The Historical Society of Montgomery County is hosting the “Downtown Then & Now” Exhibit, highlighting holiday shopping throughout the years in different Montco towns, writes The Reporter.
The exhibit honors the legacy of events like ‘Small Business Saturday,’ which aim to rekindle the interest of these historic hubs like Conshohocken’s Fayette Street.
The exhibit showcases vintage and contemporary photos, memorabilia, and artifacts from historic businesses in areas like Norristown, Ambler, and Pottstown, as well as smaller boroughs like Bridgeport, Souderton, and Lansdale.
Curator Karen Ploch explained that the display was inspired by a partnership with Fresh Artists, a nonprofit that supports public school art programs. Using historic photos provided by HSMC, local students created artwork reflecting the evolution of Montgomery County’s downtowns.
Visitors can explore unique items, such as early 1900s credit tokens from Chatlin’s department store, which operated like modern credit cards, and before-and-after photos revealing dramatic changes in the county’s commercial centers.
Ploch said that people comment on “the way certain (sites) look the way they did years ago and others are recognizable.”
Admission to the exhibit is free and open to the public during HSMC business hours, offering a nostalgic glimpse into the region’s rich retail history.
Read more about the ‘Downtown Then & Now’ exhibit in The Reporter.
