The (Not so) Rural Pennsylvanian

  • The Historic Pawling Farm

    The Pawling Farm is part of Valley Forge National Historical Park and sits on the Perkiomen Peninsula, which is created by a bend in the Schuylkill River near its confluence with the Perkiomen Creek. This area played a critical role in the winter encampment of George Washington’s troops in 1777-78. It was a strategically important avenue of approach from the north to the encampment on the south side of the river and also served as the site of a commissary function that saved the troops from starvation. The National Park Service brochure on the area can be found here.

    Currently the property’s main buildings include an old barn, a small home (which currently appears to be in use), a privy building, and the remains of the old mansion. The mansion was lost to fire in 1967 and is now a ruin. There are hiking trails which connect to the rest of the Valley Forge system and a mix of habitats including meadow, forest, wetlands, and vernal ponds.

    The old barn is an impressive structure.
    A view of the house and barn. You can see here that the barn is a bank barn like the one in Sugartown in my previous post.
    The house that remains on the property, apparently the only building still in use.
    The area immediately around the buildings is meadow which is cut for hay.
    More hay bales, just because I like hay bales.
    According to my research, this building was used as a privy.
    The privy with the remains of another building behind it.

    Here are some overview shots and other views of the farm.

  • A Stoneleigh Christmas

    The Stoneleigh Natural Garden in Montgomery County is a recent addition to the the Natural Lands Trust. The mansion house on the property hosted a Christmas open house on a recent weekend. Although the property is open all but Mondays, Christmas, and Thanksgiving, the house is open only for special events. This property has been used as a residence since 1877, with the current house dating to the turn of the twentieth century. The history of the property can be found here.

    After entering the house you soon come to the grand staircase

    This is quite an impressive staircase.
    This room also holds a large fireplace.
    There are some beautiful stained glass windows to the side of the fireplace (with some additional commentary from yours truly).
    There was a lovely Christmas tree just off the dining room
    There is beautiful woodwork throughout the house.
    This plant needs no introduction.
    A look out one of the upstairs windows.
    The view down an upstairs hall.

    I thoroughly enjoyed my visit and will focus on the exterior and grounds in upcoming posts.

  • More Christmas in Black and White

    Here are some Christmas scenes from Phoenixville this past Saturday night.

    There was quite a crowd going through town.
    A visit with Santa.
    It was a “starry” night.
    Time for a night cap.

    I followed up by visiting the Luminaria display at the Lock 60 Recreation Area on the Schuykill River in Mont Clare.

    This was impressive in an eerie sort of way.

  • Fall in Valley Forge

    Although it seems that fall color was late to arrive and short lived, Valley Forge National Historical Park has non the less supplied some nice views. Here is a sampling from a recent visit.

    Knox Covered Bridge, Tredyffrin Township, Chester County.

     

    Another view of the Knox Covered Bridge.

     

    View of General Knox’s Quarters from the Philander C. Knox Estate.

     

    Recently baled hay near the Knox estate.

     

    Historic pony truss bridge on Wilson Road over Valley Creek.

     

    Lafayette’s Headquarters, later used as a farmhouse and inn. Interesting to see three sections from different time periods.

     

    View of the hillside from the model airplane field at Valley Forge.

  • Ready For a Ride

    Saw this lovely horse at Evansburg State Park being prepared for a trail ride.

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