Dec. 18th - 20th

Join Eastern State Penitentiary as we commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his 1963 "Letter from Birmingham Jail." Engage in special readings from the landmark text and respond to its relevance today. All special activities are free and open to the public. Daytime tours of Eastern State are available for standard admission prices.

Professional actors, youth, and community leaders read excerpts from Dr. King's letter three times a day on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday at 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 3:30 p.m. After each reading, visitors are invited to respond to the letter's relevance today during an informal discussion moderated by a civil rights scholar.

In addition, on Monday, January 20 only, join us for family activities (10 am - 4 pm) with the African American Museum in Philadelphia and Art Sanctuary, musical performances (1 pm and 3 pm) by Justin Griggs, and community electronics recycling (10 am - 2 pm) with PAR-Recycle Works. More information at www.EasternState.org.

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Mar. 18th - Jan. 9th

Visitors to Pennypacker Mills, a Montgomery County historic site are welcome year-round for guided tours of the completely furnished 20th century home of Pennsylvania Governor Samuel W. Pennypacker (1903-1907) and his family. Explore two stories of this unique historic home set on 170 acres of bucolic farmland. Visit for seasonal events, education programs & new exhibits in the Galleries. All tours must be pre-registered and confirmed by a staffer. Call 610-287-9349 or email pennypackermills@montcopa.org to pre-register for a guided tour. Tours take 1 hour; last tour at 3 pm. Please wear a mask and social distance.

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Apr. 8th - Oct. 31st

Looking for a fun, outdoor activity for the whole family? Come to Pennypacker Mills and walk the property finding answers to the questions in the Treasure Hunt. The history of the site will be revealed as you stop at informational signs and the Pennsylvania State marker along the way. Enjoy the beauty of the meadow as wildflowers bloom throughout the year. It's easy and fun and free!

What you need to know: Pick up an Outdoor Treasure Hunt brochure from the kiosk near the main parking lot. Follow the map and discover the answers as you walk the site. This is a free activity.


When: Pennypacker Mills is open Tuesday thru Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm; Sunday, 1 to 4 pm. Closed on Mondays and Holidays.

What else can I do at Pennypacker Mills: Take a guided tour! Included is the exhibit, "Greetings from Schwenksville," which features images from the collection of Pennypacker Mills, showing Schwenksville and the surrounding area at the turn-of-the-twentieth century. Tours must be pre-registered by calling 610-287-9349 or email PennypackerMills@montcopa.org. Tours must be confirmed by a staff member. Tours take 1 hour, last tour at 3 pm. Maximum of 10 people on a group tour. Tours are free, suggested donation $2/person.

About Pennypacker Mills - Known for its collection of 18th and 19th century decorative arts, furnishings, personal correspondence, and official documents of Samuel Pennypacker's term as Governor of Pennsylvania. The site offers guided tours, exhibitions, engaging education programs, and seasonal events. The Pennypacker mansion offers visitors a glimpse of life in the early 1900's when the Pennypacker family lived here.
Operated by the Montgomery County Division of Parks, Trails & Historic Sites.

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Oct. 6th - Nov. 14th

You may have ziplined before. You may have played cornhole before. You may have picked pumpkins before, BUT have you played cornhole or smashed pumpkins while zipping through the trees?

Yep, the ante has been upped. Come experience our Flying V zipline tour and toss 4 bags from 20-35 feet in the air- 2 while zipping and 2 from stationary platforms. Or try out our Aerial Excursion zipline tour and smash pumpkins from 30-40 ft up while zipping. This is bound to be the most epic game of cornhole and pumpkin target practice you'll ever play!

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Oct. 27th - Dec. 15th

Join DriscollProductions every Wednesday at 10:00 and/or 2:00 PM ET on facebook LIVE. Free family-friendly fun for children ages 2 to 102.

Doug The Talking Dog can say your child's first name (if you type it in the comments). Children ages 2 to 102 are invited to join the free INTERACTIVE Facebook LIVE fun and drum along with our dummies VIRTUALLY... using anything at home that you hit, shake, or scrape to make sound.

