Joseph Priestley House Museum

06/17/2026

📜How did the Revolutionary War change life for women?

Join historian Mary Zimmerman on Sunday, June 28 at 2:00 PM at the Priestley Chapel in Northumberland for a fascinating look at the role of women during and after the American Revolution.

In her presentation, The Revolutionary War: Was it revolutionary for women, or did their basic situation not change at all? Mary will explore how the war impacted women's lives, from well-known figures like Molly Pitcher to the less visible changes in property rights, political awareness, and women's place in society.

Mary Zimmerman is a longtime history professor, founder of Women's History courses at Northern Virginia Community College, and an award-winning educator who now teaches through the Bucknell Lifetime Learning Institute.

📍 Priestley Chapel
380 Front Street, Northumberland

💲 Free and open to the public

This program is part of the Priestley Chapel's Revolutionary War Speaker Series leading up to America's 250th anniversary.

06/16/2026

06/12/2026

Looking for a way to celebrate America’s 250th while learning more about local history?

Our friends at the Priestley Memorial Chapel are hosting a summer series exploring frontier life, Revolutionary War history, local figures, music, and more 🇺🇸

Programs begin June 21 and continue throughout the summer with topics including:
📜Life on the frontier in the 1770s
👩Women in the Revolutionary War
🥁Revolutionary drum cadences
🎶A special Sunbury City Band performance and reading of the Declaration of Independence

All programs begin at 2 PM. Check out the schedule below and consider adding one to your summer plans!

Which topic sounds most interesting to you?👇

06/10/2026

What do oxygen, carbonated beverages, and America’s founding thinkers have in common? Joseph Priestley.

We’re excited to share this podcast episode featuring Friends of the Joseph Priestley House board members Craig Specht and Ronald Blatchley as they discuss the life, discoveries, and legacy of Joseph Priestley — scientist, educator, theologian, and one of history’s great thinkers.

From his connections with Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson to the experiments that changed chemistry forever, this conversation explores why Priestley’s story still matters today.

Take a listen and let us know: What’s the most surprising thing you learned about Priestley? 🎧👇

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5CXa7w5H5aK7tdSpTsA677?si=KJHWwKObTMOTxp_hGnyPjw&nd=1&dlsi=e84331fac0834845

06/05/2026

🏆You voted — and the results are in!

Over the past few weeks, our Facebook community helped vote for favorite student projects created by students from the Shikellamy School District inspired by the Joseph Priestley House.

Congratulations to all of the student artists and creators featured here👏

Thank you to everyone who voted and helped celebrate the creativity and hard work these students put into their projects. We love seeing local students connect with history in meaningful and creative ways.

06/03/2026

📜 Step back into frontier life in the 1770s.

On Sunday, June 21 at 2 PM, the Northumberland County Historical Society will kick off a special speaker series with Hope Webster Kopf portraying Violet Laferty Crist—a woman who left Philadelphia to begin a new life in the frontier town of Sunbury.

Through storytelling and lived experience, visitors will get a glimpse into what life was really like in our region during the years leading up to the American Revolution.

As we approach America’s 250th Anniversary, programs like this help bring local history to life and remind us that the stories of ordinary people helped shape the nation we know today.

📍Free and open to the public
📅 Sunday, June 21
🕑 2:00 PM

Additional programs throughout the summer will explore frontier cooking, Fort Augusta, Revolutionary War history, flintlocks, drum cadences, and more.

Follow the Northumberland County Historical Society for updates and event locations!

05/29/2026

The Joseph Priestley House is more than a museum — it’s a community effort.

From tour guides and gardeners to event helpers and preservation volunteers, so much of what happens here is made possible by people who care deeply about local history and education.

If you’ve ever wanted to get involved with a historic site, meet new people, or support a unique part of our region’s story, we’d love to welcome you: https://joseph-priestley-house.org/volunteers/

Volunteer opportunities include:
• Tour guides/docents
• Gardens & grounds
• Events & programs
• Social media & communications
• Preservation projects
• Student internships

Every hour makes a difference ❤️

05/23/2026

Did you know one of the most important scientific and historic sites in Pennsylvania is right here in Northumberland?

The Joseph Priestley House was home to scientist, theologian, educator, and co-discoverer of oxygen, Joseph Priestley — and today the home is preserved by a passionate community of local volunteers.

Whether you love history, science, architecture, or simply exploring hidden gems close to home, we hope you’ll plan a visit this season.

🕰Tours are offered Saturdays & Sundays from 1–4 PM through November.

📍472 Priestley Avenue, Northumberland

Have you toured the house before? Share your favorite memory or photo in the comments!