Welcome to Jacobsburg Historical Society

Jacobsburg Historical Society was an idea born in the fall of 1972. Members of various community groups worked together for a common cause: to preserve the beauty of the Bushkill Creek Valley, particularly the Henrys Woods area. They also pledged to bring to life the rich history and culture of the lost industrial community area of Jacobsburg, Filetown, and Boulton.

We are still dedicated, fifty years later, to preserving and presenting the art and industry of making early American firearms and the character of the individuals and community that created and sustained that enterprise. We have transformed the historic Henry Homestead into the internationally-known Pennsylvania Longrifle Museum, opened J. Joseph Henry’s 1832 mansion as a fascinating house museum for the public, and organized and continue to develop an important Archive that researchers use to study two hundred years of American history. And the Society continues to devise new ways to fulfill our mission. Most recently, we have digitized and made available on this website fifty years of our society’s newsletter, each issue featuring both original research and reports on society events and members.

Please consider becoming a member of the Jacobsburg Historical Society and support us with a donation to help us continue this work.

Jacobsburg Historical Society is a proud member of the Passport to History partnership.