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History

Montgomery County was created on September 10, 1784 from a section of Philadelphia County, naming Norristown its county seat. While the origins of the county name remain uncertain, speculation suggests it may have been named in honor of Richard Montgomery, an American Revolutionary War general, or for the Welsh county of Montgomeryshire.

This region played a significant role in United States history and was the birthplace of General Winfield S. Hancock, General John F. Hartranft, General Henry “Hap” Arnold and a wealth of soldiers who took part in the country’s wars. In addition, abolitionist Lucretia Mott, inventors David Rittenhouse and Thaddeus Lowe and artists Thomas Hovenden, Russell and Xanthus Smith, Charles Pearson and Arthur Meltzer made their home in Montgomery County. William Penn, the original proprietor of the future state of Pennsylvania, has significant ties into Montgomery County history as well. Springfield Township was a gift to his first wife. Known as “Gulielma Marie Penn’s Manor of Springfield,” the town was initially designated on the map in 1681.

The area’s rich legacy, so evident through Eastern Montgomery County’s beautiful parks, gardens and historic sites, clearly exemplifies its strong tie to its heritage.

Bryn Athyn Cathedral A notable place of worship in the community is the Bryn Athyn Cathedral. With about 3,000 worshippers comprising this congregation, the Roman and Gothic-design cathedral is the crowning jewel of the Church of the New Jerusalem, a Christian faith that focuses on the worship of Jesus Christ as revealed in the Old and New Testaments of the Bible as well as through the writings of Emanuel Swedenborg. Thousands of visitors from around the world tour the more than 80-year-old structure and its beautifully landscaped surroundings annually. Guides are available for individual, group and specialty tours, with educational programs for children and community outreach programs at hand as well.

Cairnwood Mansion Founder of Pittsburgh Plate Glass, John Pitcairn purchased the land that is now Bryn Athyn in the late 1800s. Cairnwood was built for John’s wife, Gertrude, and their four children and also served as the center for New Church life. Charles Eliot drew up the plans for Cairnwood in 1893, with prominent architects Carrere and Hastings designing the home. The home was finished in 1895 and is now owned by the Academy of the New Church.

Glencairn Museum Built in the Romanesque-style between 1928 and 1939, the building was originally the home of Raymond and Mildred Pitcairn. Upon Mildred’s death in 1979, Glencairn was given to the Academy of the New Church, who preserved the main floor and transformed the upper floors into museum galleries. The mission of the museum is to educate visitors about the history of religion through its extensive collection of art and artifacts representing an array of cultures, time periods and religions ranging from ancient Egypt, ancient Greek and Roman to medieval Christian, Islamic, Asian and Native American. The Glencairn Museum is open regularly for guided tours and hosts school programs from September through May. In addition, its relationship with Bryn Athyn College of the New Church allows for a number of college courses and internships.

The Highlands Mansion Lived in between 1796 and 1970, The Highlands has seen many different residents, the first being Anthony Morris and his family. The 44-acre historic site is complete with a late-18th Century Georgian-style mansion and a gorgeous two-acre garden. The Highlands Historical Society was formed in 1975 in order to conserve, recondition and interpret the historical estate and its alluring grounds from its establishment in the late 1700s to the present-day. Tours are available during the week at 1:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. The Highlands is also home to many educational programs and the Highlands Craft Show, which is coming into its 27th year in 2008.

Jenkintown Library Established in 1803, the Jenkintown Library, originally named the Abington Library Society, is the third oldest library in the county. The library’s building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. Patrons passing through the front section of the building will find themselves in the original Lyceum Building, which was constructed in 1839. The library was enlarged in 1913, with a community room built in 1983. A few of the library’s original books are still part of its current 42,000-item collection. The library recently underwent a major renovation to its first floor building, making the library more open and accessible to patrons.

Meadowbrook Farm Designed by J. Liddon Pennock, Jr., a prominent name in floral and horticultural design, the 25-acre Meadowbrook Farm is comprised of 18 acres of lightly-managed second growth woods and seven acres encompassing Pennock’s private home, display gardens and a garden center. After Pennock’s death in July of 2003, Meadowbrook Farm became a not-for-profit subsidiary of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. Tours are available by appointment.

Old York Road Historical Society Archive Founded in 1936, the Old York Road Historical Society has amassed a fine collection of historical materials featuring the history of the communities along Old York Road, particularly those located in Eastern Montgomery County. The archive, located in the lower level of the Jenkintown Library, contains items from the 17th Century to the present and is open to both members and the general public free of charge.

Richard Wall House Museum Nestled in Elkins Park, this historical home was built by one of Cheltenham Township’s first founders, Richard Wall, in 1682. Currently overseen by the Cheltenham Township Historical Commission, the house features four floors of exhibits, along with a springhouse and a carriage house. Patrons can visit every Sunday between 1:00 and 4:00 p.m., or by appointment, to view such displays as a Roaring ‘20s room, a colonial bedroom, an antique dollhouse that stands five feet tall and a substantial collection of 18th to 19th Century tools. The Richard Wall House Museum is listed on both the State and National Register of Historical Places and once was the oldest house in the state to have continuous residence.