Historical Society of the Phoenixville Area

10/21/2026

Following the British victory at the Battle of Brandywine on September 11, 1777, British General Sir William Howe continued his campaign to capture Philadelphia, then the American capital. British troops, numbering approximately 14,000, including Hessian soldiers serving alongside them, moved through the countryside around what was then known as Manavon, the settlement that would later become Phoenixville.

The British encamped along what is now Route 23 and reached the intersection of Bridge Street and Nutt Road, near the old Fountain Inn where this monument is located. The inn reportedly served as headquarters for General Howe. From there, the British army would have moved down what is now Bridge Street to cross the river at Gordon's Ford, now the site of the Mont Clair Bridge.

10/20/2026

You can see a fine example of St. Clair ferns in our paleontology exhibit at the HSPA museum right here in Phoenixville...and its FREE!

Pennsylvania's anthracite region is famous for its rich coal history, but did you know that it's also home to a remarkable fossil find? St. Clair fossils, featuring beautifully preserved ferns and clubmosses, are common in the Llewellyn Formation around central and eastern Pennsylvania. These plant fossils are around 305 million years old.

What makes them so distinctive is their striking appearance. Over millions of years, the original plant material was replaced by pyrophyllite, a soft, white mineral that preserves the original plant structure with exceptional clarity. When paired with the dark shale they're typically found in, the result is a striking display that makes these fossils instantly recognizable.

Have you ever come across one of these stunning fossils? Share your experience in the comments!

10/20/2026

HSPA's Take-me-back Tuesday takes you back 50 years to glance through the pages of the Phoenix from the week of October 20th, 1976!

10/19/2026

Let's go SHOPPING! 🤩
Take a look at the great lots available in our charity auction!!!
https://maxsold.com/auction/117644/bidgallery?fbclid=IwY2xjawVCZcxleHRuA2FlbQIxMABwZG9mAWJyaWQRMTY4bEVjSEE4VUdHVXJUNElzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEePnsplMeSbLcewFWZu3CFhEBhDADJ3J7hXyG_mPvNlvP_CIlvyHxOSbWYuqA_aem_4DSxR86e_NRZ7lRIutHmrg

Shop online estate sales and auctions at Maxsold!

10/19/2026

How many of you were in the Phoenixville High School Band?
What instrument did you play?

10/17/2026

We almost lost it.
The Foundry Building was constructed in 1882 by the Phoenix Iron Company as part of a massive industrial complex and a major center of iron and steel production. Located along the French Creek at Main and Mill streets, the building was used to produce iron castings that supported the company’s manufacturing operations, including components for its famous Phoenix columns used in bridges and other structures. Its distinctive sandstone walls, steel roof trusses, clerestory windows, and enormous wooden crane reflect the ingenuity of 19th-century industrial engineering. Following the decline of the steel industry and the closure of Phoenix Steel, the building was abandoned and much of the surrounding industrial complex was demolished. In 1998, the Phoenixville Area Economic Development Corporation acquired the endangered structure and began efforts to preserve it. Today, the restored building serves as the Phoenixville Foundry, a special-event venue, and houses the Schuylkill River Heritage Center, which interprets the region’s rich industrial history. It remains one of the most important surviving reminders of Phoenixville’s iron and steelmaking heritage.

10/17/2026

Museum is open tomorrow from 1:00 to 4:00!!!

10/16/2026

Phoenix iron workers c.1900

10/15/2026

Phoenixville’s first post office was established in 1828 at the General Pike tavern, a local landmark operated by John Morgan, who served as the community’s postmaster and justice of the peace. In those early days, mail was not delivered to individual homes, so residents had to travel to the post office to retrieve their correspondence.