Pennypacker Mills

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Pennypacker Mansion
Pennypacker Mills 1 Montco PA.jpg
Southern elevation
USA Pennsylvania location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Usa edcp location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Nearest city Schwenksville, Pennsylvania
Coordinates 40°15′15″N75°27′28″W / 40.25417°N 75.45778°W / 40.25417; -75.45778
Area5.5 acres (2.2 ha)
Built1720
NRHP reference No. 76001657 [1]
Significant dates
Added to NRHPNovember 07, 1976
Designated PHMCSeptember 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.

Contents

The house was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. [2]

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 [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 3:00 p.m. Admission is free.

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References

  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places . National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  2. 1 2 "Pennypacker Mills". Historic sites. Montgomery County, PA. Retrieved December 30, 2013.
  3. "Pennypacker Mills | History & Events | Patriot Trails". www.valleyforge.org. Retrieved 2016-02-25.
  4. "Governor Samuel Whitaker Pennypacker | PHMC > Pennsylvania Governors". www.phmc.state.pa.us. Retrieved 2016-02-25.
  5. "Pennypacker Mills Scope of Collections". Montgomery County, PA. Archived from the original on December 31, 2013. Retrieved December 30, 2013.