Gather Place Joins America250PA Efforts

YARDLEY, PA —The Gather Place museum is joining the national efforts commemorating America’s 250th anniversary

The Gather Place Museum has received a $20,000 Semiquincentennial Grant from America250PA which will help support the museum’s program.

That program is called "Celebrating 250 Years of American Resilience – Yardley Borough, Bucks County, and Beyond: A Legacy of Justice and Equality."

Museum Conservator Shirley Corsey said the program showcases the region’s profound historical contributions to the nation’s founding principles of freedom and equality.

With the grant, Gather Place is now an official statewide non-profit affiliate of America250PA and participates with Bucks 250PA, the countywide initiative commemorating America’s 250th anniversary, as well.

“This grant is a testament to the extraordinary history of Yardley Borough, Bucks County and beyond, and the people who made it a place of progress and hope,” Corsey said. “We are deeply honored to be recognized by America250PA, and we are equally proud to contribute to Bucks 250PA’s countywide celebration under Commissioner Robert Harvie’s leadership. Together, we will create a meaningful and inclusive commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary.”

In the coming weeks, America250PA’s team will schedule a site visit and award presentation at Gather Place Museum. Additionally, the museum’s program details will be featured in America250PA’s comprehensive events calendar, highlighting its importance statewide.

Through programs, exhibitions, and educational initiatives celebrating freedom, equality, and resilience, Gather Place will aim to preserve its diverse heritage, inspire unity, and honor the sacrifices that shaped our nation.

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).

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

Today, this 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 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.

About Gather Place Museum

Gather Place Museum is housed in the historic African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church of Yardley, built in 1877 by African American congregants from Trenton, N.J. It honors the enduring legacy of the African American community and its Quaker roots in Yardley Borough and throughout Bucks County through preservation, education, and community engagement.

For more information about Gather Place Museum and its mission, visit www.gatherplace.org.

About America250PA

America250PA is Pennsylvania’s official organization for the nation’s Semiquincentennial celebration, dedicated to commemorating 250 years of American independence through inclusive programming that engages residents statewide.