ABOUT US
Who We Are, What We Do
The Longwamp Township Historical Society (LTHS), a 501(c)3, 509(a)(2) non-profit charitable organization, has been discovering, preserving, sharing the past and historic culture of Longswamp Township area since May, 2011. The organization was authorized by the Longswamp Township Board of Supervisors pursuant to Resolution No. 2009-22, which was adopted October 27, 2009.
Our museum and library collections include many artifacts, documents, manuscripts, and photographs from the area. These items have been either generously donated or acquired. Our collections serve as a great repository for historians, history buffs, genealogists and anyone who wishes to learn more about the township's past: people, places and things.
Fulfilling Our Purpose
Following the May, 2019, acquisition of the Mertztown Train Station, LTHS is actively working to raise the needed funds to adaptively reuse the building as its headquarters, a place to display and store its collections of artifacts, a historical library and a gathering place for the community.
Our area is blessed with a multitude of surviving historic structures, from barns and stage coach stops to Victorian era and pre-Victorian era homes plus three sites listed on the National Register of Historical Places: The Mary Ann Historic District (Trexler's Furnace), the Long/Haewerter Grist Mill, and the former Lutheran Orphan's Home. And while the Train Station is ineligible for inclusion to the National Register, we believe it to be as historically important to the Longswamp area, Berks County and the State of Pennsylvania as any other structure listed on the National Register.
We invite you to visit our SAVE OUR STATION webpage to learn more about why the Save Our Station - Mertztown Train Station Project is worthy of financial support.
Collaboration Is Key to Success
As an all-volunteer organization, we rely heavily on what we can learn from (and share with) peer organizations. LTHS is currently a member of the following organizations, all of which are focused on collecting and/or preserving history:
- Heritage Keepers of the Greater Lehigh Valley
- Passport to History Lehigh Valley
- Victorian Society in America
The Longwamp Township Historical Society (LTHS), a 501(c)3, 509(a)(2) non-profit charitable organization, has been discovering, preserving, sharing the past and historic culture of Longswamp Township area since May, 2011. The organization was authorized by the Longswamp Township Board of Supervisors pursuant to Resolution No. 2009-22, which was adopted October 27, 2009.
Our museum and library collections include many artifacts, documents, manuscripts, and photographs from the area. These items have been either generously donated or acquired. Our collections serve as a great repository for historians, history buffs, genealogists and anyone who wishes to learn more about the township's past: people, places and things.
Fulfilling Our Purpose
Following the May, 2019, acquisition of the Mertztown Train Station, LTHS is actively working to raise the needed funds to adaptively reuse the building as its headquarters, a place to display and store its collections of artifacts, a historical library and a gathering place for the community.
Our area is blessed with a multitude of surviving historic structures, from barns and stage coach stops to Victorian era and pre-Victorian era homes plus three sites listed on the National Register of Historical Places: The Mary Ann Historic District (Trexler's Furnace), the Long/Haewerter Grist Mill, and the former Lutheran Orphan's Home. And while the Train Station is ineligible for inclusion to the National Register, we believe it to be as historically important to the Longswamp area, Berks County and the State of Pennsylvania as any other structure listed on the National Register.
We invite you to visit our SAVE OUR STATION webpage to learn more about why the Save Our Station - Mertztown Train Station Project is worthy of financial support.
Collaboration Is Key to Success
As an all-volunteer organization, we rely heavily on what we can learn from (and share with) peer organizations. LTHS is currently a member of the following organizations, all of which are focused on collecting and/or preserving history:
- Heritage Keepers of the Greater Lehigh Valley
- Passport to History Lehigh Valley
- Victorian Society in America
Mission : Ensure present and future generations will be able to learn and study the historical heritage of the township.
Purpose:
- Discover and preserve educational and illustrative collections of material, structures, and landmarks of the Longswamp area.
- Preserve and record the history and culture of the Longswamp area.
- Maintain a museum and non-circulating historical library of the Longswamp area.
Vision: Inspire current and future generations to share a sense of community and pride in the heritage of our township.
LTHS Board Meeting agendas and meeting minutes are posted by the Township to its website. A listing of Board of Directors meetings can be found on our Events webpage.
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Board Members
Kristine Chase (Correspondence Secretary) Troy Fairchild Delores (Tootie) Hellwig Eloise Long Mary Mabry Marie Maly (President) Bill Meck Debbie Miller (Vice-President, interim Secretary) Willard Miller (Treasurer) Leon Smith Bonnie Solt John Stichter Committee Chairs Building: Troy Fairchild Foundation Grants: Kristine Chase Fundraising: Tootie Hellwig Marketing: Marie Maly Membership: open Museum: Eloise Long Publications: Eloise Long Programs: Leon Smith Newsletter editor: Marie Maly |
LTHS Board Members (2019)
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