Gather Place Holding Christmas Open House

YARDLEY BOROUGH, PA — Gather Place is spreading a little holiday cheer this year.

The Bucks County museum will hold a Christmas Open House from Noon to 3 p.m. Saturday at its location on South Canal Street. See the flyer below for more details

Headquartered in the historic African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church of Yardley (est. 1877), Gather Place Museum’s history is deeply rooted in Yardley Borough’s Quaker heritage.

The property, originally part of the Yardley family estate and historically known as the Boatyard Lot, dates back to the village’s founding in 1682 by Quaker William Yeardley.

In 1817, a hay press barn existed on this site and served as a gathering place for African American worshippers, leading to the establishment of the "Free Peoples Church," later known as "The Colored Church" (est. 1817).

The space became a hub for its worshippers and played a role in Yardley Borough’s Underground Railroad network.

Today, the sacred landmark is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and recognized by the Bucks County Heritage Conservancy, honoring its enduring legacy as a cornerstone of freedom and resilience.

Under the stewardship of Executive Director Shirley Lee Corsey, a third-generation Yardley Borough resident and the AME Church of Yardley’s conservator since July 2022, Gather Place Museum is dedicated to preserving and sharing the rich cultural heritage of African Americans in the region.