History’s stories are all around us. One does not have to look far find one. Even in my small suburban neighborhood, located outside of Philadelphia, small snippets of America’s story can be found. Here are just three I have discovered:
The Peter Wentz House at the Wentz Farmstead - located 5.5 miles from my home:
This Georgian style house, built by Peter Wentz in 1758, can honestly claim “Washington slept here”. George Washing used the Wentz farm and two rooms in the farmhouse as his headquarters two separate times in the fall of 1777. Once in September and again in October following his defeat at the Battle of Germantown, which occurred on October 4, 1777. The Wentz family was able to stay in the home during Washington’s stay. It was while Washington was at the Wentz home that he learned of the victory at Saratoga and General Burgoyne’s surrender. This mighty victory would persuade France to support American’s fight for freedom and become a major turning point in the war. Valley Forge, located just 9 miles south of the Wentz farm (and subject of my last blog) is where Washington and his troops would make their famous winter encampment just two months later.
Evangelical Congregational Church (nicknamed “Old Dutchie Church) - located 2 miles from my home:
Old Dutchie Church was built in 1845 by German immigrants. Not only a quaint church that is one of the few remaining examples of architecture from that time period but also rumored to have been a stop on the Underground Railroad. Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, where Old Dutchie is located, was home to many abolitionists so it not a stretch to believe that runaway slaves fled by way of this small church on their race to freedom. But the church’s unexplained trap door is evidence that this small church perhaps was a stop on the railroad. The trap door, located near the pulpit, contains a loft like area below the church floor that is still visible to this day. This cramped space is large enough to hold a small number of people. There is no documented proof that the Old Dutchie was indeed a stop on the Underground Railroad, but confirming such places of refuge is not easy because, it was all done in secret. But I believe the trap door maybe proof enough.
Methacton Mennonite Churchyard - located 1.7 miles from my home:
This Mennonite Church has two points of historical interest: the churchyard itself and the large white oak tree located on the church grounds. The original church (no longer standing) was built prior to 1771 and was used as a hospital after the Revolutionary War battle at Germantown in October, 1777. According to local lore soldiers camped in the churchyard and according to legend there are even a few soldiers buried on the church grounds. The soldiers that camped on the church grounds most likely did so under the branches of what has become known as the “Methacton Oak”. This oak tree is estimated to be over 320 years old, making it already 86 years old in 1777. This magnificent tree is believed to be the oldest living thing east of the Mississippi.
An odd feature at the church:
When visiting the church it is interesting to take the time to examine one side of the church’s cemetery wall. A portion of the stone wall, located next to the “Methacton Oak”, has needed repair over the last 250 years. This fact alone is not surprising. But what is remarkable is that at some point the wall was repaired using headstones from the cemetery itself. You can’t help but wonder who thought this was a good idea!
So what history is around you?
Please be sure to check out a slideshow posted on the right of this post about the three stops detailed in this blog.
Works Cited:
"Farmstead History". Peter Wentz Farmstead Society. 30 March 2011. http://www.peterwentzfarmsteadsociety.org/history.html.
A History of Worcester Township. Boyertown, PA: Boyertown Publishing Co., 1976.
"Our History". Methacton Mennonite Church. 30 March 2011. <http://www.methactonmennonite.org/aboutus1.html>.
"Peter Wentz Farmstead". Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. 29 March 2011. <http://historicsites.montcopa.org/historicsites/cwp/view,A,3,Q,24480,historicsitesNav,%7C.asp>.
"Worcester Historical Society". Worcester Historical Society. 11 March 2011. <http://www.worcesterhistorical.org/index.htm>Works Cited:
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