Pennypacker Mills

Pennypacker Mills Welcome to the official page of Pennypacker Mills. The collection also includes political, genealogical and personal papers, and photographs.
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A step back in time to the turn of the 20th century in a home filled with the original antiques in the collection of Samuel Whitaker Pennypacker who lived at Pennypacker Mills from 1900-1916. Besides being governor of Pennsylvania from 1903-1907, he was an internationally-known collector interested in all aspects of early Pennsylvania history, German and Dutch settlers, native Americans, the Revol

utionary and Civil Wars, as well as family history. Originally constructed about 1720, the mansion was redesigned and enlarged by architect Arthur Brockie in 1901 to reflect a country gentleman’s lifestyle. The 1900s History Center in the restored barn offers opportunites for hands-on activites at the General Store & Post Office, transportation center with carriages, wagons, and trains, and communications area with telegraph "texting." Activities throughout the year include exhibits, workshops, and special events. Large group and school tours are requested to call in advance to schedule visits. First floor of mansion and restrooms are handicap accessible. Picnic tables are available, as well as a Classroom building with a kitchenette that is available for rentals that holds 40 people.

05/27/2026

Stop by to see our Pennypacker exhibit!

Memorial Day is a special time to remember and appreciate the brave men and women who have served and sacrificed for our...
05/25/2026

Memorial Day is a special time to remember and appreciate the brave men and women who have served and sacrificed for our country. It's a day to celebrate the freedoms they have protected for us all.

05/22/2026

Each year on May 22, National Buy a Musical Instrument Day celebrates the joy of making music and offers a perfect reason to discover instruments old and new. At Pennypacker Mills, one remarkable example is an 1888 Estey pump organ. The pump organ is a 19th-century keyboard instrument that creates sound by forcing air through reeds with foot-powered bellows, allowing it to produce rich, sustained tones. Because it was smaller and more portable than a pipe organ, the pump organ became a popular fixture in homes and smaller churches during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its distinctive, expressive sound has appealed to a wide range of musicians and composers, from classical figures such as Bach, Debussy, and Franz Liszt to modern artists including The Beatles using a harmonium reed organ in "We Can Work It Out" and Steven Tyler using a pump organ to write “Dream on”. Neil Young, in particular, has maintained a strong connection to the Estey organ, featuring pump organ sounds in songs such as "Like a Hurricane," "A Dream That Can Last," and "Mother Earth." He is also known for collecting Estey pump organs, including one 1885 model associated with his personal collection

May 20th is World Bee Day, established by the UN to emphasize the crucial role of bees and other pollinators in ecosyste...
05/20/2026

May 20th is World Bee Day, established by the UN to emphasize the crucial role of bees and other pollinators in ecosystems and global food security. It highlights the need to protect pollinators like bees, butterflies, bats, and hummingbirds from threats such as pesticides, habitat loss, and climate change. Pollinators are vital for flowering plant reproduction and crop growth, with nearly 80% of crop plants relying on them. They boost harvests, enhance fruit quality, and contribute billions to agriculture. Unfortunately, their populations are declining due to environmental threats. At Pennypacker Mills Garden, we planted marigolds, Johnson's Blue perennial geraniums, Shasta daisies, lavender, bee balm, and creeping thyme to create a pollinator-friendly garden. These plants offer nectar and pollen from spring to fall, supporting bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other beneficial insects.

Happy International Museum Day! Today is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the vital role museums play in preserving...
05/18/2026

Happy International Museum Day! Today is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the vital role museums play in preserving our world’s culture and history. Museums are more than just buildings; they are storytellers of our past, safeguarding objects and materials of cultural and historical significance. At Pennypacker Mills, we are proud to house a uniquely well-documented collection that reflects the interests of Samuel W. Pennypacker, former governor of Pennsylvania, and showcases Pennsylvania’s rich history. The Pennypacker family played a pivotal role in preserving and restoring Valley Forge, and you can learn all about their contributions in our fascinating exhibit. Join us for "Preserving Valley Forge: A Family Affair," running from March 1, 2026, to October 15, 2027. Our tours are free and open to all ages, making it a perfect day out for everyone. Come and be a part of history!

Revolutionary history comes alive! Join us today and tomorrow for our FREE Revolutionary War Weekend and experience livi...
05/16/2026

Revolutionary history comes alive! Join us today and tomorrow for our FREE Revolutionary War Weekend and experience living history demonstrations, tactical army drills, a battle reenactment between Crown and Continental forces, and much more. Fun for the whole family!

Event Hours:
📆 Saturday, May 16: 10am-5pm
📆 Sunday, May 17: 10am-4pm

This event is sponsored by the Friends of Pennypacker Mills.

🕙 Join us tomorrow and Sunday for a FREE Revolutionary War Weekend! Experience a Revolutionary-era army encampment, livi...
05/15/2026

🕙 Join us tomorrow and Sunday for a FREE Revolutionary War Weekend!

Experience a Revolutionary-era army encampment, living history demonstrations, children's marching drills, tactical drills, a live battle reenactment between Continental and Crown forces, and so much more!

Event Hours:
📆 Saturday, May 16: 10am-5pm
📆 Sunday, May 17: 10am-4pm

Sponsored by the Friends of Pennypacker Mills.

Join us for a FREE Revolutionary War Weekend at Pennypacker Mills!May 16: 10am-5pm; May 17: 10am-4pm.Experience the sigh...
05/14/2026

Join us for a FREE Revolutionary War Weekend at Pennypacker Mills!

May 16: 10am-5pm; May 17: 10am-4pm.

Experience the sights and sounds of a Revolutionary War Encampment, living history demonstrations, tactical drills, a battle reenactment between Continental and Crown forces, and so much more!

Sponsored by the Friends of Pennypacker Mills.

Spring is a wonderful time to walk Pennypacker Mills, every where you look growing are vibrant blooms. Among the enchant...
05/14/2026

Spring is a wonderful time to walk Pennypacker Mills, every where you look growing are vibrant blooms. Among the enchanting flora, you'll find the Spanish Bluebells, also known as Wood Hyacinths, gracefully adorning the landscape. These delicate flowers thrive in part shade, preferring the gentle caress of morning and evening sunlight while avoiding the harsh afternoon rays. With minimal care needed once established, they spread effortlessly, creating a sea of blue that attracts bees, butterflies, and birds. In the language of flowers, Spanish Bluebells symbolize humility and constancy, embodying a quiet resilience and steadfast presence. Visit Pennypacker Mills to witness their serene beauty and the peaceful vitality they bring to the springtime scenery.

Calling all history buffs to Pennypacker Mills' FREE Revolutionary War Weekend! Learn about life in the 18th century dur...
05/12/2026

Calling all history buffs to Pennypacker Mills' FREE Revolutionary War Weekend! Learn about life in the 18th century during the Revolutionary War through living history demonstrations, tactical army drills, a live battle reenactment between Continental and Crown forces, and many more hands-on activities for the whole family.

📆 Saturday, May 16: 10am-5pm
📆 Sunday, May 17: 10am-4pm

Photo Credit: Bill Analuf

Sponsored by the Friends of Pennypacker Mills.

Address

5 Haldeman Road
Schwenksville, PA
19473

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm
Sunday 1pm - 4pm

Telephone

+16102879349

Website

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