Home Schoolers Invited to John Potts' Home

Dressing up like a colonial

Blogger's Note: This just in from Lynn Symborski, museum educator at Pottsgrove Manor.

Home school students are invited to visit Pottsgrove Manor, the ancestral home of Pottstown founder John Potts, on Friday, Oct. 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

On that day, the manor will host a fun-filled and educational field trip that will let them explore the skills, trades, and pastimes of the 18th century.

Around the grounds, children will be able to participate in hands-on activities led by Pottsgrove Manor’s staff and volunteers, including candle-dipping, quill pen writing, historic toys and games, laundry, and colonial dress-up.

Guests will get to visit with farm animals like sheep and rabbits and learn how their hair would be spun into yarn.

Making Quill Pens

Participants will also see demonstrations of 18th-century crafts, open-hearth cooking, and food preservation.

The first floor of the Pottsgrove Manor mansion will be open for self-guided tours, with volunteers stationed in the rooms to share the house’s history and answer questions.

The museum shop will be open for the purchase of books, games, souvenirs, and more.

This program is ideal for elementary-aged students and is open to individual homeschool families, homeschool groups, and small school and church groups.

The cost is $5 per child.

Call 610-326-4014 to pre-register or for more information. Activities will be ongoing throughout the day; allow at least two hours for the visit.

Candle making

As most activities will be outdoors, this program will be held weather-permitting.

Limited parking and handicapped spots are available in the Pottsgrove Manor parking lot.

Visitors may also park directly across on King Street in the Quality Inn parking lot.


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.

Pottsgrove Manor is operated by Montgomery County under the direction of the Parks and Heritage Services Division of the Assets and Infrastructure Department.

Meet the big bunny.

Regular museum hours are Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Tours are given on the hour.

The last tour of the day begins at 3 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 the website at http://historicsites.montcopa.org/pottsgrovemanor

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