Welcome to the Perkasie Historical Society

Perkasie Historical Society, founded in 1954, strives to help preserve the history of Perkasie Borough. Perkasie is located approximately 30 miles north of Philadelphia. Our volunteer organization relies on the support of the community as it cares for the four historic venues: the South Perkasie Covered Bridge, the Perkasie Carousel, Perkasie Museum and the Stout Family Cemetery.
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All are welcome to attend our carousel openings, meetings, and other community activities.

The Perkasie Historical Society is lead by a Volunteer Board providing oversight for our sites and functions.  

Perkasie Historical Society:  68 Years of Preserving Perkasie’s Past 1954 – 2022 Accomplishments

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Website and Photo Gallery sponsored 

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Perkasie Historical Society

​ Self-Guided Walking Tour

 Follow this link to navigate the historic sites of Perkasie "Then" and "Now" Perkasie Walking Tour or scan this QR code.​
This application is intended for personal use in navigating the historic sites of Perkasie.
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The Perkasie Historical Society enjoys and appreciates the collaborations that made the 2020-2021 walking tour refinements a reality.
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Thank you to those who sponsor our Self-Guided Walking Tour! 
Ragtops & Roadsters​
Market Crossing Condo Association
Chimayo Gallery
Perkasie Florist

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Perkasie Historical Society
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​Speaker Series

The Perkasie Historical Society has regular dinner meetings featuring a speaker or program. Meetings are held at 6:30 pm at the St. Stephen's UCC, 110 N. 6th Street, Perkasie.
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​Reservations for dinner are necessary. Reservation information
If the need arises, please be considerate and cancel your dinner reservation before 3 PM. 
​There are no Perkasie Historical Society meetings in January or February. We look forward to seeing you in March! 

 Feature Presentations

Perkasie Historical Society invites you our Zoom sessions.

 Zoom Technology Sponsored by Chris and Cathy Kleine.

Perkasie Historical Society

​Museum 

The Perkasie Historical Society Museum is located in the former Lehigh Valley Transit Trolley Station located at 513 W. Walnut Street in Perkasie.
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The museum is open to the public during Perkasie Borough events and on selected weekends May through December.  Hours can also be arranged by appointment.
Please contact the Perkasie Historical Society for special requests.   
   

                             Museum Displays ​
Perkasie Historical Society Museum is located at 513 W. Walnut St., Perkasie. 
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​Tuesday, March 7, 2023: “Mapping the One-Room Schoolhouses of Bucks County”
Local historian Chase Palmer will be speaking about the one-room schoolhouses of Bucks County.  Chase is a native of Bucks County from Richboro and currently resides in Solebury Township. His previous work includes research on the Arnold Brothers postcards. His current research includes documenting and mapping all 250+ one-room schoolhouses that were used Bucks County from the early 1800s, until school district consolidation in the early-mid 1900s. Chase will be discussing his research sources and photos discovered thus far.
 
Tuesday, April 4, 2023: "Perkasie Fire company #1, April 1st 1926: Not an April's Fool's Joke"  
 
Jeff Schoeller will be speaking about an incident from April 1, 1926, a dark day in the history of Perkasie Fire Company No.1.  Jeff is the owner of Schoeller’s Electrical and Refrigeration and a Life Member of Quakertown Fire Department. 
 
 
Tuesday, May 2, 2023: "Berkemeyer Postcards"
Heather Davis of the Sellersville Museum and Washington Crossing Card Collectors Club will be speaking about Berkemeyer postcards which were printed in Sellersville, Pa. 
 
 
Tuesday, June 6, 2023:  Membership picnic at the Carousel
 
 
​                                  In-Person Walking Tours:
April 22, 2023:  1:00 PM:  " Apples, Pants and Beer"
Donation $5.00 per person
Tour the Walnut Street neighborhood and learn how an agricultural area was transformed to making pants and now beer.

                              First Fridays
Visit us at Perkasie First Fridays held on the first Friday of the month. 
(April-Oct.) from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. First Fridays are held on Seventh and Market Streets in the Towne Center. 

 
2023 Carousel

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​The Perkasie Carousel is located in Menlo Park at West Park Avenue and 3rd Street, adjacent to the Menlo Aquatic Center.  ​   
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​ On days of operation, the carousel is open noon to 5 PM.​ 

2023 Carousel Schedule

Mother's Day: SUN. MAY 14 12:00 - 5:00
Memorial Day: Mon. MAY 29 1200 - 5:00
Father's Day:  SUN. JUN 18 12:00 - 5:00
Community Day: SUN. JUL 9 * 12:00 - 8:00
SUN. JUL 30 12:00 - 5:00
SUN. AUG 20 12:00 - 5:00
SUN. SEP 10 12:00 - 5:00
Perkasie Fall Fest: SUN. OCT 1 12:00 - 5:00
Perkasie Tree Lighting: SAT. DEC 2 12:00 - 5:00
*Community Day Rain date July 16 12-8 pm.

​Perkasie Historical Society Current Projects 

Perkasie Historical Society Museum, former Lehigh Valley Transit Trolley Station: Historic Designation 
June 7, 2022: The Pennsylvania State Historic Preservation Board has successfully reviewed the nomination of our Lehigh Valley Transit Trolley Station.
Our next step is the review by the National Park Service for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places.
Thanks to all who have worked since 1998 to garner this progression to the National Park Service review process.
The Lehigh Valley Transit Trolley station is home to our Perkasie Historical Society Museum and is located at 513 W. Walnut St., Perkasie, Pennsylvania.
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1939 Nativity Tableau:   
During the 2020 Christmas season, six metal, hand-painted pieces from Perkasie's 1939 Nativity Tableau were on display in South Perkasie. The Tableau was made in Allentown, PA and, when fully assembled, measures 25 feet in width and 15 feet high. This was the first time any parts of the tableau have been displayed in over 60 years. 

We incrementally assembled the next segment for 2021.  Casements have been moved and cleaned.  It is lit for the 2021 season!    Visit the Tableau at 704 E Walnut St., Perkasie, PA, during the holiday season.

To learn more about Perkasie's unique Tableau history, visit our 1939 Nativity Tableau entry on our "Memories of Perkasie" tab. 

1832 South Perkasie Covered Bridge Restoration
Perkasie Borough Council formed a covered bridge committee made up of four council historical committee members, the Parks and Recreation and Public Works Directors, two members of Perkasie Historical Society and one member of Bucks County Covered Bridge Society. Mayor Hollenbach is also an ad hoc committee member. This committee will oversee the bridge restoration, fundraising, and securing of available grants.

February 2022:  Perkasie Borough Information link: South Perkasie Covered Bridge (perkasieborough.org)

December 2021:  Next steps pending FEMA funding decision.
Previous Status of the Covered Bridge Updates 

2022 Fall Newsletter​
​2023 Spring Newsletter

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​"Historic preservation is present tense"

Come Visit!