Lower Merion Historical Society

Call Directions Website Contact the organization

Lower Merion Historical Society Preserving Our Past For The Future

The Lower Merion Historical Society holds an outstanding local and regional history collection at the beautifully restored 1812 Lower Merion Academy, the oldest school building in Montgomery County PA.

SUPPORTER SPOTLIGHT: Mavey BooksThe Lower Merion Historical Society is delighted to recognize Mavey Books for its genero...
10/02/2026

SUPPORTER SPOTLIGHT: Mavey Books

The Lower Merion Historical Society is delighted to recognize Mavey Books for its generous support of our Inaugural Gala & Silent Auction!

An independent bookstore in Ardmore, Mavey Books has created a welcoming neighborhood destination for readers, with thoughtfully selected books for adults and children and a particular emphasis on building community around a shared love of reading.

Independent bookstores do something special: they connect us not only with books, but with ideas, stories, authors, and one another. As an organization devoted to preserving and sharing the stories of Lower Merion, that’s a mission we can certainly appreciate!

We’re especially grateful to have the support of another local organization investing its time and resources right here in our community.

Thank you, Mavey Books, for supporting the Lower Merion Historical Society—and for helping keep our community reading, learning, and sharing stories!

Grotto at McAuley Convent, Merion in a 1917 postcard and today.
10/02/2026

Grotto at McAuley Convent, Merion in a 1917 postcard and today.

The “Sport of Kings”, horse racing, was, for a time, very popular in Lower Merion. Belmont Driving Park, a harness tr...
10/01/2026

The “Sport of Kings”, horse racing, was, for a time, very popular in Lower Merion.

Belmont Driving Park, a harness track, opened in time for the opening of the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, and visitors could take the train to Elm Station (now Narberth) to bet on the ponies.

The racetrack was located on 72 acres along Meeting House Lane in Merion and had a mile-long oval track, along with an additional half-mile track and a clubhouse.

Eventually, interest in trotters and pacers declined, and in 1924, the land was sold to developers to create today’s Merion Park. The curve of the far end of today’s General Wayne Playground is an echo of the former track.

org

SUPPORTER SPOTLIGHT: Kendra ScottThe Lower Merion Historical Society is delighted to recognize Kendra Scott for its gene...
10/01/2026

SUPPORTER SPOTLIGHT: Kendra Scott

The Lower Merion Historical Society is delighted to recognize Kendra Scott for its generous support of our Inaugural Gala & Silent Auction!

Since its founding in 2002, Kendra Scott has grown from a small jewelry business into a nationally recognized brand—but giving back has remained central to its mission. Through initiatives like Kendra Gives Back, its stores partner with local nonprofits and causes to turn shopping into an opportunity to support their communities.

That commitment to local organizations makes their support of LMHS especially meaningful to us. We’re grateful to have businesses in our community that recognize the importance of investing in the organizations doing work close to home.

Thank you, Kendra Scott, for supporting the Lower Merion Historical Society and helping us preserve and share our community’s history!

SUPPORTER SPOTLIGHT: Philadelphia UnionThe Lower Merion Historical Society is thrilled to recognize the Philadelphia Uni...
09/30/2026

SUPPORTER SPOTLIGHT: Philadelphia Union

The Lower Merion Historical Society is thrilled to recognize the Philadelphia Union for its generous support of our Inaugural Gala & Silent Auction!

Since taking the field in 2010, the Union has become an important part of Philadelphia’s sports community—but we have to admit, as a historical society, we’re especially fond of the history woven throughout the club’s identity. The Union name recalls the original thirteen colonies, while its crest incorporates thirteen stars, Philadelphia symbolism, and the rattlesnake made famous by Benjamin Franklin’s Join, or Die cartoon.

The Union also invests in the community beyond the pitch, with outreach ranging from youth programs and education to volunteerism and initiatives serving its neighbors in Chester.

Thank you, Philadelphia Union, for supporting the Lower Merion Historical Society—and for proving that Philadelphia history and Philadelphia sports make a pretty great team.

Toll houses were established along Lower Merion’s public roads in 1791. Both Lancaster Avenue and Montgomery Avenue had ...
09/30/2026

Toll houses were established along Lower Merion’s public roads in 1791. Both Lancaster Avenue and Montgomery Avenue had their own toll houses.

Eventually, other means of transportation, such as railroads, took away business, and all the toll houses were removed. One in Narberth, however, was moved a short distance in 1918, and enjoys a second life as a private home.

org

Join local historian Jim Mundy on October 11 for a fall Heritage Walk on the Cynwyd Heritage Trail and uncover the train...
09/29/2026

Join local historian Jim Mundy on October 11 for a fall Heritage Walk on the Cynwyd Heritage Trail and uncover the trains, people, and places that shaped our community.

A 60-year Bala Cynwyd resident and former president of Friends of the Cynwyd Heritage Trail, Jim will bring the Trail’s history to life.

Space is limited for this free event!

More details and registration:
https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/EdBJ7o5BWHUms5jyIoL18w

SUPPORTER SPOTLIGHT: Fearless RestaurantsThe Lower Merion Historical Society is delighted to recognize Fearless Restaura...
09/29/2026

SUPPORTER SPOTLIGHT: Fearless Restaurants

The Lower Merion Historical Society is delighted to recognize Fearless Restaurants for its generous support of our Inaugural Gala & Silent Auction!

Led by restaurateur Marty Grims and his daughter Sydney, Fearless Restaurants has deep roots in the Main Line and greater Philadelphia dining scene. Today, the family of restaurants includes more than a dozen distinctive destinations, including local favorites White Dog Cafe, Autograph Brasserie, Rosalie, and Triple Crown in Radnor, as well as Philadelphia’s iconic Moshulu.

Just as importantly, Fearless believes in supporting the neighborhoods its restaurants call home, regularly contributing gift certificates to local nonprofits and community causes. We’re very grateful that LMHS is among the organizations to benefit from that generosity.

Thank you, Fearless Restaurants, for supporting the Lower Merion Historical Society—and for helping make our region such a wonderful place to gather, celebrate, and dine!

Soon downtown Ardmore will have new signs featuring historical elements, such as the Autocar plant and Suburban Square. ...
09/28/2026

Soon downtown Ardmore will have new signs featuring historical elements, such as the Autocar plant and Suburban Square. The Historical Society is pleased to have been part of this project.

Address

Lower Merion Academy, 506 Bryn Mawr Avenue
Bala Cynwyd, PA
19004

Opening Hours

7pm - 9pm

Telephone

+16106643216

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Lower Merion Historical Society posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Lower Merion Historical Society:

Shortcuts

Share