At the Pennypacker Mills Historic Site, history lives through fascinating guided tours and year-round family-friendly events, exhibits and workshops, and a vast archive available for research. All are FREE or very low-cost. The Friends of Pennypacker Mills have funded the acquisition of a number of artifacts displayed or housed at the site.
In 2017, the Friends of Pennypacker Mills concluded a two-year funding campaign, raising nearly $6,000 for the installation of 5 interpretive signs highlighting historically important aspects of the Pennypacker Mills Historic Site.
History comes to life during the Pennypacker Mills Historic Site’s annual Revolutionary War Event, a FREE event held in May. Each year, the Friends of Pennypacker Mills acquires sponsors to fund the costs of the fife and drum corps, artillery demonstrations, musicians, speakers, brewery demonstration, ice, water, and advertising for this event, which this year amount to $3,240.
In response to restrictions necessitated during the COVID-19 pandemic, in 2021 the site experimented with a series of “Porch Performances,” where visitors brought their own lawn seating, and entertainers performed on the mansion’s porch. These proved to be so popular that they have been continued each year since. This year, the events have expanded to include other programs and presentations. The Friends of Pennypacker Mills are proud to say we sponsor these Programs, Presentations, and Performances.
The Pennypacker Mills Historic Site is more than a pretty place – it’s got brains too! The museum staff possess a wealth of knowledge about the site and the Pennypacker family, and the archives hold a treasure trove of documents, photographs, books, art and furnishings that are available to researchers by appointment. In addition, a project is underway to digitize those archives and make them available online. In 2019, the Friends of Pennypacker Mills funded the purchase of an overhead scanner to assist with this project. This scanner enables museum staff and volunteers to scan oversized documents and fragile books without bending the spines.
At the Pennypacker Mills Historic Site, history lives through the vast collection of antiques and furnishings collected by former Pennsylvania Governor Samuel W. Pennypacker. Fascinating FREE guided tours are available 6 days a week. In 2018, the Friends of Pennypacker Mills supported the creation of a video tour of the mansions’ second floor for viewing by visitors who are unable to climb the stairs.
The Friends of Pennypacker Mills have funded several infrastructure or conservation projects at the historic site in the 13 years since we began our work.
For the restoration of the Pennypacker Mills Servant Area, the Friends of Pennypacker Mills funded paint analysis to determine the original finish on the kitchen cabinets. The restored 1900s kitchen, laundry, butler’s pantry, cook’s bedroom and workroom are now part of the FREE guided tours available 6 days a week.
The ability to recover from a disaster is vital to the survival of a historic site. In 2023, the Friends provided the funding needed for staff not only from Pennypacker Mills, but also other Montgomery County historic sites, to attend a two-day intensive disaster recovery workshop.
How we support Pennypacker Mills
Since our incorporation in 2010, the Friends have helped the Pennypacker Mills Historic Site in many ways. Learn more below.