Introduction to Ambler, Pennsylvania
Ambler, Pennsylvania, in Montgomery county, is 14 miles N of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Ambler History
In the mid-1850s, a depot for the North Pennsylvania Railroad was established in this area. The community was known as the Village of Wissahickon. In 1869, it was renamed "Ambler" in honor of a local Quaker woman, Mary Johnson Ambler, who had played a heroic role in the rescue of people involved in a local train accident referred to as "The Great Train Wreck of 1856." The Keasbey and Mattison Company, a manufacturer of asbestos, set up operations in Ambler in 1881. The factory's ownership changed hands a several times before it was closed in 1962. It had caused widespread contamination in the area, and the government declared a numerous sites in Ambler to have been severely affected and in need of remediation.
Ambler and Nearby Attractions
- Mennonite Heritage Center
- Peter Wentz Farmstead
- Glencairn Museum
- Sesame Place
- Elmwood Park Zoo
- Neshaminy State Park
Things To Do In Ambler
The Mennonite Heritage Center showcases exhibits that reflect the history of the Mennonite life and faith in southeastern Pennsylvania. Collections in the Woodmere Art Museum focus on the art and artists of the region, while the Grand Army of the Republic Museum & Library features artifacts of the Civil War. Peter Wentz Farmstead, a country mansion which served as Washington's headquarters during the Pennsylvania campaign of 1777, is another place of historic interest near Ambler. Visitors to Neshaminy State Park, Nockamixon State Park, and Evansburg State Park can enjoy various recreational activities like fishing, boating, hiking, horseback riding, picnicking, camping, biking, and golfing. The town of Ambler is also home to the Ambler Borough Park, Jean Thompson Park, Knight Park, and Ricciardi Park.
Ambler Transportation
Air transportation is available from the Philadelphia International Airport.
Ambler Higher Education
Nearby colleges include the Bryn Mawr College, Gratz College, Arcadia University, Montgomery County Community College, and Haverford College.