Summer 'Porch Performances' Bring Live Music, History To Montco

SCHWENKSVILLE, PA — A series of free events this summer will blend live music and history in Montgomery County.

The "porch performances" will be held at Pennypacker Mills each month, and include performers addressing a wide variety of topics in American culture and history.

Attendees are encouraged to bring a blanket or lawn chair to sit on. All events are family friendly.

The full schedule is below, according to the Montgomery County Division of Parks, Trails, and Historic Sites:

Americana Music performed by Tom Jolin

Saturday, May 22 at 4 p.m.

"Musician Tom Jolin will play traditional Americana music, mixing vocals with the hammer dulcimer, banjo, button accordion, and harmonica. Jolin has been a solo performer since 1978, performing a mix of traditional Americana, old time songs and Civil War tunes."

Alice Paul, Suffragette portrayed by Alisa Dupuy

Saturday, June 26 at 7 p.m.

"Alice Paul was a vocal leader of the 20th century women’s suffrage movement. She advocated for and helped secure passage of the 19th amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which granted women the right to vote. While many women’s groups focused on state-by-state efforts, Alice Paul believed that lobbying Congress and working for a federal law was the answer."

John Wanamaker, Merchant portrayed by Bob Gleason

Saturday, July 17 at 7 p.m.

"Hear the story of a businessman who provided variety and fun for his customers and who was rewarded for his efforts. Wanamaker was a man who was civic-minded and charitable. He fostered a progressive relationship with his employees. He made it possible for them to go to school, and built a vacation amusement place for them to use on the weekends. The vacation spot housed the biggest organ in the world, which was built for the St. Louis Centennial Exposition and was played in his store."

Stacy Roth & Bob Dupre - Colonial Frolic

Saturday, August 14 at 4 p.m.

"Roth and Dupre will present their favorite rhymes, riddles, rounds, and ditties from the 17th to early 19th centuries, with Dupre playing the guitar, fife, penny whistle, drum and limberjack. Kids will especially enjoy the interaction as the duo invites them to invent rhymes, answer riddles, and sing along, with clapping and jigging in place."

Pennypacker Mills is located just off Skippack Pike at 5 Haldeman Road in Schwenksville.