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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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. 

Tuesday, October 3, 2023: "Reflections of Delbar: Looking Back at 100 Years of History" presented by Alan Weisberg and Edward Donahue. 
This presentation summarizes the history of Delbar from early days in Philadelphia, the company's settlement in Perkasie, its growth and expansion to Telford, Tennessee, and Mexico. Recently, the Perkasie property has undergone adaptive reuse and become The Delbar apartments. 

Tuesday, November 7, 2023: "Christmas in Perkasie" presented by Rick Doll. This presentation looks back at some of Perkasie's Christmas traditions. 

Tuesday, December 5, 2023: "Pennridge High School Chamber Choir " Performance. ​The Pennridge High School Chamber Choir is an auditioned ensemble of students who perform collegiate-level repertoire throughout the school and community. With their music-making, they hope to bring artistry, musicianship, and joy to all of those who listen or see them perform!


There are no Perkasie Historical Society meetings in January or February. 

 Feature Presentations

December 9, 2023:  Christmas House Tour 3-8 PM  Save the Date!
Meet at the Perkasie Historical Society Museum 

Get into the holiday spirit with an afternoon spent touring a variety of beautiful homes and find inspiration for your holiday celebrations, while experiencing the rich architectural heritage of Perkasie.

The tour is self-guided, and attendees have the option of driving to the homes or riding one of our "Special Event" trolleys sponsored by the Cronmiller Team of Keller Williams Real Estate and The Perk. 

Reservations will be required and will be offered online beginning in November.

Tour participants will be welcomed at the Perkasie Historical Society Museum and will receive a tour booklet and wristband. 

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. Museum is Open Noon to 4 PM unless otherwise noted. 
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October 1: Open for Perkasie Fall Fest with "The Missing Block" display,  Like many cities and towns, Perkasie experienced its own "Urban Renewal." The display will feature images, artifacts and memorabilia from Perkasie's "Missing Block," now the site of Shelly's " Design Center.

November 11-12:  "Trains and Trolleys" The display will feature images, artifacts and memorabilia from Perkasie's Trains and Trolley's. There will be an operating model railroad display.

December 2:  Open for Perkasie Tree Lighting with "Christmas in Perkasie" display. This display features photographs and artifacts from Perkasie's Community Christmas Celebrations along with an operating model railroad display.  The "Conductor" will be reading the "Polar Express."  Please check our website for specific updates.  (https://www.perkasiehistory.org/)
 
​                                  In-Person Walking Tours
Saturday, October 28 1:00 PM: “Mausoleum and More: Perkasie Historical Society's Perkasie Mausoleum Tour" Take the tour of the mausoleum learn about the history of the mausoleum building and the some of those entered. Meet at the Museum. 513 West Walnut Street.  Suggested donation: $5.00

Saturday, October 28, 2022 6:00 PM: “Unusual Occurrences Along the Railroad" The tour will visit locations of notable events that occurred in the area of the railroad tracks in Perkasie.   This is an evening "Lantern Light" Tour
​Suggested donation: $5.00

                              First Fridays
Visit us at Perkasie First Fridays held on the first Friday of the month. 
(April-Sept.) 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.  ​   Fifty cents a ride!
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​ On days of operation, the carousel is open noon to 5 PM.​ 

2023 Carousel Schedule

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

​Perkasie Historical Society Current Projects 

1759 Richard Penn Land Deed

• The museum is excited to share the acquisition of a 1759 Richard Penn Land Deed for a portion of what was known as the Manor of Perkasie. 
• The society will be conserving and preparing the deed for preservation and presentation.
•  Thank you to the Pezzanite Family Trust and the Perkasie Lions Club for making it possible for the Perkasie Historical Society to acquire, conserve and preserve the 1759 Penn Land Deed encompassing a portion of the Manor of Perkasie.​

Ray Conville-Perkasie Lions Club, Matt Landis- Perkasie Lions Club, Lee Metzger, President Perkasie Historical Society, Rick Doll and Matt Lynch Perkasie Historical Society Museum co-curators.

Perkasie Historical Society Museum, former Lehigh Valley Transit Trolley Station: Historic Designation 
​March 14, 2023 The Perkasie Historical Society is excited to share the news!!
The National Park Service approved the nomination of our Lehigh Valley Transit Trolley Station now the Perkasie Historical Society Museum, 513 W. Walnut St, Perkasie, for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places.
Thanks to a variety of efforts from everyone involved including our team of rail experts, the building's significance is now recognized on the National level.
June 7, 2022: The Pennsylvania State Historic Preservation Board has successfully reviewed the nomination of our Lehigh Valley Transit Trolley Station.
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 and 2022.  Casements have been moved and cleaned.  It is lit for the 2022 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
2019 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.

August 4,2023:  Borough Requests for Proposals (RFP) were communicated. 
April 2023:  Perkasie Borough Press Release
February 2022:  Perkasie Borough Information link: South Perkasie Covered Bridge (perkasieborough.org)
Previous Status of the Covered Bridge Updates 

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​2023 Fall Newsletter

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​"Historic preservation is present tense"

Come Visit!