The Rose Valley Museum at Thunderbird Lodge

Museum Open
2025-09-27 12:00 - 2025-09-28 16:00 (America/New_York) | Thunderbird Lodge, 41 Rose Valley Road, Rose Valley, PA, 19063, United States
Saturday and Sunday, September 27-28, 2025
12:00 to 4:00 pm
The Rose Valley Museum at Thunderbird Lodge will be open the weekend of September 27 and 28 from noon until 4pm.
Enjoy a step back to early 1900’s.
Tour upper and lower studios, living room and dining room.
Permanent collection on display in upper studio.
Admission: Free to members; $10 per person, 7 and up
Purchase tickets online (click here)
Please choose the appropriate date when purchasing tickets.

This Isn't Hull House
2025-09-28 16:00 - 18:00 | The School in Rose Valley, 20 School Lane, Rose Valley, PA, 19063-4214, United States
“This Isn’t Hull House”
Life at Arts & Crafts Communities in the Long Twentieth Century
Thomas A Guiler, Director of Museum Affairs for Oneida Community Mansion House will discuss the vibrant community life of Rose Valley, Roycroft and Byrdcliffe, which strove to form alternative ways to live in an industrial society. Based on his new book The Handcrafted Utopia: Arts & Crafts Communities in Progressive America (for sale and signing at the lecture), he will examine the social and cultural lives of these communities and how they interacted with one another.
Sunday, September 28, 2025, 4pm
$20 per person ($15 members)
Note location: Grace Rotzel Center at The School in Rose Valley.
Register Now!
Reservations:
Call 484-444-2961 (leave a message)
Email: programs@rosevalleymuseum.org
Payment can be made online or at the door. Click here to register online.
Parking at the School in Rose Valley at the end of School Lane.

Book Project
2025-10-05 - 2026-10-05 | Thunderbird Lodge, 41 Rose Valley Road, Rose Valley, PA, 19063, United States
“Rose Valley Arts & Crafts 1901-1916” – Book Project
The Museum is writing a comprehensive book looking at the achievements of the utopian experiment of Rose Valley in its early years.

Until now Rose Valley’s history has relied on Volume 1 of “A History of Rose Valley” compiled in 1973 by local inhabitants and “A Poor Sort of Heaven A Good Sort of Earth” by William Ayres and Ann Barton Brown for the Brandywine River Museum in 1983. Both publications are excellent sources, but need updating with attention to a broader scope, and an abundance of photographs of the work the community produced.
The book will contain approximately 300 pages, 250 images, 9 chapters and a bibliography of prominent individuals. It will cover architecture, furniture, pottery, tiles, illustration, printing, photography and the living arts. The hope is to have the hard bound edition available by July 2026, in order to be available at the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s Arts & Crafts Exhibit, with a paperback edition ready by Christmas 2026. The Museum currently has grants from the Decorative Arts Trust and the Weyth Foundation for American Art totaling $58,000. we need an extra $42,000.
Please help the “Artsman”, pictured here, carve out a beautiful Arts & Crafts book that really tells the story of this unique community in words and pictures.
Donate Now!
Donations can be made online: Click here to donate.
By mail: Check made out to RVMHS addressed to Rose Valley Museum, 41 Rose Valley Road, Rose Valley, PA 19063; please note on check “Book Project”.

Museum Open
2025-10-25 12:00 - 2025-10-26 16:00 | Thunderbird Lodge, 41 Rose Valley Road, Rose Valley, PA, 19063, United States
Saturday and Sunday, October 25-26, 2025
12:00 to 4:00 pm
The Rose Valley Museum at Thunderbird Lodge will be open the weekend of October 25 and 26 from noon until 4pm.
Enjoy a step back to early 1900’s.
Tour upper and lower studios, living room and dining room.
Permanent collection on display in upper studio.
Admission: Free to members; $10 per person, 7 and up
Purchase tickets online (click here)
Please choose the appropriate date when purchasing tickets.

