Morlatton Village Celebrates 300 Years in Amity

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by the Historic Preservation Trust of Berks County.

The Historic Preservation Trust of Berks County (HPTBC) invites you to join us for its summer and fall Third Saturday Programs. 

This year’s series will celebrate Morlatton Village and the 300th anniversary of Amity Township. 

These site-wide programs are offered  through October and include various formats and topics such as exhibits, demonstrations, interactive sessions, and oral and graphic presentations. 

Tours of Morlatton Village will be offered when applicable. The program begins at the White Horse Inn. Suggested donation $2/person. All proceeds benefit the Trust. 

“Cooking with the Collier”

Scheduled for Aug. 17 at 10 a.m. , join Jay Erb as he cooks over an open fire and discusses charcoal making in the nineteenth century. 

Visitors will get to meet a collier from the year 1815 who will teach about cooking nineteenth century meals that often included bacon, ham, sugar, and coffee. 

Colliers were charcoal makers who work provided fuel for iron forges and furnaces. Colliers spent a great deal of time in forests working to turn wood into charcoal, therefore they needed to cook over an open fire using a minimum number of utensils. 

Jay Erb is a ranger at Warwick Park in Chester County.

“Mistress Douglass and Mr. Douglass at Home”

Scheduled for Oct. 19 at 11 a.m., join Trust volunteers Courtney McKay Stevens and Omar Hottenstein, dressed in eighteenth century period clothing, as they portray Mr. & Mrs. George Douglass and receive visitors in their 1765 Georgian mansion. 

Mary Piersall Douglass will speak about her life at home with Mr. Douglass and their family and friends. A man of Scotland, George Douglass prospered as a businessman in the early Manatawny region. 

Please note, this program will take place at the George Douglass House in Morlatton Village.

The HPTBC is a non-profit organization that acquires, preserves, and maintains historically and architecturally significant properties in Berks County, Pennsylvania and educates Berks County and its’ visitors about the role these sites played in Pennsylvania and American history. 

The Trust seeks to foster community involvement and support in promoting awareness and appreciation of historic structures and encouraging their adaptive reuse. The Trust currently owns and maintains eight historically significant buildings in the greater Reading/Berks County area. 

The office is located in the White Horse Inn on Old Philadelphia Pike in Douglassville. If you are interested in donating to the Trust please call 610-385-4762 or visit www.historicpreservationtrust.org.

Morlatton Village to Host Living History Event

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by the Historic Preservation Trust of Berks County.

The Historic Preservation Trust of Berks County will host a living history event on May 19 at its Morlatton Village headquarters in Douglassville from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.. 

Visitors can enjoy a variety of interactive presentations as well as tours of the Village and its buildings.

There will be several presentations going on throughout the Village:

• The Chapter 21 Archaeologists, a volunteer group, will present new archaeological findings at the 1716 Mouns Jones House, including the newly uncovered root cellar. 
• Volunteer Ken Biles’ Native American Artifact Collection will be on display as well near the Mouns Jones House. 
• Trust volunteers will be offering guided tours of the White Horse Tavern, George Douglass House, Michael Fulp House, and the Mouns Jones House. 
• At 10:30am, Trust volunteers Courtney Stevens and Susan Speros will give their program “Roots, Fruits, and Vegetables: Eighteenth Century Food Storage” in the White Horse Tavern. Visitors will have the opportunity to hear all about colonial foodways, including the use and purpose of a root cellar, and eighteenth century food preparation and storage. 
• At 12 p.m. and 2 p.m., there will be a presentation of the new play “Searching for Betsy Ross” sponsored by the Chapter 21 Archaeologists on the grounds of the Mouns Jones House. 

Admission is a $10 per person suggested donation. Trust members and children 12 and under are free. All proceeds benefit the Trust. Please check our website -- www.historicpreservationtrust.org -- for updates on the event. 

The HPTBC is a non-profit organization that acquires, preserves, and maintains historically and architecturally significant properties in Berks County, Pennsylvania and educates Berks County and its’ visitors about the role these sites played in Pennsylvania and American history. 

The Trust seeks to foster community involvement and support in promoting awareness and appreciation of historic structures and encouraging their adaptive reuse. 

The Trust currently owns and maintains eight historically significant buildings in the greater Reading/Berks County area.Our office is located in the White Horse Inn on Old Philadelphia Pike in Douglassville. If you are interested in donating to the Trust call 610-385-4762 or visit www.historicpreservationtrust.org.

