Perkasie Park Named To National Register Of Historic Places
For the first time in more than five years, the National Park Service has added a Bucks County property to the National Register of Historic Places: the Victorian camp-meeting grounds and cottages at Perkasie Park.
Edson Beall, the historian for the National Park Service, made the announcement on September 8, 2016. Perkasie Park becomes the 160th property in Bucks County to be named to the National Register. In 1966, Washington’s Crossing State Park and Andalusia were the first county properties named to the Register; in April 2011, the Quakertown Historic District was the most recent honoree. To be known as the Perkasie Park Historic District, the privately owned facility on Ninth Street in Perkasie becomes the second National Register property in the Borough, joining the 1832 South Perkasie Covered Bridge. “I am grateful for the recognition by the National Park Service of the Park's historically significant past. The Park's founders and the many generations of cottagers who have gone before us would be delighted by this honor,” said Frank Pezzanite, president of the Perkasie Park Association. “The designation of the Park as a Historical District will help it survive intact for generations to come.” The park’s researchers first starting working on the nomination process in May 2014, in conjunction with Wise Preservation of Chester Springs, Pa. Perkasie Park is one of a handful of intact camp-meeting facilities that continue in operation in Pennsylvania. It has had summertime religious services since 1882, and Perkasie Park’s historic outdoor auditorium has hosted secular public events for the past 134 years. The facility has 66 buildings, including 60 Victorian cottages. The Park Service found 63 of the 66 structures were contributing historic structures. The Pennsylvania Historic Preservation Board unanimously had approved the Perkasie Park nomination in February 2016. Perkasie Park, founded in 1882, was recognized as a significant property associated with the American camp meeting movement of the late 19th and early 20th Century, and for its design and architecture. During the Victorian era, Perkasie Park was the second biggest public attraction in Bucks County, next to the annual county fair, and at its peak, the Park’s camp meeting had 23,000 visitors, with 2,000 teams of horses, at its 1890 Sunday camp meeting. It also served as an important train and trolley destination for the growing Borough. In 2015, Perkasie Borough recognized Perkasie Park as a historic structure, and its nomination to the National Register was supported by U.S. House Representative Michael Fitzpatrick, Pennsylvania state Representative Craig Staats, former state Representative Paul Clymer, and the Bucks County Board of Commissioners. The National Register of Historic Places was established in 1966 to help coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect our historic and archeological resources. For More Information, contact: Frank Pezzanite President, Perkasie Park Association fpezzanite@gmail.com |
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Perkasie Park History Presentation
These are slides, nearly 90 of them, from our history presentation given to the Perkasie Historical Society in September 2013. Thanks to everyone who contributed photos and information.
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Park Video From 1993
Enjoy a drive around Perkasie Park on Memorial Day in 1993.
The Perkasie Park Association
The PPA is a nonprofit organization that owns and operates the current Perkasie Park.
The park is privately owned and its members keep the heritage of the park going strong. The public is allowed in the park for certain events during the summer. What Is Perkasie? It's More Than A Town
Perkasie may be the best-kept secret in Bucks County. The area is rich in history--going back to the days of William Penn,
Modern Perkasie is a diverse small-town community that's close to Philadelphia, New Hope and Lancaster County. Learn more about Perkasie. Quotes From The Past
"To those seeking rest for the body, stimulus for the mind and profit for the soul, we extend a cordial invitation." -- Park souvenir booklet, 1924 |
Pictures of The Park Since 1898
Go back in time and see what life was like in a Victorian summer village.
Our Proud Historic Sponsors!
Between 1898 and 1927, only the best businesses in Perkasie and other locations sponsored our annual Souvenir booklet. Check out the ads below!
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