WELCOME TO THE NEWTOWN SQUARE HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Welcome to the Newtown Square Historical Society. Founded in 1981 by civic minded residents, the society continues its mission to preserve the rich history of Newtown Township. We offer multiple programs to reach out to our community, volunteer opportunities for residents of all ages and events throughout the year at our many historic locations. Please browse our website and vast pictorial history of our town and consider becoming a member.
The 1828 Paper Mill House Museum and History Center, St. David's Road at Paper Mill Road will be open on Saturday from 12:00 to 4:00pm. Tour guides will be available on site.
The Historical Society was thrilled to offer a big Thank You! to State Representative Lisa Borowski, Supervisors Leonard Altieri, Tina Roberts Lightcap and Kathryn Chandless, and Director of Public Works George Sharretts for working together to obtain a grant for the much-needed replacement of the Paper Mill House cedar shake roof. The Society is very proud of the cooperative efforts our township and state representative provided toward this historical restoration!!!
Historic Sites in Newtown Square Did you know that there are over 100 historic sites in Newtown Square? Over the next few months, we will be presenting a thumbnail sketch of a selection of these historic buildings in our community, and feature some of the owners who live in them.
Roberts Harrison House (1700c)3401 St. Davids Road This stately, stucco over stone farmhouse was built in two sections. The earliest section, now the living room, was originally two rooms with back- to-back fireplaces. It was built in the mid 1700's and though much altered over the years, still has fine random-width floors and pine cupboards remaining. The later section built in 1846 has a date stone in the gable which reads "LD JLL 1846." Down the road at 303 Earles Lane is the springhouse that was originally part of the farm property. Lewis Lewis, original owner of the oldest section, was a son of William Lewis, Sr. who came to Haverford from Wales in 1686, and then to Newtown Township. The father’s house still stands on West Goshen Road. In 1701, Lewis Lewis was on the committee to lay out and survey roads in Newtown Township and later was a constable and member of the Grand Jury. The house stayed in the Lewis family for all of the 19th century. James Jonas Lewis was a long-time resident, and at his death in 1883, he was called “one of the best known and most prized citizens of Delaware County”, having served in the legislature and various other public capacities. The property became part of the Earle estate in the early 1900’s. Mr. & Mrs. Edward B. Allen Jr. acquired the property in 1957 and stayed for about 40 years. Mr. Allen was an All-American football fullback who played at the University of Pennsylvania, and then played briefly with the Chicago Bears, He coached the Drexel Dragons football team before retiring from sports to devote full time to his investment business. Follow this link to see the full 80-page book "Newtown Square - Preserving Our History" featuring 27 historic homes in Newtown Square along with stories from some of the owners of these homes. A FREE copy of this book is available at the Paper Mill House Museum & History Center on Paper Mill Road.https://online.fliphtml5.com/hplxj/bcod/ | Upcoming events
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ABOUT NSHSIn 1981 several historically minded residents of Newtown (Delaware County, PA) decided to host a celebration for Newtown’s 300th anniversary. A year of activities and a wonderful parade were the impetus to the creation of the Newtown Square Historical Society in 1984. The main purposes of the Society are to protect, preserve and promote the historic resources of the Township, as well as to tell its story. We are an all volunteer, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization funded through member donations, fundraising and grants. All contributions to the Society are tax deductible, and go to support the work and programs of the Society. |
The Founding of Newtown TownshipNewtown Township dates to 1681, when William Penn planned two inland “new towns” (the second one is Newtown, Bucks County) in which buyers who bought plots of farm land would be entitled to a “Townstead” plot in the new town planned for the intersection of Newtown Street Road and Goshen Road. The original settlers were Welsh Quakers, drawn to the new world by relatively cheap land, Penn’s promise of religious tolerance, and the prospects of new beginnings. Newtown remained a farming community from that time until after World War II, when it began growing into a suburban bedroom community outside of Philadelphia, 15 miles due east. |
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