The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) has been collecting information concerning archaeological sites and historic resources for the greater part of a century. In February, 2020, there are well over 26,000 archaeological sites and over 139,000 historic properties in these files. One of those is the Moore Irwin property in Upper Merion, CRGIS file #079789.
On July 17, 1979, the PA State Historic Preservation Officer advised Upper Merion Township that Muhlenberg Headquarters was determined worthy of inclusion on the PA Inventory of Historic Places, advising that preservation should be considered during planning and execution of various public and private development projects.
Artist Henry MacNeill was commissioned to do a whole series of drawings of officers’ headquarters during the encampment in Valley Forge. A quote from the artist, “As good almost to kill a man (to adapt a farmhouse saying of John Milton’s) as to destroy an old house.”
The Moore House, aka Muhlenberg Headquarters, is tucked out of sight off of Moore Rd. It was the former Upper Merion Cultural Center building. The building is owned by the township and has sat empty since 1992. Township officials have been discussing what can be done with the building and how changes can be financed. The Historical Society is hopeful that grant money will be secured so this treasure can be saved and repurposed for future generations.
View the Moore-Irwin House, Muhlenberg Headquarters report and the supporting documentation at the Cultural Resources Geographic Information System site. https://gis.penndot.gov/CRGIS/Application/ASPNET/Report/Report.aspx?R=108&T=KEYNO&I=079789
