Macungie Institute
Office Hours are currently by Appointment Only.
Rental inquiries can be submitted through the Rental Information tab.
History of Our Beautiful Building
In 1856 a number of citizens concerned with the insufficiency of existing schools organized the Macungie Institute. A half acre of ground was purchased at the eastern end of Main Street and a two-story brick building was constructed. According to its constitution, the objective of the Institute was "to promote literature and to stimulate a desire among us for the better instruction of youth in the primary and higher branches of learning; to make fruitful the barren minds of gallant sons and daughters of Lehigh." The school motto was "Learn to tell what you know." By 1860, the income of the school was insufficient to meet the expenses, and classes were suspended. In 1862, the property was sold to the borough school district. In 1939 the voters approved the bond issue "to construct, furnish and equip" a new, modern building. Construction began in 1941 and a public open house was held on October 16, 1942. High school classes continued to be graduated by the Macungie School District through 1919. In the 1920's students were sent to Emmaus for their high school education. In 1951, a merger was approved to form a new East Penn Union School District. The Macungie School continued to serve elementary students for nearly four more decades, closing its doors on June 16, 1989, after 133 years of service to the Macungie community. The building was repurchased by the borough in May 2000.
510 East Main Street, Macungie, PA 18062 Phone: 610-966-7830 Fax: 610-966-0573
We are excited to announce that there is now a "little library" outside the Institute!! Sending a HUGE Thank You to Riya Patel for generously building and donating this to our community center. Riya is part of Girl Scout Troop 6931 and selected us as the recipient of her 50 hour project. This wonderful little library for our community center helped her earn her Silver Star Award!!! Congratulations, Riya!! Thank you for thinking of us. Everyone is welcome to borrow books from our little library whenever you would like. Be sure to return the book or leave a different one for someone else to enjoy!
A Community Center
Directions:
The Macungie Institute is located one block east on Main Street (Route 100), Macungie from the intersection of Chestnut Street and Main Street (traffic light).
FROM THE SOUTH:
At the intersection of Routes 100 and 29 in Upper Milford Township, travel north on Route 100, approximately 1.73 miles The Macungie Institute will be on the left side of Main Street (Route 100), Macungie just passed Buttonwood Street.
FROM THE NORTH:
At the intersection of Routes 100 and 222 in Trexlertown, travel south on Route 100, approximately 4.4 miles, The Macungie Institute will be on the right side of Main Street (Route 100), Macungie at Sycamore Street.
Parking is to the rear of the building accessible by turning onto S Sycamore Street and left onto Hickory Street.
The Macungie Institute now has a
Little Lending Library!
Macungie Institute Trustees
The Macungie Institute Trustees is an advisory board consisting of three members, each serving three-year terms, who are residents of the Borough of Macungie. The Trustees make recommendations to Borough Council on various matters concerning the Institute. If you are interested in more information about the role of the Macungie Institute Trustees or are interested in becoming a Trustee, please feel free to fill out the contact form.
The current Macungie Institute Trustees:
Karen Billger
Angela Faidley
Audrey Seislove
510 East Main Street, Macungie, PA 18062
Phone: 610-966-7830 Fax: 610-966-0573
In 1856, a number of citizens organized the Macungie Institute for the purpose of educating students in this building. Today our goal is much the same. We trust the Macungie Institute can be a place where individuals of all ages will enjoy the gift of learning. We also trust that the building itself will be a place joyfully used by our community.
The Tree of Life at the Macungie Institute was erected with two thoughts in mind. First, with your kind and thoughtful donation we will have the ability to fund different events and provide for future operating expenses. Secondly, your donation provides you with the ability to have your family name(s), an individual's name(s), and/or an organization commemorated on a beautifully engraved brass leaf or rock. Gifts of $75 or more receive an engraved leaf; gifts of $150 or more receive an engraved leaf with one star; gifts of $250 or more receive an engraved leaf with two stars; gifts of $500 or more receive an engraved small rock (5 1/2" x 3 1/2"); gifts of $1,000 or more receive a medium rock (7' x 4 1/2"); and gifts of $2,500 or more receive a large rock (8" x 6").
If you desire to make a donation, please send your donation, along with the donation form, to the Macungie Institute, 510 E. Main Street, Macungie, PA, 18062. You will receive an acknowledgement of your generous gift, which is tax-deductible, as provided by law.
Tree of Life
The Macungie Institute serves as a community center providing a place for the social, cultural,
and educational advancement of the residents of the Macungie area.