Misplaced Pages

#820179

26-678: It is physically located in Upper Merion Township . Reverend Burk was rector of an Episcopal church in nearby Norristown . The money for the chapel was raised in small increments, and its stone walls were built a "few feet at a time." Burk was active in trying to preserve Valley Forge and in the establishment of the Valley Forge Museum of American History , predecessor to the Valley Forge Historical Society . A previous attempt to build

52-473: A female householder with no husband present, and 38.3% were non-families. 29.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.91. In the township, the population was spread out, with 18.7% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 33.8% from 25 to 44, 24.3% from 45 to 64, and 15.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age

78-491: A massive steel Plant and Coking Facility in Swedeland in 1919; this brought forth a need for additional housing. Alan Wood Steel operated into the early 1980s. The Swedeland Volunteer Fire Company was formed in 1920 and continues to protect the citizens of Upper Merion and nearby communities. Swedeland has continued its industrial heritage and is surrounded by pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline , chemical manufacturer Lonza,

104-522: A memorial church at Valley Forge had been launched in 1885 by Baptist minister James M. Guthrie, who raised funds and began building before running out of funds. June 19, 1903 marked the 125th anniversary of the evacuation of the Continental Army from Valley Forge , and the cornerstone was laid on property donated by the I. Heston Todd family. A small wood-framed building nearby preceded the present structure. President Theodore Roosevelt visited

130-745: A model of the Washington Monument across from the Chapel which marks the grave of Lieutenant John Waterman. The Bell Tower houses the DAR Patriot Rolls, listing those that served in the Revolutionary War . The National Patriots Bell Tower was a later addition to the Chapel, and houses its carillon . The 102 ft (31 m) tower was built entirely with funds raised by members of the National Society of

156-584: A temporary wooden tower in 1926, and the number of bells expanded over the course of three decades. Fifty-six bells were installed in the bell tower in 1953, and expanded to 58 bells in 1963 with two bells from the Fonderie Paccard in France. The bell tower is played regularly by a resident carillonneur . Concerts, both formal and informal, are held throughout the year and are open to the public. Upper Merion Township Upper Merion Township

182-519: Is a township in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania , United States. The population was 33,613 at the 2020 U.S. Census. Located 16 miles (26 km) from Philadelphia , it consists of the villages of Gulph Mills , King of Prussia , Swedeland , Swedesburg , and portions of Radnor , and Wayne . The westernmost part of the township comprises the largest part of the 1,300-acre (5 km ) Valley Forge National Historical Park . The township

208-473: Is a small unincorporated community that is located in Upper Merion Township , Montgomery County , Pennsylvania, United States, in the suburbs of Philadelphia . As of the 2020 United States census the population was 1,495. It was founded as " Matsunk " by Swedish settlers in 1710. The name was changed to Swedeland sometime in the late 19th century. Situated along the Schuylkill River and

234-744: Is the home of the King of Prussia mall, the third-largest shopping mall in the United States in terms of gross leasable area . King of Prussia also contains a major office park hosting firms such as Lockheed Martin and GlaxoSmithKline . The name Merion originates with the county of Merioneth in north Wales. Merioneth is an English-language translation of the Welsh Meirionnydd , itself named after Meirchion (or Meirion ), grandson of Cunedda Wledig (b. ca. 380 A.D.), King of North Wales. The township's incorporation dates to 1713 when

260-413: Is water. Upper Merion has a hot-summer humid continental climate ( Dfa ) and the hardiness zone is 7a. It is drained by the Schuylkill River which forms its natural northern and eastern boundary. Upper Merion Township is home to Valley Forge National Historical Park , which consists of the site where General George Washington and the Continental Army made their encampment at Valley Forge during

286-538: The Women's Suffrage movement. In 1920, after touring many parts of the country to promote the passing of the 19 th Amendment , the bell was stored on the grounds of Valley Forge National Park before being permanently moved to the bell tower chamber in 1943. The bell tower contains a traditional carillon, with a keyboard of 58 bells. The first 14 bells (from the Meneely Bell Foundry ) were installed in

SECTION 10

#1732780176821

312-476: The poverty line , including 1.6% of those under age 18 and 3.1% of those age 65 or over. Upper Merion Township is run by an elected five person Board of Supervisors, each of whom serve staggered six year terms. The current supervisors are Chairperson Carole Kenney (D), Vice Chairperson Tina Garzillo (D), Greg Waks (D), Greg Philips (D) and Bill Jenaway (D). Other than Garzillo, who was appointed in June 2018 to finish

338-517: The 2020 census, the township was 69.1% White, 6.5% Black or African American, 0.0% Native American, 19.6% Asian, and 3.5% were two or more races. 4.0% of the population were of Hispanic or Latino ancestry [1] . As of the 2000 census, there were 26,863 people, 11,575 households, and 7,141 families residing in the township. The population density was 1,593.3 inhabitants per square mile (615.2/km ). There were 12,151 housing units at an average density of 720.7 per square mile (278.3/km ). The racial makeup of

364-623: The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) over a period of more than a decade. Construction began in 1941, but was suspended due to World War II, and restarted in 1949. The bell tower was completed and dedicated in 1953. The Justice Bell (Women's Liberty Bell) is on permanent display in the bell tower chamber. It was forged in 1915 as a nearly identical replica of the Liberty Bell , and became an instrumental symbol of

