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Living History Sunday: Childhood at Graeme Park & in the Colonies
Dr. Thomas Graeme and his wife Anne had at least nine children. Spend Father’s Day learning about the life and times of the children of Graeme Park. Visitors will participate in colonial childhood games that the Graeme children might have played during their summers at Graeme Park, as well as learn about the skills that all proper children needed to know as young ladies and gentlemen. But life for children wasn’t all fun and games, especially among the servants or…
Find out more »Happy Hour with the Historian: The History of Willow Grove
Join us on the lovely evening grounds of Graeme Park (indoors in cooler/inclement weather) for a few drinks, munchies, and 30-40 minute talk on a topic of historical interest. $5/cover charge; cash bar and food. No cover charge for members. Bar opens at 6 pm, lecture starts at 7 pm. Speaker Heather Greenleaf, author of An Imperfection in the Kitchen Floor, will talk about everyday life in Willow Grove from 1910-1925, including the history of Willow Grove Park and the…
Find out more »Colonial Beer Brewing Demonstration
Join our brewer in the summer kitchen as he follows the traditional practices to brew a 2 gallon batch of house beer. Ingredients, types of beer and the process of brewing will all be covered, along with history of beer making in the 18th century and a discussion on why people drank (the reasons are varied and not all the same as today!). House tours available at a nominal cost.
Find out more »Independence Day at Graeme Park
Bring a picnic lunch and celebrate Independence Day at Graeme Park! The Graeme family knew many of the signers of the Declaration of Independence and also those who fought against independence. Several of the "Graeme family" and friends will be on hand at Graeme Park to share their thoughts about the Continental Congress’ decision to break from England. A reading of the Declaration of Independence will be held at 1 p.m. followed at 1:45 by a discussion between Dr. Benjamin…
Find out more »Living History Sunday: Friends & Foes: Loyalists & Revolutionaries
Like many in 1776, Elizabeth Graeme Fergusson had to make a choice. Should she throw in with some of her friends and side with the high ideals of individual liberty by supporting the revolution, or should she protect her property, position and husband, Henry Hugh Fergusson, and remain loyal to King George III? Was it possible that she could remain neutral, even with war swirling all around Graeme Park? Visitors to Graeme Park today will be immersed in her difficult…
Find out more »Living History Sunday: War Comes to Graeme Park
In August of 1777 hundreds of men camped and drilled on the grounds of Graeme Park in preparation for the coming Battle of Brandywine. The troops were under the overall command of General “Mad Anthony” Wayne. Join us today at Graeme Park as we meet one or two of Wayne’s men, and hear their stories about the war and the upcoming confrontation with the British. Presentation at 2:00 p.m. Tours of the Keith House scheduled throughout the day.
Find out more »Happy Hour with the Historian: The “Philadelphia White House”
Join us on the lovely evening grounds of Graeme Park (indoors in cooler/inclement weather) for a few drinks, munchies, and 30-40 minute talk on a topic of historical interest. $5/cover charge; cash bar and food. No cover charge for members. Bar opens at 6 pm, lecture starts at 7 pm. The Deshler-Morris House in Germantown, also known as the Philadelphia White House, was President Washington's retreat during the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793. The house was restored beautifully in 2009…
Find out more »Life in William Penn’s Woods
Take a guided nature walk through the grounds of Graeme Park and learn about how our colonial forefathers would have used the land and the resources found here. Leashed dogs welcome.
Find out more »Living History Sunday: The Civil War & Graeme Park
Although Graeme Park is most known as a historic colonial site, the Penrose family, owners of Graeme Park from 1801 to 1920, couldn’t help but be drawn into the Civil War. Family patriarch, Samuel Penrose, was a Quaker as were many of his descendants, but that didn’t stop tragedy from touching the family during the war. Join us today as we explore the struggle Pennsylvania’s Quaker families faced during the Civil War and the impact the war had on farms…
Find out more »Happy Hour with the Historian: Theater in Colonial Philadelphia
Join us on the lovely evening grounds of Graeme Park (indoors in cooler/inclement weather) for a few drinks, munchies, and 30-40 minute talk on a topic of historical interest. $5/cover charge; cash bar and food. No cover charge for members. Bar opens at 6 pm, lecture starts at 7 pm. According to her biographer, Anne M. Ousterhout, there is no known evidence that Elizabeth Graeme Fergusson attended the theater in Philadelphia. At the same time, we know that Elizabeth attended…
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