White Horse Tavern (East Whiteland Township, Pennsylvania)

White Horse Tavern
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
White Horse Tavern, August 2023
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Location	Northwest of Malvern at 606 Swedesford Road, East Whiteland Township, Pennsylvania
Coordinates	40°02′30″N75°34′41″W / 40.04167°N 75.57806°W / 40.04167; -75.57806
Area	1.8 acres (0.73 ha)
Built	c. 1720, c. 1790
NRHP reference No.	78002373 [1]
Added to NRHP	December 29, 1978

The White Horse Tavern, also known as the White Horse Inn and Old Swanenburg Farm, is a historic American inn and tavern located in East Whiteland Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania.

It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. ^[1]

History and architectural features

The building consists of two sections. The original section dates to circa 1720, ^[2] and is a two-story, stuccoed stone structure. The western section was added circa 1790. Located at mile marker 24 on the Old Lancaster Road, it was an overnight stop on the first stage from Philadelphia to Lancaster. Thomas Jefferson stayed at the tavern on September 4, 1776. ^[3] It was also an important stop for Washington's messenger from Valley Forge to Lancaster, when the latter served as the temporary U.S. capital. ^[4]

It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. ^[1]

References

1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places . National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
2. James, Thomas (October 12, 1721). "Classified Ad". American Weekly Mercury. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
3. Jefferson, Thomas. "Persona Journal". Thomas Jefferson Memorandum Books 1776: 10.
4. "National Historic Landmarks & National Register of Historic Places in Pennsylvania" (Searchable database). CRGIS: Cultural Resources Geographic Information System.Note: This includes David and Caroline Dillman; Madeline L. Cohen & Doris M. Powell (n.d.). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory Inventory-Nomination: White Horse Tavern" (PDF). Retrieved November 1, 2012.