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POSTPONED – Tea with Louisa May Alcott
*** The PHMC and Graeme Park want to ensure that the public remains safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. The PHMC is canceling all events, group and school tours, and rentals at all sites through the end of April. The Friends of Graeme Park will be evaluating programming options and rescheduling what and when we can. Please check back for updates. *** You know Louisa May Alcott as the author of the beloved Young Adult novel, Little Women. Although she immortalized…
Find out more »POSTPONED – Living History Sunday: Keeping a Colonial Household
Keeping house in colonial times involved many activities we take for granted in today’s world. Lacking modern conveniences, our foremothers did all the washing, sewing, spinning, and ironing by hand. Meals were prepared at an open hearth from food grown or raised on the property, and candles had to be produced in large quantities for even a modest-sized household. While trained doctors were available for more serious illnesses, basic medical needs were often treated with herbs. Join us for a day of…
Find out more »POSTPONED – Living History Sunday: Colonial Society
Join us for a day of activities that would have been pursued by members of Philadelphia's Colonial elite. The Tapestry Historic Dance Ensemble will be demonstrating country dances, and we'll be learning about tea service and the language of the fan. Free demonstrations, plus nominal charge for tour of the Keith House ($5 /12+, $3/3-11).
Find out more »CANCELLED: Independence Day at Graeme Park
View our flag collection and join us for a reading of the Declaration of Independence. Free demonstrations, plus nominal charge for tour of the Keith House ($5 /12+, $3/3-11). Schedule TBD.
Find out more »CANCELLED: Living History Sunday: Yellow Fever & Colonial Medicine
Join us for a demonstration on herbal medicine and to learn why country estates like Graeme Park were an important respite during Yellow Fever outbreaks in the city. Free demonstrations, plus nominal charge for tour of the Keith House ($5 /12+, $3/3-11).
Find out more »CANCELLED: Living History Sunday: Lenni Lenape & Native American Traditions
The Briar Bush Nature Center will be here with an interactive exploration of the history of the native people of Pennsylvania. Attendees can interact with authentic and recreated props and tools, learn traditional methods of hunting and gathering, and play Native American games. Free demonstrations, plus nominal charge for tour of the Keith House ($5 /12+, $3/3-11).
Find out more »CANCELLED: Songs & Stories of the Civil War – presented by Matthew Dodd
Dressed in period clothing, Matthew Dodd takes listeners back in time to the Civil War, using songs and stories (humorous and poignant) that show what it was like to be a soldier of the North or South, civilian or loved-one-at-home or an escaped slave in the days of the Civil War. Free. Donations gladly accepted. Sample of Matthew's work:
Find out more »CANCELLED: Living History Sunday: Pirates in Colonial America
Governor William Keith, the first owner of Graeme Park, helped to rid the port of Philadelphia from the scourge of Blackbeard the Pirate. The Schooner Pursuit Historical Society will be here with their mobile museum to educate visitors on the difference between pirates and privateers, sign up recruits, and tell you about life at sea as a privateer. Children and visitors are invited to dress in their best Pirate costume, walk the plank, and partake in a hunt for hidden…
Find out more »Living History – Featuring the Tapestry Dancers
Join us for an afternoon of Colonial dancing with the Tapestry Dancers, a demonstration of tea-service etiquette, and other activities a wealthy and socially prominent family such as the Graemes would have enjoyed during their stays at their country home here in Horsham. The Tapestry Dancers will be demonstrating on the lawn and will teach the audience a few moves as well. Outside program is free (but donations are always appreciated); tours of the Keith House are $7 for adults…
Find out more »The Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793
We may have had enough of the Covid-19 pandemic, but endemic and pandemic diseases were not unknown to our Colonial ancestors either. While they often had to cope with much less scientific knowledge than we have today, and even had their own quack cures, some basics, like social distancing and masking, were practiced then too. This special Living History Theater tour will take you through the house where costumed actors will present scenes related to the Yellow Fever epidemic that raged through…
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