A Tavern Christmas Set at Morlatton Village Dec. 16

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by the Historic Preservation Trust of Berks County.

The Historic Preservation Trust of Berks County has announced a new holiday event in Morlatton Village. 

On Dec. 16, from 1 to 5 p.m., the trust will celebrate Christmas as it would have been celebrated in the eighteenth century with music, caroling, dancing, and refreshment in the festive atmosphere of the White Horse Inn.

Families can enjoy crafts for children and a visit from the Belsnickel.

Visitors will delight in the festive, holiday ambiance of the White Horse Inn. 

The rooms will be decorated with fresh greenery and visitors can partake in a variety of activities. 

The White Horse Inn

The Amity Colonial Dancers will demonstrate several colonial and early American dances and visitors will even have the chance to join in on the fun with some audience participation. We will be joined by a harp and cello duo who will lead us in singing some traditional Christmas carols.

In the Tavern Room, visitors can relax with some complimentary mulled cider and play some fun tavern games like cards and dice. 

Families and children will want to make sure to visit the Belsnickel as well in his “workshop” where kids can enjoy a variety of Christmas crafts. 

The Belsnickel, part of eighteenth century rural Pennsylvania German Christmas lore, is much different from today’s jolly, old Santa Claus. Bring the whole family and learn more about how Christmas was celebrated in eastern Pennsylvania almost 300 years ago.

Admission for A Tavern Christmas is a $5 per person suggested donation. Trust members and children 12 and under are free. 

Complimentary light refreshments will be available and fresh baked goods can be purchased. 

Visit the website for additional event information. Cash or check only for payments. Event
is rain or shine.

The Historic Preservation Trust of Berks County is a non-profit organization that acquires, preserves, and maintains historically and architecturally significant properties in Berks County, Pennsylvania and educates Berks County and its’ visitors about the role these sites played in Pennsylvania and American history. 

The Trust seeks to foster community involvement and support in promoting awareness and appreciation of historic structures and encouraging their adaptive reuse. 

The Trust currently owns and maintains eight historically significant buildings in the greater Reading/Berks County area. 

The office is located in the White Horse Inn on Old Philadelphia Pike in Douglassville. 

Anyone interested in donating to the Trust should call 610-385- 4762 or visit www.historicpreservationtrust.org.

Planting Seeds of History and Health at Morlotton

The program begins at the White Horse Tavern, shown above, in Morlotton Village Sept. 16.

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by the Historic Preservation Trust of Berks County.

The Historic Preservation Trust of Berks County will hold a site-wide event at Morlottan Village in Douglassville focusing on gardens of the 18th century on  Sat. Sept. 16.

Join Trust volunteers Sue Speros and Dr. Courtney Stevens to learn more about the importance of
gardens in the eighteenth century. Gardens were the “medicine chests” for the farms, the source of flavorful herbs for cooking, and provided lovely simple flowers that could bring beauty to a home.

The program will also include a visit to the White Horse Tavern’s herb garden where visitors will have a chance to experience and explore some of these herbs for themselves.

Susan Speros is the Site Manager for the Alleghany Aqueduct Historical Park, owned by the Berks
County Parks and Recreation Department. She also writes for the Reading Eagle’s Berks Country Magazine.

She currently serves as a director on the Historic Preservation Trust of Berks County board and volunteers at numerous historic sites across the county.

Dr. Courtney McKay Stevens is a retired professor of nursing and an active member of the local Herb
Society of America. Courtney is a longtime Trust volunteer and also donates her time to many other historic sites in the area.

The program begins at the White Horse Inn.

Tours of Morlatton Village will be offered when applicable.

All proceeds benefit the Trust.

These site-wide programs are offered April-October and include various formats and topics such as exhibits, demonstrations, interactive sessions, and oral and graphic presentations.

The suggested donation is $2 per person.

The HPTBC is a non-profit organization that acquires, preserves, and maintains historically and architecturally significant properties in Berks County, and educates Berks County and its visitors about the role these sites played in Pennsylvania and American history.

The Trust seeks to foster community involvement and support in promoting awareness and appreciation of historic structures and encouraging their adaptive reuse.

The Trust currently owns and maintains eight historically significant buildings in the greater Reading/Berks County area.

The office is located in the White Horse Inn on Old Philadelphia Pike in Douglassville.

If you are interested in donating to the Trust please call 610-385- 4762 or visit www.historicpreservationtrust.org.

Summer Activities Abound Along Schuylkill's Shores

It's hard to picture a better way to enjoy the lazy days of summer, than along the shores of our own Schuylkill River.

