Genealogy 101 Offered by County's Historical Society

Montgomery County's historical society gives residents a chance to learn their own family history.

Have you always wondered where your family came from? What their past jobs or homes were like? Do you know your great- great- great- great- grandparents? Would you like to? On May 21 at 7 p.m., the Historical Society of Montgomery County (HSMC) will offer the low-cost course on "Uncovering Your Past: An Introduction to Genealogy." It is a four-course session, running on Tuesday nights for a month. The class will be hosted at the HSMC's headquarters, 1654 Dekalb St., Norristown. Rose Brown, genealogist, will host the course. "[Brown] will present a four-week genealogy workshop for beginners wanting to find their roots," explained the HSMC website. The workshop will begin on May 21, 7 to 8:30 p.m., and continue every Tuesday through June 11…

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'Harriet Tubman' To Visit Historical Society of Montgomery County

Free historical talk with 'historical interpreter' set for Sunday.

She was a hero of the Underground Railroad. She helped to free many slaves. And, on Sunday, she'll be a guest of the Historical Society of Montgomery County. Well, sort of... On Sunday at 2:30 p.m., Harriet Tubman, (also known as Dr. Daisy Century) will host a free talk at the HSMC, located at 1654 DeKalb Pike in Norristown. According to the HSMC website, Century is known as a historical interpreter. "As a historical reenactor, Dr. Century has traveled all over the United States portraying historical figures from history," the site said. "She defines her role as a 'Historical Interpreter' because she becomes that character." The HSMC described Tubman as an "American Hero and Moses of her People." Guests to the free speech will learn more …

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Introduction to Genealogy: Uncovering Your Past

The Historical Society of Montgomery County is offering a four-week class for beginner genealogists.

Old North Penn: The McIntyre's Eight Sons, Ca. 1902

A glimpse into the past of the North Penn area, courtesy of 'Old Images of Montgomery County PA' on Facebook.

Look at that awesome pose from the son in the front. This photo was posted by Joy Boileau McIntyre on the "Old Images of Montgomery County PA" Facebook page. This photo is of William and Mary McIntyre, of Lansdale, and their eight sons, taken around 1902. Do you know more of the history of this photo? What's going on with their attire? Let us know in the comments.

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The Lansdaleian

Editorial: Lansdale Borough Hall Should Be A Proud Relic

An opinion piece on why and how Lansdale Borough Council should keep a part of Lansdale's past — and why 311 W. Main should be completed first

When I was a boy, growing up in Towamencin, I was surrounded by amateur carpenters who do impeccable work. My father, uncles and Pop-Pop Di Domizio would take their etched- or permanent marker-monogrammed tools and construct a new deck, back patio, addition, mantel, bookshelves — you get the picture. I can’t speak for the other members of my family, but at least for myself, I also grew up in a home where six projects were going on at one time. I love my parents’ finished basement; I don’t love how they can’t use the other half of the attic. The plywood only covers the joists so far. It wasn’t until I was nearing my wedding when their back porch finally got enclosed. I don’t live in that home anymore. I do live in Towamencin, but in an …

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Lansdale Borough Hall's Deep Historic Roots

While most residents concede the 79-year-old building needs major repairs, the overriding question is whether to fix it or tear it down and start over. Here's a bit of the history of the former post office at Vine and Broad streets

In recent weeks there has been much discussion about the future of Lansdale’s Borough Hall. While most residents concede the 79-year-old building needs major repairs the overriding question is whether to fix it or tear it down and start over. Is the former post office a landmark worthy of preservation or just another old downtown building to be demolished along with the 75 others – including the Hotel Tremont and the Lansdale Theatre – that were razed over the last half century? A recent study concluded that both borough hall and the adjacent police station desperately need attention. The police station, originally built in 1957 as a library, has little historic significance and, in fact, served its original purpose for only 15 years. …

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Little Peggy March to JFK: Lansdale Rewinds to 1963

Lansdale Historical Society looks back 50 years ago to the events that shaped our area during a community presentation tonight

Fifty years ago, the radio waves were alive with the voice of Lansdale's own Margaret Annemarie Battavio — better known as Little Peggy March — and her hit "I Will Follow Him." It was 1963, and Lansdale was basking in the musical glory of one of its own. During this time, the borough would also see new housing developments take over farmland, and shopping centers and new schools being built to meet demands. At one time, the North Penn area was running out of water because of the population boom. Although Little Peggy March took over the airwaves and Lansdalians took over the community, the assassination of President John F. Kennedy would be the defining event in 1963 for an entire generation of Americans.   Tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the …

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Lansdale Municipal Complex Renovations Talk of Town Hall

At the informal Lansdale Town Hall Session Tuesday night, residents and officials discussed a plethora of items — among them the potential renovations of 1 Vine Street and vacation of Railroad Avenue

What was once the home of the Dewey Decimal System is now home to the criminal justice system. What was once the post is now host to votes. Lansdale Police Department and Lansdale Borough Hall have history to them: The former was the Lansdale Library in the 1950s and the latter was the original Lansdale Post Office in the 1930s. Now, both buildings are the center of a facilities update in the borough. Both were deemed in poor condition, with countless mechical, structural and aesthetical problems, insufficient and tight spaces, and poorly-designed layouts. Council can choose to build onto them or demolish them in favor of new state-of-the-art buildings — or do nothing. The municipal complex renovations were the talk of Lansdale's Town Hall…

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Lansdale Then and Now is Heart of Tuesday Historical Society Program

"Then You Saw It ... Now You Don't" will be presented Tuesday night at the Lansdale Parks and Recreation Building, courtesy of the Lansdale Historical Society

The old days of Lansdale will come alive again during Lansdale Historical Society's sixth-annul edition of "Then You Saw It ... Now You Don't." The community program is Tuesday night at 7:30 at the Lansdale Parks and Recreation Building on Lansdale Avenue. The society's video series matches vintage photographs and postcards with an updated view of the same location today, usually captured from the same angle. The presentation is produced by society video archivist and Vice President Steve Moyer.  More than 500 photographs of local scenes have comprised the first five editions of "Then You See It ..." The event is free, but donations are accepted. You can read about a the fifth "Then You See It..." program here. Contact the Lansdale …

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Camera, No Trespassing Signs Coming to Lansdale Historical Society

Chief Robert McDyre told the public safety committee that measures need to be taken to protect the 'valuable' assets at the Jenkins Homestead on Jenkins Avenue

After dealing with recent instances of vandalism at the Jenkins Homestead, the Lansdale Historical Society is getting some help from Lansdale Police and the borough public safety committee. Lansdale Police Chief Robert McDyre told the committee last week that no trespassing signs and surveillance cameras will soon be installed at the homestead. "I think the items are too valuable to suffer loss any further," McDyre said. Lansdale Historical Society President Dick Shearer said he has been very appreciative of the increased surveillance that the borough has provided ever since the increase in vandalism, which has ranged from graffiti on a historic home to damaged shakes on the roof of an 18th-century spring house. "I am very concerned about …

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