Pennypacker Mills Explained

Pennypacker Mansion
Nearest City:Schwenksville, Pennsylvania
Coordinates:40.2542°N -75.4578°W
Built:1720
Added:November 07, 1976
Refnum:76001657
Designated Other1:Pennsylvania
Designated Other1 Abbr:PHMC
Designated Other1 Date:September 24, 1946

Pennypacker Mills is an American Colonial Revival mansion that is surrounded by 170acres of farmland in Perkiomen Township, near Schwenksville, Pennsylvania. Located on the shore of the Perkiomen Creek, it is situated approximately 35miles northwest of Philadelphia.

The house was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.[1]

History and architectural features

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[2] 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.[3] 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.[4]

The house was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.[5]

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.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Pennypacker Mills. Historic sites. Montgomery County, PA. December 30, 2013.
  2. Web site: Pennypacker Mills History & Events Patriot Trails. www.valleyforge.org. 2016-02-25.
  3. Web site: Governor Samuel Whitaker Pennypacker PHMC > Pennsylvania Governors. www.phmc.state.pa.us. 2016-02-25.
  4. Web site: Pennypacker Mills Scope of Collections. Montgomery County, PA. December 30, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131231000444/http://pa-montgomerycounty.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/3450. December 31, 2013. dead.
  5. Web site: Pennypacker Mills. Historic sites. Montgomery County, PA. December 30, 2013.