Committees

Tours

 

Programs

The Association meets on the fourth Tuesday of the months of January - May and September - November at 7:30pm. Programs are held in the Upper Moreland Township Building Council Room, located at 117 Park Avenue in Willow Grove. Public programs of UMHA are free and open to the public.

The programs feature speakers on a variety of historical and not-so historical topics followed by refreshments. The agenda generally includes time for attendees to question our experts on matters of local history and also provides an opportunity for attendees to bring artifacts and documents to show to the audience.

Recommendations for topics for future programs are always welcome and encouraged.

2010 Programs

January 26

Helen's Historical Hat Rack

Guest Speaker: Helen Okenquist, who will present a trip through history guided by her collection of hats, some of which are 100 years old. Includes stories of Bryn Athyn.

February 23

Hannah and William Penn

Guest Speaker: Elaine Peden, noted expert on William Penn who spearheaded the campaign to achieve Honorary US Citizenship for the Penns will share her research into Pennsylvania's first "power couple."
March 23

Songs and Stories of St. Patrick's Day

Guest Speaker: Matthew Dodd, a musician and historian who will perform songs and tell stories about the history of St. Patrick's Day.

April 27

12th Annual UMHA Dinner at Williamson's Restaurant

Guest Speakers: Hank and Katherine Gerstle present an evening with a revolutionary war rifleman and a camp follower.

Tickets are $27 per person. Reservations MUST be in by April 21. Forms are here.

May 1

Boileau Festival Day at the Boileau Farmstead, Byberry and Orangemans Roads, U.M.

Coordinator: Nick Scull

May 15

Departing 9:30am from the Library

Bus Trip to the Hagley Museum

Located along the Brandywine River, in Wilmington, DE, the Hagley is the site of the gunpowder works founded by E. I. duPont.

Tickets are $20. Reservations must be made by May 7. Forms are here and they also available through Parks & Recreation.

May 25

Chocolate: A History and Tasting

Guest Speaker: Linda Anders, chocolate aficionado, will detail the history of everyone's favorite treat, and will have samples for the audience.
September 28

Letters from the Heart: A Civil War Story

Guest Speaker: Melissa Yiaski of Bringing History to Life will present the story of the Civil War from both the battlefield and the home front through letters written by soldiers and those left behind when the fighting started.

October 26

The Great Train Wreck of 1856: the Wreck of the Shakamaxon

Guest Speaker: George Ditter, local attorney and historian, will present the fateful events of July 17, 1856 and how they helped to change the US rail industry forever.
November 23

And the Legends Continue – More Legends and Myths of Christmas from Around the World

Guest Speaker: Mrs. Judy Parrish, historian and retired educator, follows up on her 2007 presentation with even more about why we celebrate Christmas the way we do today.