Revel in the spirit of the season at historic Pottsgrove Manor with the annual “Pottsgrove Manor by Candlelight” open-house on Sunday, Dec. 11 from 2 to 8 p.m., and enjoy the beauty of the manor lit by candlelight and bedecked with greenery.
The public is invited to take a self-guided tour of the stately 1752 manor house, where costumed interpreters portray the colonial residents of Pottsgrove Manor. A walking tour guides visitors through the household of John Potts, his wife Ruth and their 13 children. In the formal parlor, an animated gathering is underway as 18th century “guests” socialize and enjoy the latest dances to the lively music of a harpsichord, flute and harp. The dining room displays an elegant dessert table filled with cakes and pastries, and a “glass pyramid” loaded with delectable seasonal treats – nuts, candied fruits, and colorful marzipan.
Cooks and servants bustle about the kitchen, busy concocting authentic dishes and cooking in its 8-foot-wide fireplace, but not too busy to answer a passing question about methods or ingredients. Following passageways through the 17 room mansion, visitors continue to the 2nd and 3rd floors, to view the intimate chambers of a well-to-do colonial family, and learn about preparing for the holiday season.
After exploring the house, complimentary refreshments are available at the end of the tour, and young visitors will be able to create make-and-take free seasonal crafts as a souvenir of their visit.
Guests will also want to visit Pottsgrove Manor’s museum shop for unique, historically-oriented gifts like locally-made redware pottery and ornaments, reproduction glassware, handcrafted candles and soaps, books, toys, games, and more.
Outside, in the manor’s courtyard, visitors will be able to enjoy historic carols sung by the Colonial Revelers singing group (performing from 2 to 5 p.m.).
This is a free event. A donation of $2 per person is suggested. The tour will be held weather permitting. No reservations are needed. Visitors are asked to park at the Carousel at Pottstown (30 West King St. or at Memorial Park (75 West King St.; a shuttle will transport visitors to and from Pottsgrove Manor throughout the event. Handicapped parking is available in the museum’s parking lot. The manor’s open house will also be featured as a stop on the Pottstown Historical House Tour that evening.
Can’t make it to the open house? Visitors can enjoy the spirit of the season at Pottsgrove Manor now through Jan. 8, 2017 with a guided tour of the mansion, decorated for the holidays. Tours are offered during regular museum hours, and the museum shop will also be open for holiday shopping. Regular museum hours are Tuesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Tours are given on the hour. The last tour of the day begins as 3 p.m.
Groups of 10 or more should preregister by calling 610-326-4014. The site is closed Mondays, as well as Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day.
Pottsgrove Manor is located at 100 West King St. near the intersection of King Street and Route 100, just off Route 422, in Pottstown. Pottsgrove Manor is operated by Montgomery County under the direction of the Parks, Trails, and Historic Sites Division of the Assets and Infrastructure Department. For more information, call 610-326-4014, or visit the website at www.montcopa.org/pottsgrovemanor.
