4:00pm. Tours are given on the hour. The last tour of the day begins at 3:00pm. The site is closed Mondays and major holidays. Groups of ten or more should pre-register by calling 610-326-4014.

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, & Historic Sites Division of the Assets and Infrastructure Department. For more information, please call 610-326-4014, or visit the website at www.montcopa.org/pottsgrovemanor. Like Pottsgrove Manor on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pottsgrovemanor.