The Harvest Moon Prohibition Era Lawn Party will be held on Oct. 5.
Before our country proclaimed its independence, it served as the home of Samuel Morris, a creative Quaker entrepreneur with many skills. Its stately Georgian architecture served as a headquarters for George Washington’s Surgeon General John Cochran during the six-week Whitemarsh Encampment during the American Revolution. It later housed the family that lent its name to the Hope Diamond.
While it has a rich history, chances are you’ve gone by it many times without even knowing it. The Hope Lodge is a historically preserved historical site and museum, operated primarily by the Friends of Hope Lodge, a 501(c)(3) through the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC). Located at 553 S. Bethlehem Pike in Fort Washington, those commuting on the nearby Interstate 276 likely pass it several times a day and don’t notice.
But The Friends of Hope Lodge aim to change all that. The nonprofit, community-based organization supports and assists the PHMC by conducting the daily operations of the site itself.
“The purpose of the Friends is to assist in the development of the Hope Lodge site to its fullest potential as an historic site of major significance,” said Ross Frantz, treasurer of the group. The site is open to the public for special occasions, tours, and fundraising events courtesy of the Friends.
Each year, the Friends have five major events to continue their efforts. Those typically include:
But its first event of the busiest season of the Lodge is coming up quickly. The Tavern Night: Harvest Moon Prohibition Era Lawn Party will be held on Saturday, Oct. 5 from 6 to 9 p.m.
The night promises to include “hot jazz, dancing, show girls, an contests,” as it invites guests to a 1920s-themed party. Tickets are $45 for guests, or $65 for VIP entrance.
The era has been selected to highlight the timeframe of the Hope Lodge’s initial preservation-focused history. William and Alice Degn bought the building and “lovingly restored the mansion and grounds.”
“By all accounts, they enjoyed entertaining their many friends in this fine home, and one can only image what it must have been like,” said Franz. “So dust off your dancing shoes and press your party clothes, then join us for a lovely 1920s-style party.”
The evening will attempt to recreate what the Degn parties must have been like, including live music and space to dance.
“Anyone can attend,” said Franz. “You’ll swing, swig, and swoon at the music, the dancers, and the vintage offerings on display.”
The purchase of a VIP ticket will allow guests to arrive an hour ahead of the start time for early access, a VIP tent, and private daytime tours of Hope Lodge. The night will also include a champagne toast and catered buffet dinner for all.
For tickets, visit https://www.historichopelodge.org/harvestmoonlawnparty.
“Our events educate the public on the historical significance of Hope Lodge and bring awareness of the beautiful grounds surrounding the mansion,” Frantz said of the Friends’ overall goals.
By offering a vast assortment of functions and events, The Friends of Hope Lodge aspire to reach all walks of life with its programs.
“We offer a variety of events for a broad group of people,” Franz said. From educational programs about the mansion’s role in historic battles, to open-hearth cooking demonstrations, to special speakers discussing everything from the area’s birds to medicines used in the 18th century, there is a little bit of something for every interest.
Culturally, the Friends host concerts on the lawn of mansion with the Ambler Symphony. They additionally offer open space in the otherwise congested township with room to walk, play, view nature, and enjoy the beauty of surrounding gardens.
Some events are geared just toward the community’s youngest members, with children’s activities like face painting during the car show, games during colonial celebrations, and even exhibits helping students understand the rich history of the surrounding area.
The summer has provided the area entertainment with fun events such as the Second Sunday Beer Garden, not to mention its availability for weddings.
All are welcome to attend Tavern Night. Enjoy a wonderful evening under the Harvest Moon with this flash back to the 1920s. For more information on the event, visit https://www.historichopelodge.org/harvestmoonlawnparty.
For more on the organization’s ongoing offerings and events, visit https://www.historichopelodge.org/.
