OLDEST -- House in New Hope, Pennsylvania
N 40° 21.723 W 074° 57.053
18T E 504170 N 4467943
Considering the pre-colonial nature of this town, and its tangible link to the cultural heritage of America, being the oldest house in this town is a real feat! A historic sign @ the intersection of W. Mechanic & South Main Street marks the site.
Waymark Code: WM6M2D
Location: Pennsylvania, United States
Date Posted: 06/18/2009
Views: 6
New Town is as old and historic as it is popular and trendy. The historic society has placed a number of these signs about town to raise awareness and increase appreciation of New Hope's cultural history and highlight these old homes. This is the second of such signs I have found. It is such a beautiful place to visit and there is so much to learn. The house is a wonderful example of mid-colonial stone architecture. The Bucks County Conservancy and the New Hope Historical Society have both marked this house, having markers placed to the right of the front door. The historic marker can be found at N 40° 21.717 W 074° 57.038.
The historic marker reads: "This is the oldest stone house in New Hope. It was built in 1743 by Ichabod Wilkinson, an iron master from providence, Rhode island. The structure is an excellent example of colonial "kitchen parlor" style. Mary Wilkinson, Ichabod's daughter married Joshua Vansant and they lived in the house for many years. Vansant was a builder and early developer of the town. In the late 1800s, when the roof was being replaced, grapeshot was found imbedded in the wood. Grapeshot was allegedly fired by the British soldiers from across the Delaware River in December 1776."