Conshohocken Borough

Conshohocken Borough municipal offices are located at 720 Fayette St, Conshohocken PA, 19428; phone: 610-828-1092. Incorporated in 1850 from one acre of land taken from Plymouth and Whitemarsh Townships.

The borough maintains and operates more than half a dozen recreational facilities including walking trails, playgrounds, parks, community center, and a sports stadium.

The Borough Historical Society is located in the Mary Wood Park House at 120 East 5th Avenue; phone: 610-828-7869.

One borough resource is listed on the National Register of Historic Places: the Washington Hose & Steam Fire Engine Company No. 1, circa 1878. Italianate styled firehouse in continuous use for nearly 100 years.

Leeland

Prominently sited on the corner of Fayette Street and Eighth Avenue, "Leeland" was the grandiose and picturesque home of J. Ellwood Lee, founder of the J. Ellwood Lee Company, manufacturer of surgical supplies, and the Lee Tire and Rubber Mill. Lee began a small surgical supply business in his home in 1883 and incorporated in 1889 with three new mill buildings. He built this mansion in 1893.

In 1905, he merged with Johnson and Johnson and diversified into the new tire manufacturing industry for which 'Lee of Conshohocken' became nationally known. Lee's entrepreneurial success, combined with a lifelong loyalty to Conshohocken, is evident in this mansion. In 1964, the Borough of Conshohocken took over the property; it has served as 'Borough Hall' since then.

Conshohocken Borough Hall houses all of the Borough offices. It is the center for Borough meetings and functions throughout the year. The carriage house originally had a gymnasium and full size bowling alleys; today, it houses the Conshohocken Police Department.

Conshohocken Free Library

Eighteenth century immigrant Jan Lukens settled in the Conshohocken area, with his family, as farmers. Lewis Lukens gave up farming in the next generation to join Alan Wood Iron Company in 1857 and built this house at Third Avenue and Fayette Street. Donated to the Borough in 1909 for use as the Pubic Library, the homestead is the strongest legacy of the Lukens family, which was prominent in Conshohocken history.

The Conshohocken Free Library, founded in 1907, began in a room of the Harry Street School on Third Avenue. Immediately after it opened, church officials at Calvary Episcopal Church gave 2,000 volumes, to be rented for one dollar a year. The agreement is still in force; although has never been paid, the church has asked for neither the books back nor the yearly rental fee. The library moved to the east side of Fayette Street, between First and Second Avenues, when Miss Lehman was librarian. In 1909, the Lewis A. Lukens Home was given to the library by his grandchildren.

Although the library became a branch of the Montgomery County Norristown Public library in 1973, it continues to be managed by its own officers and board of directors. It is financed by two mills of the real estate tax given by the borough.

In 1998, a complete renovation and restoration project was completed. An addition to the original building was removed and replaced with a larger, modern addition with an elevator and a meeting room. The Conshohocken Free Library serves more users more efficiently today than ever in its proud history.

Text source: Conshohocken "Welcome" Brochure"