Worcester Historical Society - Worcester Township, PA

Farmers' Union Hall
2011 Valley Forge Road, Village of Center Point

Farmers Union Hall was built in 1895 by the Farmers Union of Montgomery County, a group of Worcester farmers which was organized for the mutual welfare and advancement of "Agriculture, Education, Progress and Public Improvement" for farmers and the township. The Alumni Association of Worcester Township assisted with the cost of building the Hall.

Built by volunteer labor and donations, this building embodies the versatility, industriousness, and strong community ties of the Worcester farming community. Originally, the lower level contained a stabling area for up to 40 horses. This was later blacktopped and used for community gatherings.

From 1908 to 1911, the building housed Worcester's High School. School plays, graduations, and community events were held in the Hall for many years and are still recalled by the township's oldest residents.

From 1932 to 1942, the Center Point Egg Auction was held in the lower level. By the 1950s, the Farmers Union had dissolved, and the building was transferred to Worcester Township. From 1967 to 1983, the building housed the Worcester Post Office.

In 1986, the Worcester Historical Society began leasing the building from the township to house our growing collection of historic artifacts. Today, the Hall is the home of WHS's museum and library. The building is open to the public on designated days during the year, and by appointment by calling 610-584-5619.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Worcester Historical Society is to tell the story of life in Worcester during the second half of the 19th century and continuing to the present.

By collecting and preserving artifacts of that period, we will give future generations insight into that society, its people, their family life, education, industry, and especially the farming.

WHS Open House Days

Every Saturday morning in June 9:00 a.m. to noon at Farmers Union Hall.

On Open House days at Farmers Union Hall, the public is invited to stop by to experience the tools, equipment, clothes, and household items that created life experienced of the late 19th century in Worcester. Our research library, along with our knowledgeable members, can help answer your history questions or direct you to begin a local inquiry.

We are giving away issues of the Bulletin of the Historical Society of Montgomery County to anyone who would like them. The issues available are:

1960-1966, 1967-1974, 1976-1981, Fall 1989, Spring 2002

If you are interested, please contact us at info@worcesterhistorical.org

Get the Book!

A History of Worcester Township tells the story of Worcester - its inns, churches, schools, mills, villages, and residents - from the time of William Penn to the Bicentennial, including an index to over 200 pages of information on historic homes. This 556-page book was first published in 1976 and is now in its third edition. This beautiful hardbound edition, with index, is available from the Society for $45. Contact WHS at info@worcesterhistorical.org to order.

Farmers' Union Hall
Evangelical Congregational "Old Dutchie" Church
1581 Valley Forge Road

The Evangelical Congregational Church of Worcester, or Evangelisches Versemmlangs Haus, was built in 1845 by German immigrants who fled to Pennsylvania to escape religious persecution. The congregation was referred to as the "Old Dutchie Church" by Worcester residents because of its German origins.

In 1961, the church was dissolved when most of the congregation merged with a larger group. The building was purchased in 1978 by the Friends of the Worcester Historical Society and later transferred to the Worcester Historical Society, which continues to preserve it as an important part of the township's history. Click here to read more about the church, including its role on the Underground Railroad and a catalog of its cemetery.