ABOUT US
Who We Are, What We Do
The Longswamp Township Historical Society (LTHS), a 501(c)3, 509(a)(2) non-profit, all-volunteer charitable organization, has been discovering, preserving, sharing the past and historic culture of Longswamp Township area since being incorporated in 2010. The organization was first 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 that have either been donated or acquired. These items have been either generously donated or acquired. Our collections, now more than 2,000 items strong, serve as a great repository for community members as well as 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 has actively worked to raise the needed funds to adaptively reuse salvageable materials of the structure to create a replica of the interior of the station. When complete, the structure will serve as Longswamp Township Historical Society's headquarters, a place to display and store its collections of objects, photos, archives and library materials. And our most recent acquisition, a 1941 Reading Company caboose, which resides on the same property as our building will be located (in the Longswamp Township Park, 1117 State Street, Mertztown), will ensure that our facility will become a community gathering place.
Longswamp Township is blessed with a multitude of surviving historic structures, from barns and stagecoach 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.
Collaboration Is Key to Success
As an all-volunteer organization, we rely heavily on what we can learn from (and share with) peer organizations. The Longswamp Township Historical Society is currently a member of the following organizations, both of which are focused on collecting and/or preserving history of localities in Berks, Lehigh, and Northampton counties:
- Heritage Keepers of the Greater Lehigh Valley
- Passport to History Lehigh Valley
The Longswamp Township Historical Society (LTHS), a 501(c)3, 509(a)(2) non-profit, all-volunteer charitable organization, has been discovering, preserving, sharing the past and historic culture of Longswamp Township area since being incorporated in 2010. The organization was first 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 that have either been donated or acquired. These items have been either generously donated or acquired. Our collections, now more than 2,000 items strong, serve as a great repository for community members as well as 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 has actively worked to raise the needed funds to adaptively reuse salvageable materials of the structure to create a replica of the interior of the station. When complete, the structure will serve as Longswamp Township Historical Society's headquarters, a place to display and store its collections of objects, photos, archives and library materials. And our most recent acquisition, a 1941 Reading Company caboose, which resides on the same property as our building will be located (in the Longswamp Township Park, 1117 State Street, Mertztown), will ensure that our facility will become a community gathering place.
Longswamp Township is blessed with a multitude of surviving historic structures, from barns and stagecoach 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.
Collaboration Is Key to Success
As an all-volunteer organization, we rely heavily on what we can learn from (and share with) peer organizations. The Longswamp Township Historical Society is currently a member of the following organizations, both of which are focused on collecting and/or preserving history of localities in Berks, Lehigh, and Northampton counties:
- Heritage Keepers of the Greater Lehigh Valley
- Passport to History Lehigh Valley
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.
|
Board Members
Troy Fairchild Connie Falatko Eloise Long Marie Maly (President) Bill Meck Debbie Miller (Vice-President) Willard Miller (Treasurer) Vicki Skill (Recording Secretary) Leon Smith Bonnie Solt John Stichter |
Committee Chairs
Building: Troy Fairchild Capital Campaign: Marie Maly Fundraising: Connie Falatko Marketing: Marie Maly Membership: Open Museum: Eloise Long Nominations: Eloise Long Publications: Eloise Long Programs: Leon Smith Newsletter editor: Marie Maly |
|
|