History of the New Hope Historical Society

Speaking at an early function of the Society, Dr. Arthur Ricker stated, “Look about you. In all directions you see physical structures inherited from past generations. But there is more to this inheritance than stone, brick, and frame buildings; there is an undefinable something that embraces one’s mind and spirit with a warm feeling of graciousness, reverence, humility and pride in what we call our historical heritage. It is this inheritance that we want to conserve and pass on to future generations.”

In its first year, the fledgling community organization restored the exterior of the 1790 English-style Parry Barn and totally renovated the interior space. Leasing the barn to a local artist helped raise funds for the society’s ensuing projects. Keeping in mind Dr. Ricker’s reverence for the town’s historical heritage, the society initiated a New Hope Arts Festival and a lecture series featuring topics from various periods of New Hope’s history. Renowned artist Edward Willis Redfield was an early speaker tracing the growth of the New Hope School of impressionist painters and their work. Other speakers chronicled the importance of the Bucks County Playhouse in the town’s development.

Later, in 1966, the society installed historical markers around town describing a dozen historic buildings, and restored the 1891 Frank Furness-designed, Victorian New Hope train station. A few months later, when the Georgian-style Parry Mansion went on the market, Dr. Ricker and the board negotiated the purchase with Margaret Parry Lang, the fifth Parry generation to have resided there. 

Sadly, his untimely death in 1981 ended the 65-year-old advocate’s work on behalf of the town he loved, having served as the historical society’s first president from 1958 to 1962, and again from 1972 through 1978. Dr. Ricker’s mission has continued through the presidents and boards that have succeeded him. 

In 2008, the New Hope Historical Society celebrated its 50th anniversary. We looked back over the past fifty years with pride and a sense of real accomplishment. We look forward to a future in which much still needs to be done towards enhancing the legacy of those who have contributed so much in keeping New Hope’s vibrant history alive. In 2023 we hosted our 65th Annual Fundraising Dinner. Dr. Ricker’s passion to preserve the reverence and pride in New Hope’s unique history is alive and growing because of the continued generosity of the New Hope area community’s support of the Historical Society.

From the original settlers to today’s varied population, New Hope maintains its historic status as a place where diversity is celebrated. We take great pride in New Hope’s role in the American Revolution and our three hundred years of history. The Society's Archives includes much of the history of New Hope through various documents, photographs, and other artifacts.