Farm Park

The Norristown Farm Park is an amazing resource in our community. This Montgomery County park has more than farm fields and barns. If you haven't visited, please make time to do so. There are streams and woods and walking paths and historical houses and wildlife and birds and picnic pavilions and fishing ... I could go on and on. This is a wonderful oasis of breath taking beauty away from the hustle and bustle of busy life.
 
Montgomery County Farm Park website has info on location, contacts, facilities, maps and the park bulletin.

Dear Farm Park Preservation Association (FPPA) Members and Friends,

             As you probably know by now, Pennsylvania has cut off state funding for the Norristown Farm Park .  As a result, the Park needs help – and this is where YOU come in.  Please take advantage of one or both of the volunteer opportunities described below.  Please come out and help!

Consider joining the Save the Farm Park organization at the Farm Park Preservation Association (FPPA) website.  At this site you will find information about the Norristown Farm Park, pictures of the park, a list of recent and upcoming events and information about how you can help preserve the park for future generations. FPPA MOTTO: Preserve, Protect, Promote.
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Did You Know???
Here is a letter from Mr. Sam Metz. He shares some interesting historical information about a property that many of us pass every day along the Farm Park.

" dieses alte Haus "

I am not a resident of East Norriton. I do not know anyone personally in East Norriton. In fact, by road, my home is some 2,666 miles from 660 West Germantown Pike Road. So first I will explain my connection to your community.

My GGGGGrandfather, Johann Jacobus Metz was one of the signers on the petition to establish Worcester as a Township in 1733. Arriving in 1730, he had purchased 100 acres from Isaac Norris in November of 1733. The names Norristown, Norriton were born of Isaac Norris. Johann had two sons, Leonard Metz and John Metz. Leonard Metz, a trustee of the Franconia Conference of Mennonites, was part of the group that purchased the land that is now the Methacton Mennonite Cemetery. Leonard married Maria Histand in 1763. Maria's Father, Hans Jacob Hiestand, arrived 1n 1737 and was the first papermaker in America. Ten children were born of this union, the eight being Abraham Metz. Abraham, born April 7, 1777 married Elizabeth Bossert on March 22, 1807. Abraham had purchased land from Josiah Bryden, a tobacconist around 1802. The land was originally part of the Hannah Harrison Plantation. Shortly after, Abraham built a home at 542 Whitehall Road which still existed until a few years ago. This house was given to his daughter and her husband Daniel Hendricks. It was reduced to rubble, and no trace of it remains today. In 1835 Abraham built a new home at the corner of Germantown Pike and Whitehall Road, 660 West Germantown Pike Road. At 58 years of age this was quite an undertaking. At least one of his sons was a carpenter who participated in the construction of this house. A few years after it was built it was turned over to his son Leonard, the weaver, and his wife Sarah Yost. In 1872 it was sold to David Yost. This home was purchased by the Commonwealth, the People of the State of Pennsylvania, in 1918. The property is part of, and is on the site of the Farm Park. Each of the individuals associated with this property have made unique contributions to the development and history of the area.

As you are aware, the Einstein Hospital Group has purchased property across the street, and plans are in place for a new facility. Part of the project includes widening of Germantown Pike and Whitehall Road to accommodate the increased traffic load. As I understand, Germantown Pike is already stressed. Senator Rafferty has already endorsed a bond to fund the building. It would appear that the future of this home has been determined .... removal. It also appears that there were options available to the hospital which may have been more cost effective.

This short history of " this old house " is an attempt for awareness of the deterioration of values in preserving the history of your community, and our country .....
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Farm Park Governance

The Norristown Farm Park Supervisor is:


The governing body for the Farm Park is called the Norristown Farm Park Advisory Committee.  The Farm Park is land that is owned by the State of Pennsylvania and leased to Montgomery County.  Parts of the Farm Park are in East Norriton Township, West Norriton Township and Norristown Borough.  Therefore, the Advisory Committee is a group of elected officials and staff from all these jurisdictions (see the 2009 members listed below). 

Questions can be directed to the NFP secretary:  Lee Lentz (610-270-0215)

Norristown Farm Park Advisory Committee Members

Current Members

Honorable Mike Vereb, PA House of Representatives, 150th Legislative District

Honorable Jay Moyer, PA House of Representatives, 70th Legislative District

Honorable John C. Rafferty, Jr., PA State Senate, 44th Legislative District

Honorable Constance H. Williams, PA State Senate, 17th Legislative District

Helmuth Baerwald, East Norriton Township Manager

Joseph J. Hein, Township Manager, West Norriton Township

Ad Hoc Members

Kenneth Lewis, Assistance Regional Manager, Bureau of State Parks Region 4

The Farm Park Preservation Association (FPPA) - the Save the Farm Park organization - attends all Advisory Committee meetings.