Learn the History of Chocolate at Pottsgrove Manor

Information provided by Pottsgrove Manor:

On Saturday, September 21, 2013 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., historic Pottsgrove Manor will host a demonstration of traditional chocolate-making by American Heritage Chocolate, a division of Mars Chocolate North America.

Chocolate has been woven through the fabric of American culture for centuries. With its origin in the rain forests of Central and South America at least 3,500 years ago, chocolate’s rich history is intertwined in the stories of Americans’ ancestors. Colonial Americans like the Potts family enjoyed chocolate, though not in the familiar candy-bar form consumed today.

During the program, a team of Mars Chocolate History Ambassadors will share the history of chocolate through one‐on‐one historical bean‐to‐beverage demonstrations using authentic tools including cocoa pods, cocoa beans and nibs, a hot stone metate, winnowing baskets, chocolate drink pots, and molinos. Visitors can stop in anytime between 11:00am and 3:00pm to see, touch, taste, and smell the historic chocolate‐making experience. American Heritage Chocolate’s products will be available for purchase in the museum shop. 

A donation of $2.00 per person is suggested for this program. Guided tours of the manor house will be offered on the hour during the program. 

Pottsgrove Manor can also be toured during regular museum hours Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00am to 4:00pm, and Sunday from 1:00pm to 4:00pm. Tours are given on the hour. The last tour of the day begins at 3:00pm. The site is closed Mondays and major holidays. Groups of ten or more should preregister by calling (610) 326-4014.

Pottstown Manor is located at 100 West King Street near the intersection of King Street and Route 100, just off Route 422, in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. Pottsgrove Manor is operated by Montgomery County under the direction of the Parks, Trails, and Historic Sites Division of the Assets and Infrastructure Department. For more information, please call (610) 326-4014, or visit the website at www.montcopa.org/pottsgrovemanor. Like Pottsgrove Manor on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pottsgrovemanor.