White Horse Tavern (East Whiteland Township, Pennsylvania)
White Horse Tavern | |
 White Horse Tavern, August 2023 | |
   | |
| Location | Northwest of Malvern at 606 Swedesford Road, East Whiteland Township, Pennsylvania |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 40°02′30″N 75°34′41″W / 40.04167°N 75.57806°W |
| Area | 1.8 acres (0.73 ha) |
| Built | c. 1750, c. 1790 |
| NRHP reference No. | 78002373[1] |
| Added to NRHP | December 29, 1978 |
The White Horse Tavern, also known as the White Horse Inn and Old Swanenburg Farm, is a historic American inn and tavern located in East Whiteland Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania.
It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.[1]
History and architectural features
[edit]Edward Kinnison of Chester County, Pennsylvania, was the second owner of the White Horse Tavern. He was born about 1675 and a devoted Quaker. When he was 22, he was seriously ill for 26 weeks. The court paid John Sanger for keeping him during his illness. By the time he married Mary Greenaway the 11th day 10th month 1703 he already owned several lots in Chester. His intentions of marriage were recorded in several minutes of the Quaker faith.
Edward is cited as a brickmaker when he purchased 2 ½ acres from James Sunderland in 1702.[xxiv] He acted as constable in West Chester in 1710 and had a tavern license for many years. The Kinnison home and property were part of the White Horse Tavern.
This historic building consists of two sections. The original section dates to circa 1720,[2] and is a two-story, stuccoed stone structure. The western section was added circa 1790. Located at mile marker 24 on the Old Lancaster Road, it was an overnight stop on the first stage from Philadelphia to Lancaster. Thomas Jefferson stayed at the tavern on September 4, 1776.[3] It was also an important stop for Washington's messenger from Valley Forge to Lancaster, when the latter served as the temporary U.S. capital.[4]
It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
- ^ James, Thomas (October 12, 1721). "Classified Ad". American Weekly Mercury. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
- ^ Jefferson, Thomas. "Persona Journal". Thomas Jefferson Memorandum Books 1776: 10.
- ^ "National Historic Landmarks & National Register of Historic Places in Pennsylvania" (Searchable database). CRGIS: Cultural Resources Geographic Information System. Note: This includes David and Caroline Dillman; Madeline L. Cohen & Doris M. Powell (n.d.). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory Inventory-Nomination: White Horse Tavern" (PDF). Retrieved 2012-11-01.
- Hotel buildings completed in 1720
- Hotel buildings on the National Register of Historic Places in Pennsylvania
- Buildings and structures in Chester County, Pennsylvania
- 1720 establishments in Pennsylvania
- National Register of Historic Places in Chester County, Pennsylvania
- Drinking establishments on the National Register of Historic Places in Pennsylvania
- Philadelphia campaign