Volunteers are the Heart of HPHA

The Pennrose Strawbridge House is a major historical restoration and maintenance project. A lot of the work to restore the property and maintain it on a day to day basis has been with the help of volunteers.

We are the grateful beneficiaries of around 3,800 volunteer hours each year.

To all those who have helped - Thank You. To all those who may be interested, please keep reading and contact us if you'd like to participate.

Community Service - Volunteer Weekend

The 1st weekend of each month is Community Service Weekend at the Pennrose Strawbridge House. While we welcome volunteers at any time, we set aside this time each month for larger projects where we require a larger number of people.

This type of service may meet the community service requirements for:

• High School Senior Project
• National Honor Society
• Eagle Scout
• Corporate sponsored service initiatives
• Adults and Youths required to perform Community Service per ARD, Youth Services, or other programs
• Retired folks who would like to get involved with an interesting project and give back to their community

How can you help?

Our main project at HPHA is the Pennrose Strawbridge House. Parts of this house date back to the early 1721 when it was used to house craftsmen building the Keith House right next door. HPHA is working to not only restore this property but to learn as much as we can about the property and its role in colonial life. Plus, we need to maintain a 10 acre estate. So there's lots to do.

Where can you help?

Landscaping and Lawn Care - we've got 4 acres of grass to mow every week and lots of leaves to rake in the fall. We can always use some help. Equipment is also needed - if you have a tractor or riding or a push mower that you'd like to donate (we'll document it as a charitable contribution), please contact us.

Small Engine Mechanic - we have over 12 pieces of gasoline powered lawn equipment that are in frequent use plus 2 farm tractors: an International Harvester 574 and a Farmall Super A that are always in need of some TLC.

Gardening - we have a small organic community garden on the property than we cultivate from the spring into the fall and gardeners/farmers (you must be a member) are always welcome. You can help with the main garden - or if you'd like your own little farm - we can probably set you up. We also have concord grape vines and various fruit trees that need to be cared for, and with fruit to be harvested in the fall.

Restoration - the Pennrose Strawbridge House is a major restoration project and we can always use people with an interest and talent in restoration work. We could especially use a Timber Framing Carpenter for the roof of the Carriage Shed, a Mason for pointing and restoration of the walls around the property, and we always have painting and painting prep work to do.

Archeology - people have been living and working at the Pennrose Strawbridge property for almost 300 years so there is a rich history buried around this property dating back to early colonial times. We have had an active dig site which unearthed many interesting artifacts but are in need of a qualified and experienced person to lead this effort.

Librarian/Curator - we are recognized as both a library and a museum and we have a large quantity of books, maps, documents and objects which are being cataloged and organized. Some of these items are also in need of restoration.

Events - HPHA hosts a number of social and fundraising events throughout the year: at the Pennrose Strawbridge House, at other local locations, and frequently in partnership with the Friends of Graeme Park. Events include our Annual Historic 5K Race/Hike, Daffodil Days, World War II re-enactment, Para-Normal Investigations,etc. Volunteers are needed to plan, organize, advertise, and work at these events. We have hosted the very successful Horsham Art Show at the beautiful Horsham Library in 2009/10 but the person who helped make this such a success has moved on, so we have an exciting opportunity for someone who would be interested in running the art show.

Beekeeping - we have a number of active honeybee hives on the property and harvest honey from the bees several times a year. The hives are managed by a professional bee-keeper but if you're interested in learning about bees or helping out, let us know.