Wyeth home preserved

Posted by Rich Schwartzman on March 25, 2025

The main house on the Davis Tract, where N.C. Wyeth once lived and worked, will become the headquarters for the North American Land Trust, according to NALT President Steve Carter.

NALT, the North American Land Trust, is getting ready to preserve the 16-acre Davis Tract in Chadds Ford Township, a former home of N.C. Wyeth. The township was awarded a grant of almost $2 million from the American Battlefield Protection Program administered by the National Park Service, and NALT is the sub-recipient of the money to complete the purchase, according to NALT President Steve Carter.

The $1.8 million National Park Service grant is part of $2.3 million in grants designed to preserve 172 acres of Civil War and Revolutionary War battlefield sites. The Davis Tract was part of Gen. George Washington’s defense line prior to the start of the Sept. 11, 1777, Battle of Brandywine.

“We were relieved to finally receive notice of the ABPP grant award, particularly with the turbulence across different agencies in the federal government. This landmark grant award will help ensure the successful completion of our yearlong acquisition efforts resulting in the permanent protection and availability of this important community resource,” Carter said in an email interview.”

The property is on the north side of Route 1, just east of the Barn Shops. Most recently it was the home of the Camp Family.

Carter said the acquisition should be finalized within days. Once that’s final, NALT will begin work transitioning the site from a residence to a community resource.

“This landmark grant award will help ensure the successful completion of our yearlong acquisition efforts resulting in the permanent protection and availability of this important community resource,” he said.

Among the initial priorities, Carter said, are to improve the visibility from Route 1, install a “modest parking area,” and create a pedestrian trail system on the property.

“First priorities include improved accessibility from Route 1, establishment of a modest parking area, and pedestrian trail system traversing the property,” he said.

He said they plan to modify the driveway for better ingress and egress and are working with PennDOT on that. The main house will become NALT’s headquarters building.

NALT also maintains the Brinton Run Preserve off Oakland Road. As previously reported, the land trust is creating a pollinator habitat there and, Carter said, a pollinator habitat is planned for the Davis Tract.

The township is pleased with the acquisition, according to Chadds Ford Township manager Lacey Faber who said, “On behalf of the Board of Supervisors and Open Space Committee, we are thrilled to be a part of preserving the historic 1597 Baltimore Pike property, formerly the residence of the esteemed N.C. Wyeth. Partnering with North American Land Trust shows our continued dedication to conserving open space in Chadds Ford, safeguarding its history, and establishing a vibrant community.”

Chadds Ford Township holds the permanent conservation easement on Brinton Run Preserve and, Carter said, the township would also hold the permanent easement on the Joseph Davis Tract.

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.