An open house at the Biery House Museum, 8 Race St., Catasauqua, Aug. 2 provided a chance for the public to visit a truly magnificent collection of local history, specifically the history of Catasauqua. Other parts of the property are the summer kitchen, Deily Coal Yard, scale house and the mule barn. Each component of the property has a fascinating history all its own.

The hours of operation are the first and third month from May through September, 1-4 p.m. or by appointment, and the museum is managed by Historic Catasauqua Preservation Association. Visit historiccatasauquahcpa.org for more information.

The Biery House was built in 1835 by Frederick Biery, a prominent local entrepreneur and the founder of the settlement that would eventually become Catasauqua. The home stands as a foundational monument to the early commerce and industrial revolution of the Lehigh Valley region.

Deb Mellish, a leader of HCPA and a former Catasauqua Borough Council member, led the tours through the house. Mellish has a wealth of historical information about the borough. She surely possesses a passion for Catasauqua and for her work as an historian.

Shelly Noltor and Gwen Mutarelli, both Catasauqua residents, staffed the sign-in table on the house’s first floor. They led the scavenger hunt for kids who attended the open house. Both were cheerful as they completed their duties.

Justin Draxler, of Catasauqua, and Tom Rissmiller, of Pen Argyl, were fascinated by all the historical treasures found in the house. It was noted that historical items per square foot in the Biery House might be the highest of any museum in the Lehigh Valley and perhaps beyond. The sheer number of historical items could be set up in a facility three times the size of the Biery House and that much larger museum would appear full.

A treat at the open house was the visit from a gentleman from Klecknersville. His name is Richard Biery. He noted he is a descendant of Frederick Biery, the man who built the Biery House. Richard said he was born and raised in Northampton Borough’s first ward. Mellish toured Biery around the house, and he said he was enthralled by the artifacts he saw as Mellish explained them.

A husband and wife with two youngsters had fun with the scavenger hunt. The parents were interested in the history on display. Their young children may have been more interested in the free cookies, candy and refreshments.

The history of Catasauqua is deeply, impressively rich. Catasauqua earned the nickname “The Million Dollar Town” because it was the first community to raise $1 million in war bonds during World War I in 1917, and it also boasted a massive concentration of self-made industrial millionaires.

HCPA is a million-dollar organization — not in financial wealth but in historical wealth — by keeping the history of a great community with great people alive and thriving. HCPA aims to continue its mission of educating Catasauqua and beyond about the historical treasures found in the borough’s history.