390-594: The Inn, first called Berry's Tavern, got its name to lure in Prussian mercenaries who spent freely. Upper Merion Township is a township of the second class under Pennsylvania state statutes. A five-member Board of Supervisors, elected at large for staggered six-year terms, governs it. The Board passes legislation and sets overall policy for the Township. A professional township manager runs the day-to-day operations overseeing

416-767: The King of Prussia Inn, the Bird-In-Hand Inn in Gulph Mills, and later the Swedes Ford Inn were required to pay 6 shillings to the Pennsylvania legislature for licenses. The King of Prussia Inn , built in 1719, captures the historical flavor of the township. It was named in honor of Frederick the Great , but became known during the Revolutionary War as a center of food and drink. An alternate story says

442-691: The Matsunk Creek, this Swedish village was composed of roughly nineteen homes. After the conquering of the Swedish colony by the Dutch, followed by English control, in 1664, a third generation settler with the New Sweden Colony named Peter Yocum the Third (1678–1753) established Swedeland. William Penn offered the Swedish and Finnish colonists land from his grant in this Upper Merion area. By

468-592: The activities of 250 full and part-time employees. The King of Prussia Inn , Poplar Lane , the Washington Memorial Chapel , Hanging Rock and Gulph Mills Bridge are listed on the National Register of Historic Places . According to the U.S. Census Bureau , the township has a total area of 17.2 square miles (44.7 km ), of which 16.9 square miles (43.7 km ) is land and 0.4 square mile (1.0 km ) (2.20%)

494-585: The mid-nineteenth century, Abraham Supplee operated a factory producing Kentucky Jean , employing some twenty-five hands. The extensive works of the Swede Iron Company were also located here, consisting of two large furnaces and a railroad line leading from the iron ore mines to the Schuylkill River. The land in the vicinity Swedeland/Matsunk was known for its fertile soil, limestone and iron ore quarries. The Alan Wood Steel Company built

520-479: The site and gave an address in 1904, and the original wooden building was named the Theodore Roosevelt Chapel . It was demolished after completion of the present chapel. The Chapel's exterior was completed in 1917 and its interior in 1921. It serves as a wayside chapel to those who visit Valley Forge National Historical Park, and is open to the public. Noted ironsmith Samuel Yellin produced

546-1317: The term of Erika Spott (D), there has not been a change in the composition of the Board of Supervisors since January 2012 and each of the current Supervisors (other than Garzillo) was re-elected by a significantly greater margin than originally elected. The Chairperson and Vice Chairperson are elected every year in January by their fellow Supervisors. The recent Chairs of the Upper Merion Township Board of Supervisors: 2022: Carole Kenney; 2021: Bill Jenaway; 2020: Bill Jenaway; 2019: Greg Waks; 2018: Greg Philips; 2017: Bill Jenaway; 2016: Bill Jenaway; 2015: Greg Philips (from January–April); Erika Spott (from May–December); 2014: Greg Waks; 2013: Greg Waks; 2012: Erika Spott; 2011: Ed McBride (R); 2010: Joe Bartlett (R); 2009: Scott Sibley (R); 2008: Scott Sibley (R) Municipal general election results from 2001–Present: Vote Total Vote Total Vote Total Vote Total 3294 2138 2880 2693 2243 2184 2190 2015 1644 1357 2747 2681 2537 2424 2334 2291 3185 3048 2978 2930 2564 2272 3602 3446 2330 2240 3485 Swedeland, Pennsylvania Swedeland

SECTION 20

#1732780176821

572-406: The township was 84.75% White , 4.63% African American , 0.13% Native American , 8.45% Asian , 0.05% Pacific Islander , 0.66% from other races , and 1.32% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.79% of the population. There were 11,575 households, out of which 23.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.3% were married couples living together, 6.8% had

598-677: The winter of 1777–78 in the American Revolutionary War . King of Prussia , which is the third largest mall in the United States in terms of leasable space with over 450 stores, is located in Upper Merion Township. Other points of interest in Upper Merion Township include the Valley Forge Casino Resort , the King of Prussia Town Center and the King of Prussia Volunteer Fire Company 9/11 Memorial . Old Swedes Church (Christ Church)

624-466: The wrought iron gates, hardware, and locks. He was one of many artisans to produce sculptures, stonework, stained glass, and metal work. The interior woodwork was supplied by cabinetmaker Edward Maene (1852–1931). The Chapel can appear to visitors to be a part of the park, given its central location. However, the Chapel and surrounding property belong to the Episcopal Church. There is

650-414: Was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.9 males. The median income for a household in the township was $ 65,636, and the median income for a family was $ 78,690. Males had a median income of $ 51,247 versus $ 38,166 for females. The per capita income for the township was $ 34,961. About 1.3% of families and 2.9% of the population were below

676-534: Was dedicated June 25, 1760, in Swedesburg, replacing a simple log cabin dating to 1735. The original church had served as both a church and school until Christ Church was built. The stained glass windows tell the story of the history of the Swedish colony of New Sweden . After crossing the Schuylkill River at Swedesford on December 13, 1777, General George Washington and his troops visited Old Swedes Church and encamped there before going on to Valley Forge. As of

#820179