Luckily for us all, the Schuylkill River Heritage Area is located right here in Pottstown in Riverfront Park and has a number of upcoming events to appeal to the historian, padder or pedaler in your family.

• Early Bird pricing ends July 15 for the Ride for the River.

On Sept. 30 the heritage area is bringing the Ride for the River back for a second year. Take a 16- or 40-mile ride along the Schuylkill River Trail from Pottstown to Reading, beginning and ending at Sly Fox Can Jam festival where riders can enjoy eight hours of free live music

All proceeds benefit the Schuylkill River Heritage Area, which works with partners to build, maintain and promote the Schuylkill River Trail.

Click here on this link to register.

Volunteers for Ride for the River are also needed. Interested in volunteering? Email Laura at lcatalano@schuylkillriver.org

• On Friday, July 21, the heritage center will hold Schuylkill Explorers Family Day.

A free two-hour program from 9 to 11 a.m., the program gets kids outdoors and teaches the importance of protecting our natural resources.

Visit the Schuylkill River Heritage Area's River of Revolutions Interpretive Center, walk on the Pottstown RiverWalk, and participate in an environmental education activity

Appropriate for children ages 5 and up; parents must accompany children during the program

Click here on this link to register.

• The first of three popular Pedal and Paddle Tours is scheduled for Saturday, July 22 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will focus on water quality.

Pedal and Paddles begin with a 4.5 mile bike ride from Pottstown’s Riverfront Park to Douglassville, using yellow cruisers from the Bike Pottstown bike share program. 

Participants either take a guided tour of Morlatton Village's four 18th century buildings including the oldest home in Berks County or ride directly to Douglassville’s Ganshahawny Park for a lesson on water quality. 

Events with a water quality focus include more on-water time, with stops for water testing. 

All events include a picnic lunch(provided) and receive a brief introduction to kayaking from outfitter Doug Chapman of Take it Outdoors Adventures. 

Then, they paddle back to Pottstown via the Schuylkill River. Food, bikes, kayaks and all kayaking gear are provided. Must be 16 or older to participate.

The cost is $40 and each event is limited to 15 people.

The second Pedal and Paddle Tour takes place on Saturday, Aug. 12 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will include a tour of Morlatton Village.

The third takes place on Saturday, Sept. 9 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and again will focus on water quality.

Click on this link here to register for a Pottstown-based Pedal and Paddle Tour.

• Or maybe you would rather take a Pedal and Paddle Tour in Mont Clare along Lock 60 and the Schuylkill Canal that takes place on Saturday, Aug. 26 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m..

This will consist of a bike ride along the Schuylkill River Trail and a kayaking loop that begins on the river and returns via the canal. It will include a guided tour of the canal and Lock Tenders House.

Click on this link here to register for the Lock 60 Pedal and Paddle

There's no question that the Schuylkill River it itself a work of art.

• But the Schuylkill River Heritage Area loves to see it portrayed in art, which is why is sponsors an annual art show, 2017, Scenes of the Schuylkill Art Show.

Now in its 14th year, the show is hosted by the Schuylkill River Heritage Area every fall at the Montgomery County Community College West Campus gallery in Pottstown. This year's show runs

from Nov. 2-Dec. 17. 

There will be cash prizes from the Schuylkill River Heritage Area and gift certificates from North Penn Art.

Best of Show winner will receive $300 cash and a $400 gift certificate; 2nd Prize: $200 cash and a $250 gift certificate; 3rd Prize: $100 cash and a $100 gift certificate; Staff Choice $50 cash and a $50 gift certificate; two honorable mentions for paintings:$50 each and $50 gift certificates; two honorable mentions for photography: $50 each and $50 gift certificates. 

The Heritage Area will collect a 20 percent commission fee from all sales that result from the show and exhibit. If your work is  sold, the 20 percent commission fee is tax-deductible.

The 2017 show will be juried by Rachel McCay, assistant curator at Woodmere Museum of Art. 

Click here on this link for more information and a registration form.

Pedal and Paddle

First comes the pedal, which leaves Pottstown's
Riverfront park at 9 a.m...

The schedule for the increasingly popular "Pedal and Paddle" bike and kayak trips from Pottstown to Douglassville and back has been announced.

The first will be held Saturday, May 17 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Now, you can register on-line by clicking here.

Registration can occur up to one-week before the event, but space is limited to 15 people and these trips often fill up quickly. (You must be 16 or older to participate).

If the May 17 date does not work for you, the other dates are June 28, July 26, Aug. 23 and Sept. 13.

