History Fair Events & Presentations
3rd Annual Crooked Billet History Fair | Saturday, April 26, 2025 | Horsham, PA
Founders Sponsor
📆 Saturday, April 26, 2025
⌚ 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
🌦️ THIS IS A RAIN OR SHINE EVENT
📍 227 Meetinghouse Rd, Horsham PA
Click on a Presentation Name below for a Full Description & Summary
Auditorium Presentations & Times
• 10:30 am - History of the Grand Army of the Republic (Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War)
• 11:30 am - The Lost Covered Bridges of Bucks & Montgomery Counties (Bucks County Covered Bridge Society)
• 12:30 pm - The Three Stooges on the Road in the City of Brotherly Love (The Stoogeum)
• 1:30 pm - Threads of Time: Morgan Log House From Farm to Fashion (Edward Morgan Log House)
• 2:30 pm - A Brief History of Willow Grove Park (Old York Road Historical Society)
• All day in the Library - The Battle of the Crooked Billet movie (Hatboro History Museum)
Outdoor Activities - All day in the front driveway (in the Cafeteria if inclement weather)
• Pop-Up Paper Making Studio (Historic RittenhouseTown) - 10 am to 1 pm only
• Vintage 1965 Mack C-95 Fire Engine & Equipment (Enterprise Fire Company of Hatboro)
• Colonial Surveyor David Rittenhouse (Regimental Brewmeister Michael Carver)
• Simulation of The Battle of The Crooked Billet in Miniature (Del-Val Gamers)
• What Did Kids Do Before The Internet? - Interactive Revolutionary-era Games (Hatboro History Museum)
Registration Area Events & Times
• 10 am to 1 pm - Ask The Doc with Dr. Mark of Iron Mountain Orthopaedic Institute
• 10:15 am & 11 am - Keith Valley Middle School Pre-Demolition Tours with Principal Jon Kircher
Snacks & Refreshments
• Northeast Fudge Bar (in Exhibition Hall)
• Rita's Italian Ice (in the Front Driveway - in Cafeteria if inclement weather)
(all events subject to change, check for updates)
• 10:30 am - Auditorium
History of the Grand Army of the Republic
Presented by Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War
Explore the origins and evolution of a pivotal post-Civil War veterans' organization, established in 1866 to unite Union veterans. This talk will delve into its role in fostering camaraderie, advocating for veterans' rights, and shaping national commemorative practices. Discover how this organization influenced politics, promoted patriotic education, and left a legacy through successor entities. The discussion will also highlight its local impact, including G.A.R. Post 101 in Hatboro, and its Museum and Library in Philadelphia, which continue to preserve its history.
• 11:30 am - Auditorium
The Lost Covered Bridges of Bucks and Montgomery Counties
Presented by Bucks County Covered Bridge Society
At one time, Bucks County and neighboring Montgomery County had 79 covered bridges. Today, only 12 remain—all in Bucks County. Why is the covered bridge extinct in Montgomery County? And what act led to the preservation of today’s surviving local bridges? R. Scott Bomboy is an author and historian who has frequently written about local history. He is the author of “Wooden Treasures: The Story of Bucks County’s Covered Bridges,” and the “American Hometown” book series about Perkasie. Bomboy is also chair of the Bucks County Covered Bridge Society. In his journalism career, Bomboy has received five Edward R. Murrow awards in television, and he currently is the editor of the National Constitution Center.
• 12:30 pm - Auditorium
Have Suitcase, Will Travel: The Three Stooges on the Road in the City of Brotherly Love
Presented by The Stoogeum
The Stoogeum (rhymes with museum) is home to the largest private collection of Three Stooges memorabilia (or stooge-abilia) in North America. In 2023, The Stoogeum published its first book A Tour De Farce: The Complete History of the Three Stooges on the Road by Three Stooges Fan Club president Gary Lassin which delves into a gap in Three Stooges scholarship: the Stooges’ live appearances. The Stoogeum’s registrar Michelle Squiccimara will chat about The Boys’ five decades worth of engagements throughout the Delaware Valley.
• 1:30 pm - Auditorium
Threads of Time: Morgan Log House From Farm to Fashion
Presented by Edward Morgan Log House
Join the Morgan Log House Historical Society for an engaging presentation on the history of Morgan Log House! Discover the stories behind this historic site and take a closer look at one of our current exhibits, From Farm to Fashion. Learn how clothing begins on the farm—through processes like raising sheep for wool or growing flax for linen—and how these raw materials are transformed into garments. Don't miss this opportunity to explore the fascinating connection between agriculture and fashion!
• 2:30 pm - Auditorium
A Brief History of Willow Grove Park
Presented by Old York Road Historical Society
Founded by Peoples Traction Company to increase ridership on the weekends, Willow Grove Park opened in May 1896. Famous as the summer musical capital of America, the Park attracted the likes of Victor Herbert, Walter Damrosch and John Philip Sousa. The Park reflected the cultural trends over the years and eventually closed after the 1974 season. The presenter will be David Rowland, author of Arcadia Publishing's Willow Grove Park and president of the Old York Road Historical Society.
