Travels With The Post

News about travels, leisure, dining, events, entertainment, and business in Montgomery, Berks, and Chester counties PA.

Pottsgrove Manor Shows Guests How ‘Independence Ignited’
The public learned more about the Declaration of Independence, and the Colonial men and women preparing to fight for it, during a special Sunday program

Pottsgrove Manor Shows Guests How ‘Independence Ignited’

Pottsgrove Manor Shows Guests How ‘Independence Ignited’
Tents pitched Sunday outside the entrance to Pottsgrove Manor in Pottstown signaled its special event
Pottsgrove Manor Shows Guests How ‘Independence Ignited’
Justin B. Clement, historic site supervisor at Pottsgrove Manor, read and discussed phrases in the Declaration of Independence

POTTSTOWN PA – The smoke and aroma of a fire burning in an outdoor oven were the among the first, but not the only, indications of revolutionary life Sunday (July 5, 2026) on the lawn of Pottsgrove Manor, 100 W. King St.

The smell of slowly charring wood was accompanied by the sight of a nearby pair of white soldiers’ tents, erected along West King. Soldier re-enactors milled about near the manor’s rear entrance, too, talking to visitors in a crowd on its lawn.

All were gathered for the manor’s special day-after-July-Fourth program, titled “Independence Ignited.” It sought to offer “an immersive experience” that allowed guests to see the difficulties faced by the fledgling army. It also gave glimpses of the day-to-day workings inside the former home of Pottstown’s founding Potts family.

The visitors grew silent with the introduction of colonial ironmaster Col. Thomas Potts, portrayed by historic site Supervisor Justin B. Clement. He read aloud from, and also talked about, phrases and sometimes little-known meanings in the Declaration of Independence.

Pottsgrove Manor Shows Guests How ‘Independence Ignited’
Re-enactors portraying revolutionary soldiers explained their roles and answered audience questions

Photos by Joe and Debbie Zlomek for Travels With The Post

Bread for the Brave

Pottsgrove Manor Shows Guests How ‘Independence Ignited’
The soldier baking bread for his fellow fighters (left) was prepared to fight too. His arms were ready nearby (right)

Standing over a trough just a few steps beyond the oven’s heat was bread-baking demonstrator Jeff Paulik.

Pottsgrove Manor Shows Guests How ‘Independence Ignited’
Loaves of bread were easy for soldiers to carry, but more difficult to eat

His hands were covered with sticky, stretchy bread dough as he greeted visitors and talked about his task. He kneaded the dough while explaining how bread loaves served as one of – and ocassionally only the – meal staple in soldiers’ lives.

Once baked the loaves were easy to carry, he said, but often rock-hard. Most required some kind of soaking before they would be soft enough to digest, he added.

Also during the day, other presenters talked about how cannons were manufactured by the area’s ironmasters … poorly at first, but improving as they changed materials and techniques. Soldiers also were scheduled to demonstrate the use of their firearms, and the drills used to organize and prepare for battle against the British.

Pottsgrove Manor Shows Guests How ‘Independence Ignited’
Visitors had opportunities to enjoy both the outside activities, and displays within the museum
Pottsgrove Manor Shows Guests How ‘Independence Ignited’
Members of the Mahanatawny chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution were on hand to talk about their organization, and the roles they play in keeping history alive
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Our “Post Road Trip” and “Post Photo Gallery” reporting offers in-depth descriptive and visual looks – using photos, videos, and multimedia items – of places visited, events attended, and things seen within and beyond Montgomery, Berks, and Chester PA counties. Also, see and follow the Travels With The Post page on Facebook.