What began in Pennsylvania as a single sheet of parchment paper and 56 signatures will, on July 4, 2026, be celebrated as a momentous milestone in our country’s history — 250 years of American independence.
Before this date, every state, county and municipality has been encouraged to host an event to commemorate and celebrate its respective historic heritage.
On Saturday, Sept. 20, the Longswamp Township America250 Committee will host “The Way We Were,” an event to look back on some of the memorable moments in Longswamp Township history.
Held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., the event will take place on the township property at 1112 State Street, Mertztown. Stories will be told using a multimedia approach: reenactor presentations, exhibits, and film.
“As is true everywhere, Longswamp Township and its residents have been impacted by county, state, national and international events since its formation in 1761. This event will offer brief looks back in time that share how national or international events impacted Longswamp Township residents and how certain Longswamp Township activities impacted the nation,” township office administrator Allison Fuller, who is leading the event planning committee, stated in the event announcement.
Live and video presentations sponsored by the Longswamp Township Historical Society and Lower Macungie Township History Society will be held in the lower-level meeting room of the township building. At 11:15 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., the 30-minute short film, “The Fries Rebellion”, a story of an armed tax revolt that took place in southeastern Pennsylvania in 1798-99, will be playing.
Live Presentations
Live presentations include WWII presentation “Dutchman Saves Force from German Capture” at 1 p.m. Bill Meck will portray Longswamp Township citizen, Charles Fenstermaker.
At 1:50 p.m., Mark Anderson will portray Longswamp Township citizen, Charles Bennett, in the World War I presentation “Farmer Turned Aide for Shell-Shocked Soldiers.”
At 3:15 p.m., Chris Stress portrays a Revolutionary War-era soldier during “Long Swamp and the American Revolution.”
From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Longswamp Township Historical Society sponsors a poster display along the rampway to the township’s lower-level meeting room. The posters will feature events that shaped Longswamp and the Longswamp area events that shaped the country.
Outdoor Demonstrations, exhibits and activities
Throughout the duration of the event, master blacksmith demonstrations sponsored by P.C. Janusz Blacksmith and Stone Works will take place.
Brandywine Community Library will host a children’s story and activity in the area of pavilion 1 at 11:30 a.m.
The Longswamp Township Historical Society will also have tabletop exhibits on display at pavilion 1. These exhibits will have you magnetized as you learn about iron ore and how it helped fuel America’s first Industrial Revolution.
Leave your mark in Longswamp Township by painting a rock with an image that represents America. Longswamp Township Park & Recreation is sponsoring this event and will use all of the rocks to create an America250 Rock Garden in the park.
Lastly, while not officially open until Oct. 19, visit the Longswamp Township Historical Society Museum and Reading Company caboose located at the top of the park. The museum and caboose will be open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
All events, presentations, and activities are free. Local nonprofit organizations will have food and drink available to purchase.
The Way We Were is an America250 event presented by the Longswamp Township Board of Supervisors.
The Longswamp Township America250 committee sincerely thanks the Board of Supervisors for this opportunity to hold this event and hopes this event encourages other municipalities, organizations, and individuals to celebrate this historic milestone.
For more event information contact Allison Fuller at 610-682-7388 ext. 129 or afuller@longtwsp.net.
Source: Berkshire mont