Hi Neighbor!
For over a decade, I was fortunate to live within walking distance to one of our local treasures, Harriton House , a homestead rich in beauty and history. My proximity to this estate was first brought to my attention by a neighbor welcoming me to my new home with a jar of honey produced at the farm. She simultaneously thrust a brochure into my hands informing me about the story of the house, the acreage, and the continued activities held annually to honor the property’s history. I was hooked.
On Saturdays, my boys and I would ride our bikes over to visit the few rescue animals living in the barn and explore the grounds. If memory serves me correctly, there was a small donkey and a few goats. Not many animals, but enough to keep young boys engaged. We would walk the property, pondering the story behind the remaining buildings and imagine what it would have been like to live in the old farm house.
Before long I was donating books and other items to the annual fall fair, returning on the day of the event to watch demonstrations of sheep being herded or an iron smith at work. My boys even helped with some minor repairs at the farm in conjunction with a community service project. If was part of our community, giving so much to us; we wanted to give back.
Now for a very brief history: The property was originally settled and the home built in 1704 by a Welsh Quaker who named the estate “Bryn Mawr,” which means high hill in Welsh. He had little farming success, so he sold the property in 1719. The new owner, also Quaker, changed the name of the estate to “Harriton.” With the name change, he brought tobacco farming to the property where it was grown until his death in the 1740s. A few tobacco plants still remain to pay homage, showcasing ornamental purple or white flowers.
If you have never visited, plan to attend one of the annual events such as the fall Harriton Homestead Fair or the spring Father’s Day Ice Cream Social, a nod to the time when the farm served as Harriton Guernsey Dairy in the early 1900s (more history!), or you can call for a separate tour of the house.
The pristine property is well maintained through donations, memberships, and fundraising events, celebrating over 300 years of history, owners, and cultivation. Let us know your favorite Main Line historical treasure!
Fondly from Bryn Mawr,
Jackie
