Research Center

Calendar of Events

Callahan Research Center and Barnsley Room of Newtown History

The Callahan Research Center is a repository of records focusing on Newtown history from its founding to the present time. The collection includes deeds, wills, diaries, genealogies, photographs, directories, inventories and maps dealing with Newtown people, land, houses, farms, schools, service organizations, events and many other topics of interest. The collections are strong in the period 1725 to 1813, when the village served as the county seat. Edward Hicks, America’s foremost primitive painter, is also well represented. The collections are of particular value to persons interested in genealogical information of former Newtown residents, and the maps and deeds are of assistance to those studying land history or dating historic houses in the Newtown area. In 2001, the archives were supplemented by a donation of over 150 photographs from the estate of Norman Kitchin.

The Newtown Historic Association’s Research Center was opened in 1982 at the Half Moon Inn and the core of the collection was a gift from Edward R. Barnsley, a long time Newtown resident, collector and preservationist. In 2019, the Research Center and archives had outgrown the space at the Half Moon Inn and were moved to the current and larger location on Mercer Street. In September 2020, the Research Center was dedicated to Mary and David Callahan to honor their years of dedicated service to the Newtown Historic Association and the Newtown Community.

The Callahan Research Center & Barnsley Room of Newtown History are normally open to the public without charge on Tuesdays from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, Thursdays from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM, and by appointment. Please call 215-805-8772 for more information. Copying facilities are available. Research is also done by request. Download a copy of the Research Request Form.

HOURS

The Callahan Research Center
100 Mercer St
Newtown, PA 18940

Tuesdays 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Thursdays 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
And by Appointment

Upcoming Events

Historic Graveyard Tour

March 24, 2:00pm - 3:30pm

Join us for a fascinating presentation of the history and restoration of the Old Presbyterian Church Graveyard and the Slack Cemetery, followed by a guided tour of the restored headstones and footstones.

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Annual Meeting

April 15, 7:30pm - 9:00pm

Please join us for the Annual Business Meeting of the Newtown Historic Association followed by a wonderful presentation of collectibles and relics from our “Treasures from the Attic”

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Annual Spring Clean-Up

April 27, 8:30am - 11:00am

Every year, in the Spring, we take a day to clean the Half Moon Inn, and it’s a time to put the Inn back to “right” while seeing neighbors and making new friends

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EVENT LISTING

Featured

The Edward Hicks Room

The Newtown Historic Association invites you back in time to experience the life of Newtown's most famous artist, Edward Hicks. The Edward Hicks Room displays many of the treasures owned by Hicks during his lifetime. These items include a double-faced swinging sign portraying William Penn's Treaty with the Indians and Penn's Landing at Chester in 1844...learn more

SIGN UP

We invite you to sign up to stay informed of upcoming events, educational programs and community activities. Most are held in our historic Half Moon Inn, a tavern in the early days of Newtown, and are open to the public.

Join the celebration of our past and help ensure the preservation of our future.