While the Barns-Brinton House was officially put on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971, it took another 43 years before there was a plaque to that effect.
That plaque was officially unveiled during a brief ceremony at a June 21 colonial fair at the property. State Sen. Dominic Pileggi and state Rep. Stephen Barrar were on hand for the festivities. Barrar presented members of the society with a flag that had flown over the state capital building and a citation in honor of the house and the society’s efforts to maintain the historic site.
The house was built in 1714 along “Ye Olde Road to Nottingham” — now Route 1 — the main road between Philadelphia and Baltimore when the Americas were British colonies. It was a home, a tavern and an inn.
According to architect John Milner — who specializes in historic preservation — it was a place where people got their news.
“Think of the conversations that they had there,” he said.
He said it was remarkable to him that the house survived along Route 1. But it is a historically significant property. Most of the brickwork is original and the architecture itself is significant.
The house was standing during the 1777 Battle of Brandywine and artist Barclay Rubincam painted “Hessians Marching Past the Barns-Brinton House At the Battle of Brandywine” to depict that significance.
Pileggi commented on the importance of preserving history and Barrar said the only way the house was preserved was through the efforts of volunteers.
The citation he presented recognized those volunteer efforts of CFHS members.
“The Barns-Brinton House should be held in high regard,” he said.
Former Historical Society board member and Chadds Ford Township resident Kathy Wandersee also spoke. She said it was the volunteers who raised the money to buy and restore the property.
“There were a lot of programs here, even a Super Bowl party,” she said.
In addition to the formal program, there was food, drink and entertainment. Wally’s Dog House, The Meat House and Victory Brewing Co. were on hand as were colonial dancers and Lisë Taylor with samples of the bread she bakes in the beehive oven at the John Chads’ House, another of the properties owned and maintained by the Chadds Ford Historical Society.
Tours of the house were also offered.
About Rich Schwartzman
Rich Schwartzman has been reporting on events in the greater Chadds Ford area since September 2001 when he became the founding editor of The Chadds Ford Post. In April 2009 he became managing editor of ChaddsFordLive. He is also an award-winning photographer.
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