The Historical Society of Montgomery County is located at 1654 DeKalb St in Norristown. (Rachel Ravina – MediaNews Group)
The spotlight will be on Montgomery County next year as part of the nation’s semiquincentennial, and the significance couldn’t be understated, as one historian observed.
Historical Society of Montgomery County Executive Director David Young underscored the importance of the events that took place more than two centuries ago, when thousands of Continental Army soldiers were stationed in Montgomery County.
“This history of this area is so profound that if what happened went differently 249 years ago in the county, the USA would not have happened. So as we go into 2026, keep in mind that history happened here, and that’s why this place matters,” Young said.
Young addressed Norristown Municipal Council members during a meeting earlier this month, highlighting the vital resource located at 1654 DeKalb St. in Norristown. Founded in 1881, the nonprofit serves as historical societies for Montgomery County as well as the county seat.
“There are 28 township historical societies. We’re the only one that represents the whole county,” he said.
Young emphasized how “our roots are in Norristown” as the nonprofit’s origin story began in a facility at 19 E. Penn St.
“It has been collecting the history to educate, preserve and bear witness to what happened here [in] Montgomery County,” Young said, adding that “it’s Valley Forge, it’s abolition, it’s the underground railroad. History happened here.”
The Historical Society of Montgomery County is home to 40,000 artifacts, 900 family files, photographs, historical records, photographs, and other items, according to Young, who highlighted several standout items, including the “first Bible published in America,” clocks made by the famed horologist David Rittenhouse, a “bullet taken from General Hancock’s leg” as standout items, and “the only full collection of The Times Herald in the region, going back into the mid-1800s.”
The society has also helped to maintain a historically significant cemetery in Montgomery County with 6,000 graves, including 350 Civil War veterans. The decades-long initiative costs around $40,000 per year to maintain, Young said.
The nonprofit suffered a “major leak” last month that jeopardized precious archival research. It’s since been “contained,” but Young stressed how “these collections are at risk,” as representatives had to separate the items to dry out.
“We’re addressing this right now, but it’s a reminder that if we don’t take care of the past, it will go away, and we have to give life to history in whatever ways we can, including collecting and preserving and investing in what this means to educate the future,” Young said.
Looking ahead, Young said he’s serving on the America250PA Montgomery County commission and the nonprofit plans to initiate a “Norristown History Trail” next year.
Young sought to develop a relationship between the Historical Society of Montgomery County and Norristown elected officials, making a request ahead of the pivotal anniversary.
“I just wanted to let you know we’re here because we’ve been here since 1881 and we’ve been connected to Norristown in a way that you might not realize,” Young said.
“We want you to promote the work that the county is going to be doing, to connect the varieties of history organizations that are doing their best to bear witness to America at its semiquincentennial, and put the public front and center,” he said.
