The exhibits listed below are being made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services--Grant IGSM-257792-OMS-25. The views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this exhibitions and programs do not necessarily represent those of the Institute of Museum and Library Services or the U.S. Government. For more information about the granting agency, visit www.imls.gov.

Exhibits

These Truths are Not Self-evident: Stories of the Revolution in the Perkiomen Region

April 17, 2026–March 27, 2027

The American Revolutionary era was a time of tremendous upheaval, including in central and western Montgomery County, PA, and this evidence survives in stories. Some stories are known facts, and some might be anecdotal. This exhibit will use numerous stories that have been passed down to us as the basis for a “graphic novel.” Historical and anecdotal evidence will be presented to help exhibit visitors weigh fact and fiction, with an interactive device to help them determine their own answers. Additional funding from The Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation.

Revolutionary Fraktur

June 12, 2026–April 25, 2027

Drawing upon our deep and colorful collection of fraktur, we will exhibit a selection of about 40 fraktur produced during the American Revolutionary period, 1763–1787.

Southeastern Pennsylvania Longrifles - The Early Years

July 18, 2026–October 18, 2026

Longrifles were finely crafted works of art that developed from the European tradition and had beautiful relief and incised carving. On loan from collectors, the long-rifles will showcase the workmanship and origins of these firearms. Produced in collaboration with the Kentucky Rifle Foundation.

Who Lived in the Perkiomen Region in the 1700s?

Traveling exhibit February 2026–April 2027

In preparation for 2026, we commissioned a demographic study to learn who lived in the Perkiomen Region from roughly 1735 to 1835 (from the arrival of Pennsylvania Germans to the final period of the Gradual Abolition Act). General knowledge states that the region was primarily settled by white Pennsylvania Germans, but questions arise as to whether any Africans were here too. This exhibit will share the answers we have uncovered and the fascinating research methodologies that were used and will be offered to community organizations and schools to have on display. Research was supported by the Philadelphia Funder Collocative for the Semiquincentennial

This exhibit can viewed within schools and by the public at:

• Lower Salford Township Building April 20 through Mary 20

• Historical Society of Montgomery County May 21 through June 29

• Here at the Heritage Center July1 through 5

• Upper Hanover Township Building July 8 thought August 5

• The Goschenhoppen Festival August 7 & 8

• Upper Salford Park October 10 & 11

• Pennsburg Borough Hall October 12 through November 20

• Lower Frederick Township Building November 20 though December 18

• Upper Perkiomen Valley Library February 1 though February 28

Check back as we update this schedule.

Programs

Programs for all ages are in development. This calendar will be updated periodically. Here are the programs next up:

Independence Day Weekend

View photos and a video of the reading of the Declaration of Independence.

Brown Bag Lecture: Black Powder Industry in the Swamp (Unami) Creek Valley

July 8, 2026

Ed Johnson, retired teacher and president of the Goschenhoppen Historians, will share the history of the black powder industry in the Swamp (now called Unami) Creek Valley. This free noontime program explores how that area was the center of manufacturing in Montgomery County for this vital—and dangerous—commodity two hundred years ago. The program has free admission as one of the Heritage Center’s Semiquincentennial program, made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Register to ensure a seat at schwenkfelder.org/calendar and click on date or call 215-679-3103. The program is available in-person or via a Zoom link.

Brown Bag Lecture: Live Like the Founding Fathers

August 12, 2026

How many of us grew up in homes with furniture and home accessories sold as “Colonial” or “Early American?” Join us for a trip down memory lane with Heritage Center curator Candace Perry as she explores the very popular 20th century Early American home decoration trends with a look at the good, the questionable, and the kitsch from the U. S. Centennial onward. The program has free admission as one of the Heritage Center’s Semiquincentennial program, made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Register to ensure a seat at schwenkfelder.org/calendar and click on date or call 215-679-3103. The program is available in-person or via a Zoom link.

Longrifle Symposium (waiting list only)

August 22, 2026

Day of lectures by noted scholars and collectors. Click here to register for either in-person or Zoom attendance.

Wm. Antes Workshop

August 23, 2026 at 1:30pm

This workshop with William Paton and Randy Steffy explores the process of building and documenting early Kentucky rifles, using the Wm. Antes Swivel breech rifle as an example. Workshop is free but registration is required. Click here to register.