EXPERIENCE musical terms including tempo, dynamics, crescendo, and more LIVE. Parents and children are encouraged to ask questions online about the Irish Bodhrán, Tahitian Toere, Trinidadian mini-steel drum or the many other percussion instruments.

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Oct. 31st

Free for families who live in Philadelphia.

Join us at Eastern State Penitentiary for an afternoon of fall-themed family fun! Trick-or-treat inside the penitentiary, then explore Eastern State's history and legacy with the help of a special scavenger hunt.

Kids in costumes (and their families) receive free admission with proof of Philadelphia residency.

Please Note: In accordance with guidelines issued by the City of Philadelphia, all staff and visitors (ages 2+) are required to wear a mask in indoor spaces, regardless of vaccination status.

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Nov. 3rd

This free workshop is for middle school girls, grades 5-8.

Do you like to play video games? Do you wonder how they are made? Would you like to make your own? Come learn how to do this using the block-based Scratch visual programming system. You'll learn what coding is all about, have fun exercising your imagination about how your game should work, and gain skills by writing code to make it work.

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Nov. 23rd - Jan. 9th

Discover one of Montgomery County's most spectacular holiday destinations during this holiday season. Holiday Tours bring the warmth and authenticity of a 1900's Christmas at Pennsylvania Governor Samuel Pennypacker's mansion with displays of vintage styled decorations, children's toys, holiday sweets in the Dining Room, and stories of how the Pennypacker family celebrated the holidays. Come to the Pennypacker mansion and see a sparkling example of an early 20th century Christmas home you will feel welcome in now.

The Museum Shop is stocked with wonderful vintage inspired decorations, toys, books, and holiday sweets for the whole family. Plan your guided tour today. All tours must be pre-registered. Call 610-287-9349 or email PennypackerMills@montcopa.org. All tours must be confirmed by a staff member. Group tours are limited to 10 people maximum. Closed Mondays, Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm; Sundays, 1 pm to 4 pm. Tours are FREE, with a suggested donation of $2 per person. Masks are required, social distance.

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Nov. 26th - Jan. 9th

For 2021 we are bringing back our Christmas Lights for All.

With select dates, we'll be featuring our vast array of Christmas lights throughout our property.

How to enjoy?

- Register your car for our donation based Drive Thru- all proceeds go to our featured non-profits (check LightsForAll page to see a calendar and dates of each featured non-profit).

- Book a zipline experience- we will have 2 experiences with 2 ziplines, high ropes, and one with a giant swing! Check our link for more info and what's included.

- Book our observation tower and wildlife center. See the lights from a new perspective and while you're at it, catch the critters in our wildlife center to see how they celebrate Christmas!

- Book a cozy cabin and enjoy the lights for more than one night! Check our link for more info and what's included.

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Dec. 11th

See living historians portray family and friends within the beautifully decorated rooms at historic Pennypacker Mills. At each room, meet an interpreter who will share how the Christmas holiday we celebrate today all started back in the early 1900's. In the kitchen, see a demonstration of how clear toy candy is made in multiple shapes. From wrapped presents to the idea of sending Christmas cards, what a German putz represents, and what children wished for at Christmastime, you can see how our treasured traditions came to be. Holiday history not to be missed!

The Museum Shop is stocked with decorations and gift items that you won't find anywhere else. Buy some shiny glass icicles, Wilber buds, clear toy candy or Dresdens to liven up your decor! The Victorian Christmas Open House is FREE, with a suggested donation of $2/person. Wear a mask and social distance.

Pennypacker Mills, known for its original collection of 18th through early 20th century decorative arts, furnishings, and official and personal documents, offers guided tours, changing exhibits, educational programs, seasonal events, and craft workshops during the year. Admission & parking are free. The Pennypacker mansion offers visitors a glimpse of life in the early 1900's when the Pennypacker family lived here.

Museum hours are 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, Tuesday through Saturday; 1:00 pm to 4 pm, Sunday. Closed Mondays and major holidays. Pennypacker Mills is located at 5 Haldeman Road, Schwenksville, PA.

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