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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/





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ABOUT NSHS

In 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 Township

Newtown 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.


WHY PRESERVE HISTORY?

As historians and preservationists, we must decide what to work to preserve, determine how best to preserve it, and then what to do with it. Pictures and newspaper clippings in folders in filing cabinets are a beginning, but not an ending.  Our history is recorded in photographs, documents, census records, tax records, but also in household goods, tools, diaries, and oral histories that recount daily life. We can bring particular stories to public view through articles in local newspapers, blogs, and social media posts. All of these items help to bring history alive. Education programs can bring that history to the community – through monthly programs aimed at adults, and through educational programs aimed at children. Having a museum that preserves these historic items is a wonderful way to educate our residents, young and old alike, about the importance of our history. We do all of this and more. But it takes a lot of volunteer effort to make it all happen. The wonderful thing is that for every interest, and for every skill, there is a place for you to shine in the Society – a place for artists, photographers, writers, teachers, catalogers, guides, program and ad sellers, event planners, and business people who can coordinate the multifaceted efforts that are needed.

NSHS Board of Directors

President: Cathy Cavalier-Gach
Vice President: Vince Gutierrez
Treasurer: Louis Rosenthal
Secretary: Mary Reaney
Solicitor: John Custer
Curator, Communications, Programs: Doug Humes
Membership: Larry Fischer

Guides: Nancy Falcone

Events: Cathy Cavalier-Gach
Facilities: Vince Gutierrez

Library Liaison:  Arlene Caruso

Creative Arts Director:  Kathy Agostinelli

Performing Arts Director:  Ceil Mann

Historic Renovation & Construction Specialist: Frank Falcone

Newtown Trails and Greenways Liaison: Joe Kasuka

At Large: Walt Albert


Contact board members by sending an email to info@nshistory.org and including their name in the subject.

Contact Us

info@nshistory.org610-975-0290 • P.O Box 3, Newtown Square, PA 19073


The Newtown Square Historical Society is a community volunteer organization. We get our principal funding from you, our members, patrons, neighbors, and friends. Without your support, we cannot do all that we do. We are a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, and your donations are charitable deductions as permitted by law.

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