Sunnybrook
Also known as: Sunnybrook Park and Ballrom; Sunnybrook Convention Center; Colonial Restaurant
Why it's listed
Built in 1931 on the grounds of Sunnybrook Picnic Park in Lower Pottsgrove Township, the ballroom was the work of Raymond C. Hartenstine, Sr., who opened it on Memorial Day after roughly eight weeks of construction. The frame building was lengthened to 176 feet in 1937, giving it an 18,000-square-foot dance floor laid in narrow maple strips. Hartenstine booked the leading big bands of the period, including Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman and Glenn Miller, who drew an attendance record above 7,300 in 1942. Regular radio broadcasts from the hall reached audiences across the region. The ballroom closed during the Second World War and reopened in 1945. The nomination regards its size and its long run of popular dance-band appearances as the basis for its importance in local entertainment history.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the ballroom is significant for its large dance floor, reported at 18,000 square feet, and its role as a regular stop for big bands of the Swing Era from the 1930s through the 1950s. It also cites the venue's broad regional draw and its place in the local entertainment history of the picnic park that preceded it.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 05000855, listed August 11, 2005. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 50 Sunnybrook Rd., Lower Pottsgrove Township |
|---|---|
| County | Montgomery County |
| Listed | August 11, 2005 |
| Reference number | 05000855 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1926-1955 |
| Architect / builder | Raymond C. Hartenstine, Sr. (builder) |
| Architectural style | NO STYLE |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Entertainment/Recreation |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Acreage | 13.4 |
| Coordinates | 40.24888, -75.61047 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 05000855.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q16900879
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.