Lansdale Freight House
  • Home
  • The Past
    • LFH History
    • The Boyles Family
    • History in Photos
  • The Present
    • Where We Stand
  • The Future
    • Where We're Going
  • Learn More
    • How to Help
    • Get in Touch
  • More
    • Home
    • The Past
      • LFH History
      • The Boyles Family
      • History in Photos
    • The Present
      • Where We Stand
    • The Future
      • Where We're Going
    • Learn More
      • How to Help
      • Get in Touch
Lansdale Freight House
  • Home
  • The Past
    • LFH History
    • The Boyles Family
    • History in Photos
  • The Present
    • Where We Stand
  • The Future
    • Where We're Going
  • Learn More
    • How to Help
    • Get in Touch

welcome

Building a Future For An Iconic Structure

Join our mission to turn the 120-year-old Lansdale Freight House into a valued community resource for the next century. 

donate now - doubled thru 12/31
Friends of the Freight House
Lansdale Reading Freight House c. 1903

About The Historic Freight House

Our Vision

The former Reading freight station, 18 inches of solid-stone structure, has endured for more than 120 years. Discover Lansdale purchased the Freight House in 2016 to save it from the wrecking ball, in hopes of bringing it back to life as a Welcome Center for the Borough, and a venue for events public and private, to again serve our community 

THE PAST

A Lasting Legacy, Born in Stone

In 1902, to support the booming industrial growth of Lansdale, the Reading Company commissioned a local stonemason family to create a freight depot from which the borough could send its products around the region and across the country.

Where It All Began
THE PRESENT

Our Plans, Our Challenges

The Freight House rehabilitation is drawn, bid, and ready to begin. But we cannot complete this ambitious project without the continued support of you — our friends, neighbors and volunteers.  

Where We Stand
THE FUTURE

An Entry Gate, A Gathering Place

When complete, the front area of the Freight House will become a Welcome Center for visitors to Lansdale by foot, bike, train and car. And the stunning main area will be available for celebrations both public and private — a one-of-a-kind venue for the town and its inhabitants.

Where we're headed

Help Us Create A Lasting Tribute To Lansdale's Heritage

Donate or Sponsor

With your support, we can complete our mission to restore a vital piece of Lansdale's history to prominence — and turn it into a site of celebration for future generations. Join our Friends of the Freight House campaign — here's how!

Friends of the Freight House

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteers are the heart of Discover Lansdale. We offer opportunities for individuals, groups and businesses to get involved and make a difference in our town — not just in the Freight House project, but all year long in our many civic endeavors. Click below to visit our Discover Lansdale site.

Get Involved

Donations Doubled!

Now through year's end, every dollar becomes $2! Please consider donating today!

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The Lansdale Freight House in Pictures

Frequently Asked Questions

Please reach us at info@lansdalefreighthouse.org if you have any other questions.

The Freight House was built more than 120 years ago, simultaneously with the passenger station. The intricate stonework has withstood the test of time: While wooden loading docks, eaves and joists had deteriorated and have been removed, the original, 18-inch thick stonework stands much as it did the day it was built.

The Lansdale Parking Authority purchased the vacant Freight House and land around it for a new lot in 2016. To save the stately stone structure from the wrecking ball, Discover Lansdale purchased the  building from the Authority and has a 99-year lease for the land underneath.

As a civic nonprofit, we are dedicated to turning it into a resource for  the community. The front portion — the original office space — will be a Welcome Center for newcomers and visitors via Broad Street, the Liberty Bell Trail and, of course, SEPTA. Historical exhibits will display the  town’s industrial heritage, and maps and directions will point folks to retailers, restaurants and services.

The remainder of the huge interior will become a one-of-a-kind venue for events public and  private, from pop-up markets and beer gardens to holiday displays, to business meetings, to weddings and anniversaries. With loading doors opening onto the parking lot, events can be indoors and out. We are counting on rental revenue to support ongoing expenses.

While construction schedules are notoriously unreliable with many  variables out of our control, we expect interior work to begin in earnest this fall and winter, and hope to finish the majority of work needed to use  the venue in 2025.

Much of the demo work and site cleanup was completed by volunteers. Construction plans are supported by a matching grant from the Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission. The renovations are funded in part by the state Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP). And trail amenities such as bike racks and benches are funded by a  Regional Trails grant from the Delaware Valley Regional Planning  Commission.


We sincerely appreciate the continued community support for this important project, and are particularly grateful to state Rep. Steve Malagari and Sen. Maria Collett for their efforts. While we are two-thirds of the way there, the Freight House restoration needs community support to get us to this project's finish line. Help us reach our goal!

Even with the grants and the community’s generosity, the project’s estimated costs significantly exceed current funding. If you’re able to contribute to the Lansdale Freight House rehabilitation project — or if your company might be interested in sponsorship opportunities — or if you just want to keep up with the progress of the project, bookmark this website and check back frequently. And visit our Friends of the Freight House page on this website to see how you can help.

Contact Us

Visit the Historic Freight House

Walk the Liberty Bell Trail, take the Lansdale SEPTA train line, or park your car or bike at the Freight House lot — and get a glimpse of the Borough's industrial legacy!

Lansdale Freight House

111 South Broad Street, Lansdale, Pennsylvania 19446, United States

(267) 498-5060 info@lansdalefreighthouse.org

Drop us a line!

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Lansdale Freight House Project

A project of Discover Lansdale, a 501(c)(3) civic nonprofit

(267) 498-5060 info@lansdalefreighthouse.org

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