Ambler Storytellers

26/06/2025

 Excerpts from an article from July 1986

Look at the buildings he helped construct as a laborer when he was 11. Brick by brick, stone by stone, they built Ambler. Sturdy buildings that have stood the test of time and watched silently as a town grew and changed around them.
The men who built Ambler were stone masons from the small village of Maida in southern Italy. Beginning in the late 1880s, they were brought to Ambler by Keasbey & Mattison, a huge manufacturing company. Most Italian-Americans in Ambler can trace their roots back to Maida. Nick Ciliberto is one of the last of the stone masons from Maida, he came over in 1921 . In 1986 he was 83, but still active, and he had the muscular arms and firm grip of a man who worked with his hands.

Brick and stone are reminders of another era.

24/06/2025

Keasbey and Mattison factory, showing Ambler's “White Mountains,” 1937

08/06/2025

03/06/2025

The Ambler Storytellers is a committee of the Wissahickon Valley Historical Society run by volunteer docents. We provide historical walking tours every spring and fall. To join us on the next tour you may purchase tickets on Eventbrite that is linked on our page. Next tour June 7, 2025

29/05/2025

29/05/2025

Our headquarters

The Wissahickon Valley Historical Society occupies the former 1895 School House, also known as the Whitpain High School. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2006. The former schoolhouse was specially known for its unique Victorian-style architecture that gained the attention...

30/12/2024

Hello Friends of Wissahickon Valley Historical Society and Happy New Year!

There is still time to receive your 2024 tax deduction for your contribution to help the historical society’s Franklinville School. Donations of any size are appreciated!
You can go online to https://www.wvalleyhs.org/donate/donate or mail a check, made out to “WVHS,” to P.O. Box 96, Ambler, PA 19002.
Thank you immensely if you have already contributed!
It is urgent that WVHS raise funds for the one-room 1858 Franklinville School. The structure’s stucco allows water to seep into the walls, and the remedy is exterior painting and waterproofing. Our goal is to raise $10,000. So far, in excess of $2,000 has been raised so far!
In past years, WVHS has added a new roof, repaired the front porch, updated the electricity, and improved the drainage system. Owned by the WVHS, the school is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and considered one of the historic gems of Whitpain Township. The interior depicts a 19th century classroom, shown below. The school, located on Morris Road in Blue Bell is a destination for community meetings, open house events, and school children learning about education in the “good old days.”
WVHS certainly appreciates your help with maintaining our neighborhood’s important historic landmark!

19/12/2024

This last tour closed out the season. Congratulations to all those who participated. Please look for us next spring for a new round of tours. Happy holidays and happy new year