Owen’s Constellations: A Costumed Celebration
2025-10-25 19:00 - 23:00 | Thunderbird Lodge, 41 Rose Valley Road, Rose Valley, PA, 19063, United States
“Owen’s Constellations: A Costumed Celebration”
A celestial evening involving the unveiling of four newly acquired D. Owen Stephens paintings, an ambient sound performance composed by local musician Alex Gaylon, and rounded out with popular music, good eats, a signature cocktail and a generally a memorable cosmic experience.
Annual fundraiser for the Museum to support the publication of Rose Valley Arts & Crafts, 1901-1916.
Saturday, October 25, 2025, 7-11pm
Donation: $85 per person ($75 members)
Spend a Halloween evening at the Museum starting with a historical unveiling of four newly acquired D. Owen Stephens paintings by Curator Ryan Berley, followed by an hour ambient sound performance composed by local musician Alex Gaylon. Then kick back and enjoy a mixture of popular music that will carry you through this spacey, cosmic journey.
Food will be heavy appetizers, desserts, a variety of beverages and the drink of the night will be a Constellation Cocktail. Cosmic costumes (zodiac signs, sun, moon, stars, constellations) welcomed, or not, up to you. Overflow parking at the School in Rose Valley, luminaries will light the way.

Reservations:
Payment can be made online: Click here to register online.
By mail: Check made out to RVMHS addressed to Rose Valley Museum, 41 Rose Valley Road, Rose Valley, PA 19063; email: programs@rosevalleymuseum.org; or leave a message at 484-444-2961.
Parking at the School in Rose Valley at the end of School Lane.

Museum Open
2025-11-22 12:00 - 2025-11-23 16:00 | Thunderbird Lodge, 41 Rose Valley Road, Rose Valley, PA, 19063, United States
Saturday and Sunday, November 22-23, 2025
12:00 to 4:00 pm
The Rose Valley Museum at Thunderbird Lodge will be open the weekend of November 22 and 23 from noon until 4pm.
Enjoy a step back to early 1900’s.
Tour upper and lower studios, living room and dining room.
Permanent collection on display in upper studio.
Admission: Free to members; $10 per person, 7 and up
Purchase tickets online (click here)
Please choose the appropriate date when purchasing tickets.

Designing for the Dead
2025-11-23 16:00 - 18:00 | The School in Rose Valley, 20 School Lane, Rose Valley, PA, 19063-4214, United States
“Designing for the Dead”
Art & Architecture in Philadelphia Cemeteries
Join Thomas H. Keels, Author, Historian, Lecturer for a talk followed by a small reception. The birth of the rural cemetery in Philadelphia provided local architects and artists with a novel outdoor laboratory where they could exhibit their works, and experiment with new styles. Such noted architects and artists as John Notman, William Strickland, Alexander Milne Calder, Frank Furness, Horace Trumbauer, and Paul Philippe Cret all created designs for cemetery gatehouses and individual monuments. In some cases, they became “cradle-to-grave” designers for the city’s elite. The talk will discuss Quaker contributions to Philadelphia funerary heritage, including the role of Eli Kirk Price in establishing the Woodlands, one of the city’s earliest rural cemeteries.
Sunday, November 23, 2025, 4pm
$20 per person ($15 members)
Note location: Grace Rotzel Center at The School in Rose Valley.
Register Now!
Reservations:
Call 484-444-2961 (leave a message)
Email: programs@rosevalleymuseum.org
Payment can be made online or at the door. Click here to register online.
Parking at the School in Rose Valley at the end of School Lane.

Museum Open
2025-12-06 12:00 - 2025-12-07 16:00 | Thunderbird Lodge, 41 Rose Valley Road, Rose Valley, PA, 19063, United States
Saturday and Sunday, December 6-7, 2025
12:00 to 4:00 pm
The Rose Valley Museum at Thunderbird Lodge will be open the weekend of December 6 and 7 from noon until 4pm.
Enjoy a step back to early 1900’s.
Tour upper and lower studios, living room and dining room.
Permanent collection on display in upper studio.
Admission: Free to members; $10 per person, 7 and up
Purchase tickets online (click here)
Please choose the appropriate date when purchasing tickets.