• 10 am to 1 pm - Outdoor Front Driveway (Cafeteria if Inclement Weather)
Pop-Up Colonial Paper Making Studio Demonstration
Presented by Historic RittenhouseTown
The art of paper making has been at the heart of non-profit Historic Rittenhouse Town — a National Historic Landmark District and America’s first paper mill (founded in 1690) — which presents a papermaking workshop dedicated to teaching the public about this fun and simple exercise and its historical context. Rittenhouse Town will have its portable papermaking studio on site to allow those interested to get hands-on experience making paper. The best part is you can take it home when you're done!.
• All day - Outdoor Front Driveway (Booth in Cafeteria if Inclement Weather)
Vintage Fire Engine & Equipment Display
Presented by Enterprise Fire Company of Hatboro
Experience a piece of Hatboro's firefighting heritage as the Enterprise Fire Company showcases their vintage 1965 Mack C-95 Engine 95-3 fire engine, accompanied by historical fire equipment. This display offers a unique glimpse into the evolution of firefighting tools and technology. Please note: The fire engine will not be available if inclement weather.
• All day - Outdoor Front Driveway (Cafeteria if Inclement Weather)
Colonial Surveyor David Rittenhouse
Presented by Regimental Brewmeister Michael Carver
Regimental Brewmeister Michael Carver brings history alive through interactive portrayal of ordinary American life in the late 18th Century (1750—1799). This presentation will reenact what a surveyor was and did during Colonial times, portraying the first surveyors in America who arrived with the Jamestown Company in 1621. Given the goal of quickly settling Virginia and the vagaries of Royal Charters for Maryland, Virginia, and the Carolina colonies, surveyors were critical to establishing order in the colonies. More info: colonialbrewer.com/2025/03/08/come-to-crooked-billet-and-learn-to-survey
• All day - Outdoor Front Driveway (Cafeteria if Inclement Weather)
Simulation of The Battle of Crooked Billet in Miniature
Presented by Del-Val Gamers
Simulation of the Battle of Crooked Billet using military miniatures on a terrain board outdoors in the round.
• 10 am to 1 pm (or longer) - Registration Lobby
Ask The Doc: Orthopedic Guidance from Dr. Mark
Open Forum with Dr. Mark Ayzenberg of Iron Mountain Orthopaedic Institute
Dr. Mark Ayzenberg, MD, FAAOS, of Huntingdon Valley's Iron Mountain Orthopaedic Institute (the fair's Founders Sponsor) will be staffing his organization's table inside the fair entrance at registration where he will take questions and offer guidance on orthopedic issues — broken bones, ligament or tendons tears, muscle pain, arthritis, back and neck pain, sports injuries, and joint problems (like hips, knees, shoulders). Stop by and ask the Board-Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon general questions and find out how to avoid joint replacement.
• 10:15 am and 11 am - Meet in Registration Lobby
Keith Valley Middle School Pre-Demolition Tours
Led by Principal Jon Kircher
Keith Valley Middle School Principal Mr. Kutcher will be giving tours of the soon-to-be-demolished 67-year old school building complex in the morning at 10:15 am and 11 am. Tours last approximately 45 minutes. If you're a former KVMS student, parent, alum, or teacher, come take a tour for one last look before demolition! (Note: A special tour time will be offered at 9am for exhibitors and sponsors.)
• All day - Outdoor Front Driveway (Cafeteria if Inclement Weather)
What Did Kids Do Before The Internet? Revolutionary-Era Games
Hands-On Interactive Kids Games
Come and discover some of the toys and games that children played with during the Revolutionary War, from ball-in-cup to ninepins, whirligig and jacks, to hopscotch and games of graces, All games are hands-on and are for kids of all ages. Join us for some fun!
• All day - Library
The Battle of the Crooked Billet Movie
Presented by the Amy B. Yerkes Museum of Hatboro History
On May 1, 1778 in the town of Crooked Billet (Hatboro) the British attacked a militia unit under the leadership of General John Lacey. This skirmish will become known as the "The Battle of Crooked Billet." The story shows that the Revolution was America's first Civil War. It is a story about beating the odds. About American heroes. About the birth of a Nation. The Battle of The Crooked Billet is based on the writings of General William W. H. Davis, Charles Harper Smith and Denis J. Cook. The film portrays the events of the battle, where British forces marched from Philadelphia towards the Crooked Billet Tavern, which is now in Hatboro, Pennsylvania. Starring Sam Ricco, Steve Pepper, JaQuinley Kerr, and Anabelle Garcia.
• Snacks & Refreshments
Northeast Fudge Bar
- Inside the Exhibition Hall
Small-batch homemade fudge whipped the old-fashioned way to ensure consistency of quality and creaminess.
Rita's Italian Ice of Warrington
- Outside in the Front Driveway (Cafeteria if Inclement Weather)
A sure sign of spring… Rita’s is open! Celebrate with your fav Rita’s treat and your favorite Philly Pretzel Factory soft pretzels. Ice, Custard, Happiness.
