The Muhlenbergs and The American Revolution by Dr. Emily Sneff
Dr. Emily Sneff is an early American historian and leading expert on the Declaration of Independence. She earned her Ph.D. in History from William & Mary. She was a consulting curator for exhibitions marking the 250th anniversary of the Declaration at the Museum of the American Revolution and Historic Trappe. She is the author of When the Declaration of Independence Was News.
On May 27, Dr. Emily Sneff addressed the Society about the enormous contributions of one family – the Muhlenbergs – to the early history of America, including the American Revolution.
Family patriarch Henry Muhlenberg, an immigrant from Germany, was a primary founder of the Lutheran Church in America. His son Peter was a general in George Washington’s army and later a United States senator, and his son Frederick was a member of the Continental Congress, first speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and first signer of the Bill of Rights.
The Trappe family was based at what today is Historic Trappe, a cluster of 18th Century buildings along East Ridge Pike west of Collegeville. The Society recently donated its Varnum’s Headquarters (from Valley Forge) Collection of 18th Century artifacts to help furnish The Speaker’s House at the site. The Society and its Color Guard participated in dedication of The Speaker’s House in April.
Dr. Sneff’s lecture was part of the PSSR’s regular series of talks at Historic Waynesborough on Revolutionary War topics. She signed copies of her new book, When the Declaration of Independence Was News, for appreciative Society members.
In attendance was Peter Stokes, a descendant of Henry and Frederick Muhlenberg.
PSSR Member Peter Stokes and Dr. Emily Sneff