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2026 Chester County Town Tours & Village Walks

The Schuylkill River Heritage Center is honored and delighted to participate in the 2026 Chester County Town Tours & Village Walks, with the theme of 13 Tours for 13 Colonies. This series of free summer events — part of this year’s America250 celebration — shares our rich culture and heritage at historic sites throughout the County! This SRHC program is supported in part by the Chester County Community Foundation. Click here for program information and the full schedule of Town Tours and Village Walks.
As part of the series, the Schuylkill River Heritage Center presents:

Daniel A. Graham

on the topic of

Pennsylvania Ironmasters & The Revolution

Thursday, May 7, 5:30-7 PM

at the Foundry, 2 Main Street, Phoenixville
Attendance is free to the public. Light refreshments will be served.

In 1776, Chester County’s villages, farms, mills, and iron furnaces were the historic bedrock of our cultural and economic centers today.

Dan Graham explores the critical role of southeastern Pennsylvania iron furnaces in supplying George Washington’s troops with ammunition, cannons, and guns. He’ll focus on key manufacturers and people who played an invaluable role in our successful American Revolution!

Dan is a noted historian on early Pennsylvania iron making, and has written over 65 articles, papers, and several books about the state’s iron industry. See America250chesco.org for more information on the full slate of 2026 Chester County Town Tours and Village Walks!

Download a printable flyer for this event.

A Brief History of the Ferris Wheel and How It Sparked America’s Imagination

What is the enchantment of a Ferris Wheel? Do we anticipate lift-off, defying gravity in a smooth ascent? The view? The thrill of the ride itself?

Amusement wheels of simple design dated back to 1620 in Europe. Their popularity spread across countries and continents, delighting crowds at 19th century American agricultural fairs.

But in America, the age of technology and invention proved an invincible force. By 1849, the New York State Fair unveiled a 50’ wheel of oak and iron…and the sky was literally the limit!

Join us, as Dorothy Bedford Board President, Schuylkill River Heritage Center presents the history of this fascinating technology.

Tuesday, May 12, 7:30 PM

This event will be located at The Foundry, 2 Main Street, Phoenixville
SRHC members – free | Non-members – $5
Space is limited, registration encouraged at
https://givebutter.com/srhc-speaker-series-upjdpu

Early American Wheel image, not verifiable that this is actually the 1848 Syracuse Wheel, first 50’ wheel, made of oak and iron. Image credit: This drawing of the “first big wheel-type ride” appeared in the Aug. 23, 1990 edition of the Post-Standard (Syracuse)

Mr Ferris’s wheel at the Colombian Exposition, 1893. Image credit: University of Illinois (Urbana-Champagne) Archives

Increase overall brightness naturally

The Asbury Park Wheel, 1978. Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, photograph by John Margolies

Download a printable flyer for this event

The History of Valley Forge as a National Park


Valley Forge National Historical Park is nationally significant as the site of the 1777-78 winter encampment of the Continental Army under General George Washington. Few places evoke the spirit of patriotism and independence, represent individual and collective sacrifice, or demonstrate the resolve, tenacity and determination of the people of the United States to be free as well as Valley Forge.

Adam Gresek, Director of Visitor and Community Engagement at Valley Forge National Historical Park, will present this story.

Tuesday, April 14th at 7:30 PM

This event will be held at the Foundry, located at 2 Main St. in Phoenixville.
Admission is free for SRHC members. $5.00 for non-members.
No registration is required.
Download a printable flyer for this event.

Ryan Conroy presents “Phoenixville’s” Role during the American Revolution

Even though the name of Phoenixville didn’t exist yet, some of the town as we know it was already here. Houses, taverns, people and properties were starting to thrive in this new village, and during the Revolution, this village stood up and was very involved. In this lecture, you’ll learn about small skirmishes that occurred in the borough, camp sites and militia units, along with some famous generals who may have used our taverns for meetings and drinks. This year marking America 250, learn and experience how our community was involved and played a part in its America’s history. Please join us as knowledgeable and respected local historian Ryan Conroy shares this story.

Please Join us
Tuesday, March 10th 7:30 PM

This event will be held at the Foundry, located at 2 Main St. in Phoenixville.
Admission is free for SRHC members. $5.00 for non-members.
No registration is required.
Download a printable copy of this event flier.

historical picture of the Fountain Inn, time unknown.
Grave marker of Captain Alexander McCaracher 1749 to 1787
Phoenixville historical building

Upper Merion’s Historic Story

Please Join Us

Neil Sardinas serves as an active and creative member of the Upper Merion Historical Society and longtime member of the Schuylkill River Heritage Center.Through images of places and signs that have been intsalled, he will share

Upper Merion’s Historic Story
Thursday, November 13th at 7:30 PM

This event will be held at the Foundry, located at 2 Main St. in Phoenixville.
Admission is free for SRHC members. $5.00 for non-members.
No registration is required.
Download a printable copy of the flier.

Join us for our 16th Heritage Celebration

October 17, 2025, 5:30-8:30 PM
351 W. Bridge Street
The Phoenix Wheel is Moving Forward

Please join us to celebrate its progress at this informal event that will take place in a tented and heated area at 351 W. Bridge Street – near the Borough Hall parking lot. This is adjacent to the place where the whell will finally have a permanent home when its restoration is completed.

$75 per person
Please RSVP by October 10, 2025, (610) 783-0645

Duportail – a Forgotten Hero

Please Join Us

James McKinley, longtime board member of the historic Duportail House, will tell the story of General Louis Lebègue Duportail. A forgotten hero of the American Revolution, Duportail worked closely with George Washington and made vital contributions as the army’s Chief Engineer.

Louis Lebègue Duportail – A Forgotten Hero

Tuesday, September 9th at 7:30 PM

This event will be held at the Foundry, located at 2 Main St. in Phoenixville.

Admission is free for SRHC Members. $5.00 for Non-Members.

No Registration is required.

Download a printable copy of the program flyer. 

Philadelphia’s Historic Places

Please Join Us

Barbara Cohen who wrote and conducted walking tours for the city’s Foundation for Architecture, will share the story of

Philadephia’s Historic Places
Tuesday, May 13th at 7:30 PM

This event will be held at the Foundry, located at 2 Main St. in Phoenixville.
Admission is free for SRHC members. $5.00 for non-members.
No registration is required.

Pictured above are Philadelphia City Hall, the country’s oldest residential street Elfreth’s Alley, and Reading Terminal.

Download a printable flyer for this program.

Jolie Chylack

Walking & Field Journaling in the Schuylkill Watershed

Please Join Us

As the redbuds begin to bloom and spring peepers call, please join SRHC board member Jolie Chylack for an evening nature talk. She will teach techniques for appreciating all the fantastic natural wonders waiting to be discovered within our watershed. She will also walk us through an innovative journaling method that allows participants to capture natural wonders in one’s very own sketchbook!
The Art of Walking & Field Journaling in the Schuylkill Watershed
Thursday, April 10th at 7:30 PM
This event will be held at the Foundry, located at 2 Main St. in Phoenixville.
Admission is free for SRHC Members. $5.00 for Non-Members.
No Registration is required.

Below are some examples of Jolie’s creative journaling work.

Download a printable copy of this event flyer.