601 skippack pike blue bell, pa
Reservations: 215.646.2010|info@bluebellinn.com
Stop for a moment to consider that if not for the construction of a tower containing a blue bell, you would be dining at the Pigeontown Inn. As droll as that sounds, the fact is, Blue Bell, PA was once known as “Pigeontown” due to the overwhelming number of carrier pigeons that used to populate the area in the early part of the 18th century.
Prior to Europen settlement, set forth by William Penn’s charter, the region which is present-day Blue Bell, was populated by an Algonquin-speaking tribe, the Lenni Lenape. Flash forward to 1681, William Penn charters a colony that would provide religious freedom to all of its citizens seeking asylum from their homelands in Europe. Although much of the initial settlement of the region started through Philadelphia, many communities and diverse religious sects such as The Mennonites, Schwenkfelders, and Dunkards began to move north into the wild lands of present-day Montgomery County. For the next half-century, the region is sparsely populated by farmers and hunters taming the wilderness and learning the language of the land.
In 1743, “The White House” was constructed. “The White House,” now known as The Blue Bell Inn served as a haven to hunters and travelers alike. First listed on military maps as “The White Horse Inn”, the building soon played a pivotal role in the American Revolution. From these very maps, George Washington lead the American Continental Army and the 2nd Canadian Regiment to face General William Howe and the British Army in the Battle of Germantown, PA. The battle itself, which was ultimately a British victory, took place on October 4, 1777. Around this time, The White House Inn was visited and frequented by George Washington and some of his officers as they retreated deep into Valley Forge for the winter.
A New Bell and a New Name
In 1796, after the construction of a tower housing a blue bell (which is still on display), The White House was renamed The Blue Bell Inn. As the years marched on, the Inn remained a central meeting place in Pigeontown, PA until 1840 when local denizens elected to change the town name to Blue Bell. The Blue Bell Inn continued to be a staple of Montgomery County throughout the following decades as it passed through different owners. In 1945, the Inn was purchased by the Lamprecht Family and in 1967, John Lamprecht, turned the Inn into a fine-dining establishment.
And The Rest Is History
During the 1990’s, current owner, Scott Dougherty, worked at the Inn as a Busboy, Maître d’ and then to General Manager! In 2013, Bruce Goodman, Scott Dougherty and Kevin Clib purchased The Blue Bell Inn and, with help from their incredible staff, turned the establishment into what we now enjoy today. Seated at the crossroads of history, deep within Montgomery County, The Blue Bell Inn continues to serve its guests with the same warm, inviting spirit that has helped it endure from the birth of our nation to the present day.
If you or someone you know is a history buff and you want to walk in the footsteps of Washington, stop by the Blue Bell Inn! Be sure to make your reservation and experience our timeless restaurant!