Pennypacker Mills
Pennypacker Mansion | |
 Southern elevation | |
   | |
| Nearest city | Schwenksville, Pennsylvania |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 40°15′15″N 75°27′28″W / 40.25417°N 75.45778°W |
| Area | 5.5 acres (2.2 ha) |
| Built | 1720 |
| NRHP reference No. | 76001657[1] |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | November 07, 1976 |
| Designated PHMC | September 24, 1946 |
Pennypacker Mills is an American Colonial Revival mansion that is surrounded by 170 acres (0.69 km2) of farmland in Perkiomen Township, near Schwenksville, Pennsylvania. Located on the shore of the Perkiomen Creek, it is situated approximately 35 miles (56 km) northwest of Philadelphia.
The house was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.[2]
History and architectural features[edit]
Originally built circa 1720 by Hans Jost Hite, this mansion was purchased in 1747 by Peter Pennebacker, and remained privately owned by Pennypackers for eight generations.
During the American Revolutionary War, George Washington used Pennypacker Mills in the fall of 1777[3] as a headquarters prior to the Battle of Germantown, and also as a field hospital for injured soldiers after the battle.
Pennsylvania governor Samuel Pennypacker made the Mills his summer home during the early 1900s, and lived there for much of his term in office (1903–1907). After his term, he lived at the Mills year-round until his death in 1916.[4] He was an avid collector of antiques and manuscripts, and many of these can still be found on display at the Mills, along with letters and orders written by George Washington.[5]
The house was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.[2]
Pennypacker Mills hosts special events such as Civil War reenactments on a regular basis, and is open to the public for tours Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Sunday from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. with the last daily tour at 3:30 p.m. Admission is free.
Gallery[edit]
-
Western elevation -
The home's dining room, decorated for the holiday season -
Mantle decorated for Christmas -
view in 1918
References[edit]
- ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
- ^ a b "Pennypacker Mills". Historic sites. Montgomery County, PA. Retrieved December 30, 2013.
- ^ "Pennypacker Mills | History & Events | Patriot Trails". www.valleyforge.org. Retrieved 2016-02-25.
- ^ "Governor Samuel Whitaker Pennypacker | PHMC > Pennsylvania Governors". www.phmc.state.pa.us. Retrieved 2016-02-25.
- ^ "Pennypacker Mills Scope of Collections". Montgomery County, PA. Archived from the original on December 31, 2013. Retrieved December 30, 2013.
External links[edit]
- Pennypacker Mills visitors website
- A History of Schwenksville, including detailed history of Samuel and the Mills
- Montgomery County website, including a photographic tour of Pennypacker Mills.
- Houses on the National Register of Historic Places in Pennsylvania
- Pennsylvania culture
- Historic house museums in Pennsylvania
- Museums in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
- Houses in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
- Parks in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
- National Register of Historic Places in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
- Historic House Museums of the Pennsylvania Germans