Philadelphia is one of the most historically rich cities in the United States, from its founding in 1682, to its central role in the American Revolution and the Declaration of Independence, to its activity in 20th century labor movements, and beyond. However, the area’s historical significance doesn’t stop at the Philadelphia city limits — surrounding towns such as Ardmore, Haverford, and Bryn Mawr are also home to historic sites dating back to the country’s founding. Here are three of the best historic sites to be found in Ardmore and nearby towns.
Harriton House
A visit to Bryn Mawr’s Harriton House is a trip back in time. This home dates back more than 300 years, to 1704, when it was constructed by Welsh Quakers. The house’s claim to fame, however, is as the home of Charles Thomson, the Secretary of the Continental Congress, which was the country’s acting government during the American Revolution. Today, it is a National Register of Historic Places site, a museum, and a park. Visitors can learn about the site’s history in the Education Center and explore the beautifully curated grounds that feature gardens, an apiary, an orchard, and livestock. The Harriton House also hosts a number of educational and social events throughout the year, such as the Harriton Farmstead Fair, blacksmithing classes, and a summer camp for children.
Pont Reading House
Ardmore’s Pont Reading House is considered one of the most well-preserved examples of an early American home in the United States, and when you visit the home you’ll quickly understand why. The home stands today in the same form as it did in 1813, having passed through ownership of only two families in that time. Its interior is finely crafted with curly maple woodwork, veined black marble mantles, and high ceilings. From the exterior, visitors will enjoy the ivy clinging to the home’s white walls, large hemlock, ash, and swamp maple trees, and beautifully landscaped flower gardens.
The appeal of the Pont Reading House goes beyond its age and architecture — this historic site was also the home of Joshua Humphreys, the “Father of the American Navy.” Humphreys was a Philadelphia shipyard owner and marine architect who designed several ships for the early U.S. Navy, including ships used in the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812.
Federal School
On Darby Road in Haverford stands one of the earliest schools in the area, the Federal School. Originally constructed in 1797, this one-room fieldstone building served as a Haverford Township school until 1872, after which it functioned as a residence for some time before being relegated to a storage shed until its restoration in 1976. Since 1991, the schoolhouse has served as an educational site for the Haverford Historical Society and local schools, hosting “One-Room School Experiences” where local schoolchildren can experience what school was like in the late 18th and 19th century. The historic site is also open to the public by appointment.
Next time you’re in Philadelphia, don’t neglect to wander outside of the city to explore the deep heritage of the surrounding region.
Image via Pixabay
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