The Old York Road Historical Society is a non-profit organization headquartered in Jenkintown PA. They specialize in collecting and preserving the history of the area between Philadelphia and New Hope, Pennsylvania. They also conduct research and publish on local and regional topics.
They have a large collection of scrapbooks (mostly in bound and photocopy format) from 1890 to 2000, which cover the eastern half of Montgomery County. This collection is particularly rich in photographs and documentation of local events and people.
There are also several other types of documents in the collection, including maps, ephemera, and photographs. A few of these materials have subject and/or name indexes.
This collection includes information about the towns of Abington, Cheltenham, Lower Moreland and Upper Moreland, as well as the boroughs of Bryn Athyn, Hatboro, Jenkintown and Rockledge.
The Society’s collections also include a wealth of printed material, such as books, magazines and newspapers. Some of this material is available online, but there are also numerous copies in the reading room for researchers to use.
Their publications include a series of historical guides and books that are available for purchase. They also provide a monthly newsletter, which is mailed to their members.
They also hold a lecture series, which is open to the public and takes place at their meetinghouse in Alverthorpe Manor. Some of the lectures are presented by guest speakers and others are based on the Society’s collection.
These lectures are offered on Wednesdays at 7:30pm. Refreshments are served after the presentations.
Another of their programs, called the Old York Road Traveler’s Tour, is held in spring and summer. These are designed to educate the public about the history of the area.
The tour includes several of the local museums and monuments that are associated with the Old York Road. It is a great way to learn about the area while experiencing it first hand!
For the more active, the Society also holds a number of outdoor recreation opportunities. Some of these activities include horseback riding, canoeing, and hiking.
They also have an outdoor play area, which is open to children from ages 4 to 6. The playground is located near the entrance of Alverthorpe Manor.
This location also hosts the Society’s Annual Meeting, which is held on the third Thursday in September every year. It is a fun event that features music, food and raffles!
The Old York Road Historical Society is a great community resource that is dedicated to promoting the area’s rich history. They are located in a quaint area with access to some of the best shopping and dining.
