Our History

Olympians, soldiers and abolitionists have all hailed from the bustling streets of Norristown.

Beginning as a modest seventeenth-century settlement along the Schuylkill River, Norristown became an industrial boomtown and attracted waves of immigrants to its forges, railways and mills. "The Biggest Borough in the World," once Norristown's self-proclaimed slogan, quite easily could have been referred to as the original "City of Big Shoulders," considering the industrious nature of the town.

The Dutch, Welsh and English were the first to arrive in this area in the early 1600s. When Montgomery County was established in 1784, the Town of Norris was quickly formed as the county seat.

The Borough of Norristown was established on March 31, 1812. The first official day of business was conducted on May 1, 1812, and after an election of officers, the first act of council was to have the town clerk keep and possess a common seal. Twenty-one years later, the beehive that adorns the common seal was created by David Kneas, an engraver for the U.S. Mint.

Fervet Opus, which is Latin for 'the work boils,' was chosen as the slogan. From its humble beginnings, Norristown seemed on a path of perpetual growth. Like many other urban areas throughout the United States, Norristown was left behind by the advent of the suburban mall. Through a period of decline, Norristown has maintained its character and is showing solid signs of revitalization.

Olympians can still be found among our streets, and the sleepy seventeenth-century settlement has transformed itself into a modern twenty-first century destination.

For more information on the history of Norristown and Montgomery County, visit the Historical Society website at www.hsmcpa.org.

Selma Mansion

Selma Mansion located at 1301 West Airy Street was built by Andrew Porter in 1794. Mr. Porter was commissioned a captain in 1776 by the Continental Congress. He was assigned to the frigate Effingham during the Revolutionary War, becoming one of the founders of the U.S. Marine Corps, and eventually attaining the rank of brigade general.

Selma (Gaelic for "High Seat") was the boyhood home of his sons David Rittenhouse Porter, who served as governor of Pennsylvania from 1839-1845 and James Madison Porter, Secretary of War under President John Tyler and founder of Lafayette College in Easton.

Selma was acquired by The Norristown Preservation Society in 2006 with the hope of restoration. Interested parties should write NPS P.O. Box 2097, Norristown PA 19404 or visit www.norristownpreservationsociety.org for information on how they may help.