Art Through the Seasons

Art, like the seasons themselves, is ever-changing and ever-evolving. Here in Montgomery County, our museums, exhibits, and sites are home to a wide variety of art that you can check out through the seasons:

MENNONITE HERITAGE CENTER Harleysville

Enjoy exhibits and programs that tell the story of Mennonite faith and life in southeastern Pennsylvania. Research genealogy and local history in the historical library. The beautifully reconstructed historic barn houses art and Mennonite fraktur (artistic script) from Eastern Pennsylvania, many of which date back to the founding of PA’s Mennonite community in the early 18th century!

Around the holidays, the Mennonite Heritage Center is the ideal place for those looking to learn about Mennonite holiday traditions and customs.

BRYN ATHYN CATHEDRAL & GLENCAIRN MUSEUM Bryn Athyn

Bryn Athyn, PA is home to one of Montgomery County’s most beautiful architectural marvels and sites of worship, Bryn Athyn Cathedral. From its beautiful weekly and special holiday services, to its impressive gothic architecture and stained-glass windows, the cathedral is the ideal place for art enthusiasts to check out during the winter holidays!

Right next door to the cathedral is the Glencairn Museum. Built between 1928 and 1939 in Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania, was once the home of Raymond and Mildred (Glenn) Pitcairn and their children. The building now serves as a not-for-profit museum of religious art and history. Collections include ancient Egyptian, ancient Greek and Roman, medieval Christian, Islamic, Asian, and Native American artwork.

BETH SHOLOM Elkins Park

Beth Sholom Synagogue, Montco’s “House of Peace”, is one of the county’s largest congregations and certainly it’s most recognizable. Designed by famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright, each element of Wright’s design was carefully crafted with a contemporary approach to Jewish faith, history, and religious practice. The Mayan Revival-style building is layered with symbolism, from the mountain-like silhouette suggesting the ascent to Mount Sinai to the representations of Menorahs and even the stone tablets given to Moses.

PENNYPACK ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION TRUST Huntingdon Valley

leashed dogs allowed on select trails

Many of the centers on this list focus on educating and inspiring kids about the world around them. The Pennypack Trust promotes fun outdoors, but their main priorities are research and natural preservation – for example, ensuring dogs and humans avoid precious bird breeding areas. In addition to hiking the 11 miles of trails, visitors can enjoy yoga, tai chi, meditation, and birdwatching walks.

JOHN JAMES AUDUBON CENTER AT MILL GROVE Audubon

no dogs allowed on hiking trails but permitted on paved outer trail The largest and most historically focused center of this list, the Audubon Center at Mill Grove, features 5 miles of marked trails, including the paved wheelchair-accessible Audubon Loop. Be sure to greet the resident bird ambassadors – trainers take them to schools, conferences, and other events to teach about conservation. You can also explore the museum’s interactive exhibits on bird life cycles and naturalist John James Audubon.

no dogs allowed

Robbins Park was created to teach all levels of Upper Dublin School District students about sustainability, so while you bring your picnic down to Creepy Pond, you might see some budding ecologists or Eagle Scouts out for observation. Anyone can be a student here due to the accessible paved trail, ten interpretive signs throughout the 38-acre park, and teaching features like a vegetable garden and rain barrels.

RIVERBEND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTER Gladwyne

leashed dogs allowed

School is always in session at Riverbend, with year-round camps, field trips from Norristown Area School District, and an innovative aquaponics greenhouse program that teaches students about fish husbandry and growing plants in water. Members of the public can enjoy the bird observation area, which has plenty of food and shelter for feathered friends. Though there’s much to do onsite in Gladwyne, this 30acre nature center also provides fun at home with their annual spooky mystery game, ShiverQuest.