W.S. Hancock Society

Take a day off from the 21^st century and enter into a bygone time when folks of varying cultures and religions assembled in our region to establish the foundation of our rich county history.

Realize the treasures in your own backyard from our local historical organizations, traipse through a trade village of the past, step over the threshold and into the shrine of the Lutheran Church and listen to respected speakers as we offer you a full-day and a rare chance to dwell in the history of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania

This year’s fair will occur at Augustus Lutheran Church,

717 West Main St. Trappe, PA on

Saturday, September 22, 2012 beginning at 9 am until 5 pm.

Joining us in our county celebration are:

W.S. Hancock Society

Lansdale Historical Society

Upper Merion Historical Society

The Speaker’s House

Trappe Historical Society

Augustus Lutheran Church

Pottstown Historical Society

East Norriton Historical Advisory Commission

Fort Washington Historical Society

Farm Park Preservation Society

Lower Merion Historical Society

Parkhouse

Spring-Ford Historical Society

Jack Coll

Conshohocken Historical Society

Wissahickon Watershed

St. James Episcopal Church

DAR (Towamencin Chapter)

Limerick Historical Society

Peter Wenz Farmstead

Lower Salford Historical Society

Heckler Plains Farmstead

Skippack Historical Society

Kirk and Nice Funeral Home

Whitpain Historical Society

Boehm’s Church (Blue Bell)

Wissahickon Valley Historical Society

Elmwood Park Zoo (11:00 am to 1 pm only)

Montgomery Township Historical Society

Worcester Historical Society

Schwenkfelder Library and Heritage Center

Whitpain Historical Society

History overflows with those who gave their time, talents and, even their lifeblood, to further the avenues of liberty and freedom. As we begin to celebrate the sesquicentennial of the American Civil War, the W.S. Hancock Society honors ALL those who have served our nation beginning at 11:00 am at the Hancock equestrian statue, East Cemetery Hill, Gettysburg, PA. Narrative by Bruce Stocking, Historian, W.S. Hancock Society. Wreath laying and music.

 At 3 pm on the same day, join us at the Hancock headquarters cannon on Pleasonton Ave. across from the Pennsylvania monument as we honor Winfield Scott Hancock and his contribution to the 1863 Gettysburg campaign.

During  the 1820’s,  taverns & inns served as rest stops for those traveling the roads in Montgomery County as well as gathering places for the residents of Lower Salford Township to celebrate the year’s harvest and talk about the news of the day. This year the farmstead will be transformed into a tavern of the Federal period in American history.

Listen to the life tales of folks in the 1820’s who farm the land or just happen to be passing through the region in their travels. Join in the spirit of storytelling and share a tale about your life too!

Saturday, October 27, 2012 – We bet your history teacher never taught you about this!!, ‘cause our subject is NOT for the faint-of -heart! As members of the W.S. Hancock Society guide you through the ancient burial grounds of Augustus Lutheran Church, we have stories galore about headstone symbolism, funeral customs of the past and bits and pieces about the folks who once lived in our town but have met their final rest at Augustus. Gain entrance into the old church where Reverend Heinrich Muhlenberg  had charge of the congregation at a time prior to the American Revolution. Daylight tour at 12 noon, and evening tours begin at 5:30 pm and leave every half-hour until 8:00 pm.  Admission is $6.00 for adults, $4.00 for seniors/students. We ask you to wear sturdy, comfortable walking shoes and bring a flashlight. All tours leave from the new church where you can wait in comfort for your tour to begin while you take in some of our peculiar displays or have a snack. For more information call 610-630-0912

Monday, May 30, 2011 – Come to Montgomery Cemetery for our annual Decoration Day service and join us in celebrating the beginning of the Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War! At 11 am, join members of the 53rd Pennsylvania Volunteers as they guide you to some of the lesser known veteran’s resting places at Montgomery Cemetery. 12 pm is graveside at the mausoleum of Major General Winfield Hancock our topic will be “1861 – The Constitution Threatened” by society historian, Bruce Stocking. This year we are pleased to have with us the Norristown Chorale with songs from the era. For more information please stopover at our website for directions to the cemetery or call 610-630-0912