Tree Lighting @ the Museum
2025-12-07 17:00 - 18:00 | Thunderbird Lodge, 41 Rose Valley Road, Rose Valley, PA, 19063, United States
“Tree Lighting @ Thunderbird Lodge”
Celebrate the start of the Christmas Season with carols and lighting of the Museum’s tree.
An old fashioned hour of song, hot chocolate, cider, cookies, and community topped off by the lighting of the tree. Bring the entire family.
Sunday, December 7, 2025 5-6pm (Rain date: Sunday December 14th)
Donation: Free
Register Now!
RSVP’s not necessary, just come! Purchase tickets online (click here)“>
Parking at the School in Rose Valley at the end of School Lane.

Museum Open
2026-01-31 12:00 - 2026-02-01 16:00 | Thunderbird Lodge, 41 Rose Valley Road, Rose Valley, PA, 19063, United States
Saturday and Sunday, January 31-February 1, 2026, 12:00 to 4:00 pm
The Rose Valley Museum at Thunderbird Lodge will be open the weekend of January 31-February 1 from noon until 4pm.
Enjoy a step back to early 1900’s.
Tour upper and lower studios, living room and dining room.
Permanent collection on display in upper studio.
Admission: Free to members; $10 per person, 7 and up
Purchase tickets online (click here)
Please choose the appropriate date when purchasing tickets.

Adventures in Rose Valley Theater History!
2026-02-01 16:00 - 18:00 | The School in Rose Valley, 20 School Lane, Rose Valley, PA, 19063-4214, United States
“Adventures in Rose Valley Theater History”
Join Peter Schmitz, Adjunct Professor, Temple University Department of Theater for a talk followed by a reception. Actor, author and podcaster Peter will examine aspects of the artistry and history of the “Little Theatre Movement” in early 20th century Philadelphia. He will share readings from his recent book, Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia – as well as giving a special preview of this chapter on William L. Price and community theater production in Rose Valley.
Sunday, February 1, 2026, 4pm
$20 per person ($15 members)
Note location: Grace Rotzel Center at The School in Rose Valley.

Reservations:
Payment can be made online or at the door. Click here to register online.
Call 484-444-2961 (leave a message)
Email: programs@rosevalleymuseum.org
Parking at the School in Rose Valley at the end of School Lane.

Museum Open
2026-03-28 12:00 - 2026-03-29 16:00 | Thunderbird Lodge, 41 Rose Valley Road, Rose Valley, PA, 19063, United States
Saturday and Sunday, March 28-29, 2026, 12:00 to 4:00 pm
The Rose Valley Museum at Thunderbird Lodge will be open the weekend of March 28-29 from noon until 4pm.
Enjoy a step back to early 1900’s.
Tour upper and lower studios, living room and dining room.
Permanent collection on display in upper studio.
Admission: Free to members; $10 per person, 7 and up
Purchase tickets online (click here)
Please choose the appropriate date when purchasing tickets.

2026 Members Meeting
2026-03-29 17:00 - 20:30 | Rose Valley Museum, 41 Rose Valley Road, Rose Valley, PA, 19063, United States
“Members Meeting and Potluck Party”
Members meeting from 5:00-6:00pm; Potluck party from 6:00-8:30pm
Sunday, March 29, 2026, 5:00 – 8:30pm.
At this year’s members meeting we will update you on the progress the Museum has made in 2025 and display the Rose Valley quilt created 50 years ago to commemorate the Bicentennial of the United States. Paula Healy will talk about the forty-nine squares that depict Rose Valley events, people and symbols; and were designed, sewn and quilted by residents and other interested people.
The meeting will be followed by a potluck gathering of members. Please bring an hor d’oeuvre, a dessert, or some dish to share. Cider (soft and hard), water, beer & wine provided.
Members free, each member may bring one guest each for $10.

Reservations:
Click here to register online.
Parking at the School in Rose Valley at the end of School Lane.

Museum Open
2026-04-25 12:00 - 2026-04-26 16:00 | Thunderbird Lodge, 41 Rose Valley Road, Rose Valley, PA, 19063, United States
Saturday and Sunday, April 25-26, 2026
12:00 to 4:00 pm
The Rose Valley Museum at Thunderbird Lodge will be open the weekend of April 25 and 26 from noon until 4pm.
Enjoy a step back to early 1900’s.
Tour upper and lower studios, living room and dining room.
Permanent collection on display in upper studio.
Admission: Free to members; $10 per person, 7 and up
Purchase tickets online (click here)
Please choose the appropriate date when purchasing tickets.