The trips include:

• 4.5 mile bike ride using Bike Pottstown's yellow cruisers along the Schuylkill River Trail from Pottstown's Riverfront Park to Historic Morlatton Village in Douglassville.
• Guided tour of Historic Morlatton Village.
• Boxed picnic lunch at Ganshahawny Park in Douglassville
• Brief introduction to kayaking



...then the visit to Morlattan Village....

• Paddle back to Riverfront Park

The cost is only $25 and includes the bikes, the kayaks, the kayaking gear and the lunch.

Each event begins with a 4.5 mile bike ride from Pottstown’s Riverfront Park to Historic Morlatton Village in Douglassville, using yellow cruisers from the Bike Pottstown bike share program. 

Participants are given a guided tour of Morlatton Village, a historic village consisting of four 18th century buildings that have been restored or are in the process of being restored, one of which is the oldest home in Berks County. 

...then lunch and kayak lessons at Ganshahawny
Park 

in Douglassville....

The village is located directly off the trail and is owned by the Historic Preservation Trust of Berks County, which provides a tour guide during the event. 

The buildings are only open to the public during special events. 

From there, participants take a short bike ride to Douglassville’s Ganshahawny Park where they eat a picnic lunch (provided) and receive a brief introduction to kayaking from outfitter Doug Chapman of Take it Outdoors Adventure Group. 

Then, they paddle back to Pottstown in kayaks along the Schuylkill River.

To begin, the group always meets at the Schuylkill River Heritage Area offices, located beside Riverfront Park, at 140 College Drive in Pottstown.

Registrants are asked to arrive a few minutes early, so they can sign a waiver and spend time in the

...and finally a leisurely paddle back to Pottstown.

River of Revolutions Interpretive Center, which is open during the event.

The tours are held rain or shine, however, if heavy rain and thunderstorms are forecast the event may be canceled. If it becomes necessary to cancel, participants will be notified by email by early Saturday morning and a full refund.

All equipment, including bikes, helmets, kayaks, paddles and PFDs are provided. However, it is recommended that you bring the following items: water bottle, sunscreen, insect repellent, hat, water shoes and bike helmet, if you prefer to use your own. 

For more information call the Schuylkill River Heritage Area at 484-945-0200, or email ckott@schuylkillriver.org.

Pedal to the Past

A series of trail tours along the Schuylkill River begins Sept. 22.

One of the hallmarks of the "Trail Town" strategy  outlined a few years ago at the Schuylkill River Heritage Area's Town Trail Conference held here in Pottstown, is that towns along the Schuylkill River Trail must link their local history to the trail

An effort to do just that gets started this fall, when the Schuylkill River Trail Bike Tour Series gets underway.

The first of the three-ride series will be held Sept. 22 and will be a round-trip ride from Pottstown to Birdsboro

Much of that portion of the trail is built upon the old Pennsylvania Railroad bed and the trip will include a presentation about the railroad  along with optional visits to three villages along the route.

The Mons Jones House in Morlatton Village.

Riders can take a nine-mile, 18-mile or 20-mile ride with options to take a guided walking tour of Birdsboro or historic Morlatton Village’s four 18th Century buildings in Douglassville. Brochures will be available for participants who also want to take a self-guided walking tour of Pottstown.

According to the Schuylkill River Hertiage Area, which is sponsoring the tour, this is the first ride in  a new multi-year series. "Each event will feature a unique combination of biking and history.

Those who register by Sept. 5 will get a free T-shirt and pay $25 per person

Tickets are $20 for heritage area members, and $15 children between the ages of 11 and 15. Children age 10 and younger are free.

A Pennsylvania Railroad engine in Pottstown.

Check-in begins at 7:30 a.m. Welcome and Pennsylvania Railroad presentation begin at 8:30 a.m. and the rides start at 9 a.m.

You can register by clicking here.

Refreshments will be provided in Pottstown and Birdsboro. Ride support and complimentary pre-ride bicycle safety checks provided by TriCounty Bicycles of Pottstown.


Helmets are required. Due to the width of the trail, no bicycle trailers are permitted.

According to a report in the Sanatoga Post, other tours in the works include:

• A 2013 “Cycles and Cemeteries Ride” that will take participants along the trail from Norristown to East Falls, with stops at two cemeteries where Civil War generals are buried; and
• A 2014 “National Parks of the Schuylkill River Heritage Area Ride,” which will feature a two-day ride taking cyclists to three national parks: Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site, Valley Forge National Historical Park and Independence National Historical Park.