Pennypacker Mills

06/10/2026

On June 10, 1867, Samuel Pennypacker received an invitation from D.F. Moore to attend a Moonlight Hop scheduled for June 13, 1867. The invitation extended a warm welcome, stating: “Please find an invitation to a ‘moonlight hop’ whereat we shall be much pleased to meet you. ‘Moore Hall,’ you are probably aware, is the property of Mr. Jeffery John, situated near Pickering Bridge. If you have any friends desirous of attending, we shall also gladly welcome them. Very Truly Yours, D.F. Moore.” During the mid-to-late 19th century, Moonlight Hops were popular social gatherings for people of all ages often from upper and middle classes that featured live music, socializing, and dancing under the stars or open air pavilions on warm, moonlit summer nights—commonly referred to as “hops.” In 1883, “Moore Hall” was purchased by Samuel's mother, Anna Maria. For many years thereafter, Samuel and his family spent their summers at this charming location.

06/09/2026

Ready for some old‑school fun? Join us at Pennypacker Mills on June 27th for Victorian Game Day. Test your croquet skills, toss a game of graces, or race your friends with hoop & stick. Kids, parents, grandparents—everyone can jump in! Make memories that feel straight out of history.
📍 Pennypacker Mills, 5 Haldeman Road, Schwenksville, PA 19473
📅 Saturday, June 27th | 12pm-3pm
❗ FREE

06/05/2026

Calling all historic baseball fans! Join us at Pennypacker Mills on Saturday, June 27th from 12pm-3pm for a free Victorian Game Day and Vintage Baseball event! The Athletic Base Ball Club of Philadelphia will take the field for a doubleheader, played according to the 1860s rules using historically accurate uniforms and equipment. This authentic form of early “base ball” highlights the origins of America’s pastime and provides a lively and educational experience for all!

📍Pennypacker Mills, 5 Haldeman Road, Schwenksville
📅Saturday, June 27th, drop in anytime from 12pm-3pm
❗FREE event!

06/03/2026

Meet Phillis Wheatley on the porch of Pennypacker Mills! Join us Saturday, June 20 at 4 PM for a free historical performance by Dr. Daisy Century. Powerful first-person storytelling will bring to life the remarkable story of the first published African American poet.

Bring a blanket or chair and enjoy this outdoor Porch Performance, sponsored by the Friends of Pennypacker Mills.

Suggested donation: $2 per person.

06/01/2026

On June 1, 1872, the U.S. Congress passed the Organizing Act, which established the Centennial Board of Finance to raise funds for the U.S. Centennial International Exhibition of 1876 in Philadelphia. The Board was tasked with selling stock to fund the fair, setting a firm deadline of June 1, 1875, to process all stock subscription requests. One notable purchase was by Samuel Pennypacker's grandfather Joseph R. Whitaker, who bought 10 shares at $10 each, receiving a certificate adorned with engravings of American history. This effort successfully raised the necessary $10 million to finance the grand event, which opened in Fairmount Park on May 10, 1876. Celebrating the nation's centennial, the exposition featured technological marvels like Alexander Graham Bell's telephone and Thomas Edison's telegraph system, along with cultural exhibits such as Heinz ketchup and the Statue of Liberty's torch. Attracting nearly 10 million visitors, this world's fair highlighted America's innovations and cultural prowess, leaving a lasting legacy.

05/31/2026

Visit Pennypacker Mills as part of the Montco Trail Challenge!

To celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, four Montgomery County Historical Sites are joining the 2026 !

🇺🇸 Pennypacker Mills
🇺🇸 Pottsgrove Manor
🇺🇸 Peter Wentz Farmstead
🇺🇸 John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove

Learn more about Montgomery County’s rich history and keep an eye out for the trail symbol.

Visit: montgomerycountypa.gov/TrailChallenge

05/30/2026

Drop in to Pennypacker Mills on Saturday, June 27th from 12pm-3pm for a FREE afternoon of 19th-century fun! Try your hand at a variety of Victorian-era activities, including classic lawn games such as croquet, graces, ring toss, and more.
Adding to the excitement, the Athletic Base Ball Club of Philadelphia will take the field for a doubleheader, played according to the 1860s rules, including historically accurate uniforms and equipment. Fun for the whole family!

05/30/2026

This day in Pennypacker Family history:

On May 30, 1893, Pennsylvania Governor Robert E. Pattison signed legislation making Valley Forge Pennsylvania’s first State Park, and Samuel Pennypacker was appointed as a commissioner two years later in 1895. After increased preservation work by Isaac Anderson Pennypacker, the park came to fruition nearly 40 years after his death.

Isaac Rusling Pennypacker, a son of Dr. Isaac A. and Anna Maria W. Pennypacker, attended the Hill School and was a well-known author and newspaper editor. Isaac R. Pennypacker had a seat on the Valley Forge Park Commission for many years and served as the park's president from 1927-1932. Isaac had the honor of showing President Herbert Hoover around Valley Forge State Park for Memorial Day: May 30, 1931.

Want to learn more? Come to Pennypacker Mills’ new exhibit, Preserving Valley Forge: A Family Affair available on the second floor gallery of the mansion on all guided tours. You can also view this exhibit online at https://sites.google.com/view/ppmvirtualexhibitions/ppm-virtual-exhibitions

05/30/2026

Join us for the first of our Porch Performances on Saturday, June 20, 2026 at 4pm on the mansion porch. Learn about the life and work of Phillis Wheatley, an enslaved woman who became the first published African American poet.
Bring a chair or blanket for lawn seating at this outdoor performance for all ages! This event is sponsored by the Friends of Pennypacker Mills.