Category Archives: News

The King of Prussia Historical Society now accepts membership dues payments and donations via PayPal.

Photo courtesy of David Montalvo

On January 9, 2016, at our annual business meeting, the subject of the accident and damage to the marker stone from the Trout Creek Bridge on West Valley Forge Road was brought up.  Concerned members were worried that the marker stone was damaged in the accident, as it no longer appeared to be intact.

Following the meeting, board members Russell Rubert and David Montalvo both visited the scene and were able to locate the marble marker.  David moved it to a safe location next to a tree by the stream, and both he and Russell left, knowing that no damage appeared to have befallen the marker.

Bridge before accident

In February, Russell Rubert again visited the site and noticed that the marker was no longer in the spot where he and David Montalvo had left it.  Both David and Russell began a series of inquiries to the township, local newspapers, and the state, to see if anyone had the marker in their possession.  He soon learned that neither the state nor the township had taken possession of the marker, and set out to find it.  On February 10, he discovered that the marker had slipped from its resting place and slid down the bank, coming to rest by the edge of Trout Creek.  Russell then took possession of the stone, and removed it.  His thinking was that the historical society would keep it safely in their possession until such time as the bridge was repaired and it could be reinstalled, all with the blessing of one of the township supervisors.  He also contacted PA Department of Transportation, to let them know that the stone was safely in his possession.

On February 19, Russell Rubert was contacted by Steve Bartkovich, E.I.T. (Bridge Inspection, PA Department of Transportation / Engineering Districe 6-0 / Bridge Unit / 7000 Geerdes Boulevard / King of Prussia, PA  19406), thanking him for “your interest in the historic bridge and the lengths you took to preserve this irreplaceable plaque for us.”  He also went on to say that PennDOT would like the plaque back in their possession so that when they rebuild the bridge it could be reinstalled.

On February 23, 2016 a PennDOT representative met Russell Rubert at his place of business to receive the plaque. It is now in the hands of PennDOT.  Russell Rubert commented that he hoped the plaque would indeed be reinstalled on the historic bridge in a timely manner, and not end up in a warehouse somewhere next to the Arc of the Covenant!

The King of Prussia Historical Society would like to thank both Russell Rubert and David Montalvo for their efforts in saving an irreplaceable piece of history.  We commend your dedication to local history and thank you for your hard work.

(Printed in The King of Prussia Gazette, Spring 2016 issue)

Through the generosity of Wayne Moving & Storage (their story follows), the following list of artifacts are now safely resting together in a secure storage facility.

1. KoP Inn sign (144″ x 13″ x 1 1/2″)
2. KoP Inn Bar Front (181″ x 41″)
3. 16’0” Bins from KoP General Store
4. Wheelbarrow used by Allen Pugh to get the mail from the Chester Valley Train
5. 2@ Mail Bags (newer ones, made of cloth)
6. Underwood typewriter from Port Kennedy Post Office
7. Nor-View Farm Road Sign
8. 2@ KoP Antique Shop Road Signs
9. Cast Iron spout support (decorative PA ironwork) from the well pump at the KoP Inn
10. Mechanical Cash Drawer with combination knobs

The cost to recently collect these priceless artifacts was over $500, and not in the society’s budget for 2015.  Please help us today with a donation to help offset the cost of moving our treasures to a secure location.

One of the Society’s long-term goals is to make these artifacts and our other treasures accessible to the public in a convenient location. With the continued support of our members, friends, community, and companies like Wayne Moving & Storage, the dream of a museum can one day be realized.

Here is their story:

Wayne has been operating in the Tri-State Area for over 30 years.  We began as a family business which has now grown to one of the largest locally owned and managed moving and storage companies in the region.  We attribute this growth to our team of experienced professionals, who when paired with the vast resources Wayne has available, sets us apart from our competition. 
 
We regularly work with hundreds of companies in the Delaware Valley each year – from small businesses to Fortune 500 Companies.  Due to our unyielding commitment to customer service and drive to offer turn-key services, much of our business is repeat business.  In order to offer single-source solutions, Wayne provides the following services:  Office & Industrial Relocations; Interstate and International Household Goods Relocations; Warehousing Services, including Receiving, Storage, and Delivery; Modular Furniture Installation and Modification; Hospitality FF&E Services; Laboratory, IT, and Sensitive Equipment Relocations; Library and File Room Relocations; Scholastic Relocation and Renovation Support; and Records Storage Services.
 
Our goal is to offer you a relocation service that is designed to be practical and efficient while ensuring your project is completed on time, per plan, and within budget.  We also realize that our impact on the relocation process is not limited only to providing a trucking service, but to maintain involvement by lending assistance, advice, input, and follow-up throughout the project’s life cycle.  Wayne Moving & Storage Company’s responsibility is to utilize our expertise to plan and prepare your organization for the challenges that moving from one place to another can present, ensuring you are ready for a smooth, controlled relocation.

The Upper Merion Board of Community Assistance awarded more than $145,000 to 38 organizations and 30 students at a private reception Tuesday at The Radisson. The BCA was established by the Upper Merion Board of Supervisors and Valley Forge Casino Resort to provide grants to organizations that serve Upper Merion residents and scholarships to high school seniors from the township who are continuing their education.

Below is a picture from The Times Herald where Society President and Secretary, Michael Morrison and Marianne Hopper, accept a $4,000 check for our Keystone Marker Restoration Project.

The Awards Presentation and Reception of the Board of Community Assistance and Board of Supervisors at the Valley Forge Casino. Tuesday, June 23, 2015. Adrianna Hoff—The Times Herald.

BCA 2015 Grant Certificate