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. 
  
Tuesday, June 6, 2023:  Membership picnic at the Carousel

​There are no Perkasie Historical Society Membership/Speaker Series meetings in July or August.  Enjoy your summer!

​We look forward to seeing you in September! 

Tuesday, September 5, 2023 6:30 PM: "Traveling on the Perkiomen Railroad" presented by Steve Mallon, president of the Perkiomen Railroad Historical Society.
 
In the heyday of railroad travel, the Perkiomen Railroad was the connector between Philadelphia and Emmaus. With the train line passing through Schwenksville, the borough grew into a vibrant community.  Samuel Pennypacker used the train line to commute into Philadelphia as Judge of the Court of Common Pleas and then when he became the Governor of Pennsylvania, he commuted on this rail line into Philadelphia and transferred to rail service to Harrisburg. 
 

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​ Presentations

December 9, 2023:  TBD  Save the Date!

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 4-8 PM unless otherwise noted. 

June 10-11 and July 8, 2023:  Perkasie Dairies Did you know Perkasie had a large number of home bottling and distribution diaries?  The display will feature artifacts and memorabilia from the Perkasie Dairies.

August 19, 2023: Open 4PM- 8 PM for "Under the Stars Car Show" and Walnut Street's "Cars from Afar" with a preview of our "The Missing Block"

October 1: Open for Perkasie Fall Fest with "The Missing Block" display,  Like many cities and towns, Perkasie experienced it's 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. 

December 2:  Open for Perkasie Tree Lighting with "Christmas in Perkasie" display
 
​                                  In-Person Walking Tours: TBD
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                              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.  ​   Fifty cents a ride!
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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 
​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.

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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2022 Fall Newsletter​
​2023 Spring Newsletter

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​"Historic preservation is present tense"

Come Visit!