Hope and History

Norristown celebrates being 200 years young this year! Established in 1812, Norristown has been through many ups and down the past two centuries. But it is rare that people live in a place so rich with history. As we celebrate our bicentennial, everyone in Norristown should take a moment to remember and reflect on several things.

People of importance

Norristown’s theme is “Always busy.” And certainly, there is a long list of accomplished persons who demonstrate how busy the municipality has been. From former governors, like David Rittenhouse Porter of the 19^th century, to 2012 London Olympic medalist Lisa Raymond to jazz musician Jimmy Smith, Norristown has produced women and men of significance. Norristown is a small town, but we have made a big impact in the world of the arts, in the realm of politics and on the athletic field with numerous accomplished people.

Places of significance

Norristown is not only one of the oldest municipalities in Pennsylvania it is also the county seat of Montgomery County. Montgomery County is the third-largest county in the state behind Philadelphia and Allegheny Counties. It is also one of the wealthiest in the state and in the nation. As the center of county government and political life, Norristown plays an important role in the day-to-day lives of thousands directly who do not live within our borders and tens of thousands indirectly. Norristown is old enough to witness Democrats come to power in the County Courthouse in more than 140 years, and it not be the first time. Norristown was there the first time it happened!

Rich past, promising future

Every day I learn something new about Norristown. That new information might be that retired Los Angeles Dodges manager Tommy Lasorda was born here, or that Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., frequently visited a local Baptist church in town while a seminary student in the region, or that in downtown at One Montgomery Plaza, the seat of county government, there was located a church which had housed African Americans fleeing slavery down south for freedom in the north through the underground railroad. Norristownians should express pride in those accomplishments. These milestones often took place during difficult times, or in less-than-ideal circumstances. That simply means, right now, Norristown can and will still accomplish many great things in spite of challenging times and difficult circumstances.

Norristown has hosted several enjoyable and meaningful events to celebrate its bicentennial, and there are more events to come this year! We can look back with a renewed sense of purpose, with a commitment to get busy making Norristown the place we want it to be in the future.