Howell Lewis Shay
2026-04-26 16:00 - 18:00 | The School in Rose Valley, 20 School Lane, Rose Valley, PA, 19063-4214, United States
“Howell Lewis Shay: Formative Philadelphia Architect & Arbiter”
Join Scott Laughlin, an expert in historic real estate and an unfaltering volunteer with the Rose Valley Museum and Historical Society, as he presents the long and illustrious career of Howell Lewis Shay.
Mr. Shay was a long-term resident of Rose Valley from 1916 to 1941, then from 1953 until 1974. He is known as the arbiter of the final design for the Philadelphia Museum of Art at the young age of 31, working for Horace Trumbauer. His capability to find compromise and to guide his clients to seek better solutions through thoughtful design was his hallmark. While primarily a commercial architect, best known for his city skyscrapers, he designed eight amazing residences in Rose Valley, 2nd only to our founder, William Lightfoot Price.
Sunday, April 26, 2026, 4pm
$20 per person ($15 members)
Note location: Grace Rotzel Center at The School in Rose Valley.

Reservations:
Payment can be made online or at the door. Click here to register online.
Call 484-444-2961 (leave a message)
Email: programs@rosevalleymuseum.org
Parking at the School in Rose Valley at the end of School Lane.

THE STEPHENSES A Family of Talented Artists @ Thunderbird Lodge
2026-05-01 00:00 - 2026-09-03 23:59 | Rose Valley Museum, 41 Rose Valley Road, Rose Valley, PA, 19063, United States
“THE STEPHENSES”
A Family of Talented Artists @ Thunderbird Lodge
Closes Saturday, May 31, 2026
Free with admission to the Museum.
In 1904 Alice and Charles Stephens, prominent Philadelphia illustrators, made a leap of faith “to try so great a change and give our son the chance for an out-of-door life near his school”. Alice Barber Stephens, renown for her illustrations in many magazines such as Ladies Home Journal, was trained by Thomas Eakins at the Philadelphia Academy of Fine Arts PAFA as was Charles. Charles was an illustrator of boys adventure stories and taught life drawing at PAFA. Owen, eleven when he arrived in Rose Valley, was well versed in drawing. With time, however, his interest became focused on the nighttime sky, which he learned to paint with scientific accuracy.

Donations can be made online or at the door. Click here to donate online.

Museum Open
2026-05-16 12:00 - 2026-05-17 16:00 | Thunderbird Lodge, 41 Rose Valley Road, Rose Valley, PA, 19063, United States
Saturday and Sunday, May 16-17, 2026, 12:00 to 4:00 pm
The Rose Valley Museum at Thunderbird Lodge will be open the weekend of May 16-17 from noon until 4pm.
Enjoy a step back to early 1900’s.
Tour upper and lower studios, living room and dining room.
Permanent collection on display in upper studio.
Admission: Free to members; $10 per person, 7 and up
Purchase tickets online (click here)
Please choose the appropriate date when purchasing tickets.

Museum Open
2026-06-13 12:00 - 2026-06-14 16:00 | Thunderbird Lodge, 41 Rose Valley Road, Rose Valley, PA, 19063, United States
Saturday and Sunday, June 13-14, 2026, 12:00 to 4:00 pm
The Rose Valley Museum at Thunderbird Lodge will be open the weekend of June 13-14 from noon until 4pm.
Enjoy a step back to early 1900’s.
Tour upper and lower studios, living room and dining room.
Permanent collection on display in upper studio.
Admission: Free to members; $10 per person, 7 and up
Purchase tickets online (click here)
Please choose the appropriate date when purchasing tickets.

Museum Open
2026-07-11 12:00 - 2026-07-12 16:00 | Thunderbird Lodge, 41 Rose Valley Road, Rose Valley, PA, 19063, United States
Saturday and Sunday, July 11-12, 2026, 12:00 to 4:00 pm
The Rose Valley Museum at Thunderbird Lodge will be open the weekend of July 11-12 from noon until 4pm.
Enjoy a step back to early 1900’s.
Tour upper and lower studios, living room and dining room.
Permanent collection on display in upper studio.
Admission: Free to members; $10 per person, 7 and up
Purchase tickets online (click here)
Please choose the appropriate date when purchasing tickets.
