Event at 45 S. Main St., New Hope, from 5-7 p.m.
On Sunday (March 1), the New Hope Historical Society will mark the 252nd birthday of Benjamin Parry, who is widely considered to be the father of New Hope.
Mr. Parry was born March 1 in 1757, and at the age of 27 owned and operated the flour mill, currently incorporated into the Bucks County Playhouse.
The mill was one of the largest and most productive in Bucks County, producing 300 bushels each week.
Mr. Parry, unwittingly, gave New Hope its name when he named his rebuilt mill “New Hope” after it had been destroyed by fire. The new name became popular and was eventually incorporated in 1837.
It had been named Coryell’s Ferry during the Revolutionary War.
Mr. Parry was a major partner in the first bank established in New Hope and was chairman of the committee that built the first bridge to Lambertville, replacing the ferry that had operated for more than 100 years. Mr. Parry’s various enterprises put New Hope on the industrial map and, before he died in 1839, it was the industrial and manufacturing capital of Bucks County.
The birthday celebration will be held at Mr. Parry’s 225-year-old Georgian-style mansion at 45 S. Main St., New Hope, from 5-7 p.m. Birthday cake, snacks and a wine bar will help to mark the occasion.
Tickets are $10 for members and $15 for nonmembers. Reservations are required and may be obtained by calling the Historical Society at 215-862-5652 or at [email protected].

