Another historic gem in Delco, which was home to a signer of the Delclaration of Independence…read more (Below info from Wiki and the Morton Project Websites): The homestead was founded in 1654 by Morton Mortenson, a Finnish immigrant, however, the structure itself, was originally constructed circa 1698. The Morton Homestead was home to Morton Mortenson, and subsequent Morton family members. The Homestead sits in what was once the colony of New Sweden, and it is one of the oldest buildings in Pennsylvania. Morton Homestead is now part of Morton Homestead State Park in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. Parts of the current house date back to the 1698 with a large addition constructed in the 18th century. The site was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970. Mortenson's great-grandson, John Morton, signed the Declaration of Independence. John Morton cast the tie-breaking vote for independence as a member of the Pennsylvania delegation to the Continental Congress in 1776. John Morton is absent from many stories of American independence, but historical records paint a different picture. Morton's service included representing Pennsylvania in the mysterious Stamp Act Congress that adopted a Declaration of Rights and Grievances for the British government. He was later chosen as a Pennsylvania delegate to the First Continental Congress and selected again for the Second Continental Congress, where he cast the decisive ballot that swung the Pennsylvania delegation over to an affirmative vote for independence.

SO COOL!! So much history here it's amazing to see. I was…read moreable to take our wedding photos here and I'll post them so you can see how amazing of a backdrop it is!! Totally recommend

One of the things I never realized until I left Philadelphia was the sheer mass of historical…read moreplaces and artifacts I was surrounded by. There are so many places that are important to understanding where we came from that some end up becoming obscure, unknown, sometimes demolished in the name of progress. Then there are those that are saved from that fate, usually by passionate historians and community members who lobby to save the place from being destroyed. In the case of the Lazaretto Quarantine Station and Hospital, they succeeded - just barely. It is a success story worthy of a Hallmark special. The Lazaretto Quarantine Station and Hospital was the first of its kind, built and put into service after the Fever of 1793 swept through Philadelphia, killing 25% of the city's residents. This Quarantine station was built by the City of Philadelphia, long before the Federal Government became interested in such matters, because of the devastation of 1793. The Station served as a first point of entry for ships coming from abroad, where passengers were screened for contagious diseases and either held until their health was assured, turned away or let pass. It, along with the more famous Ellis Island, served as a major portal for immigrants coming to the United States for over one hundred years. It ceased being an immigration point in 1895, after which it was used as a port for seaplanes, an athletic club, and for many years after that, an abandoned property. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972, which gave it some protection. It was the threat of demolition that saved it, when a group of citizens and historians worked with Tinicum Township and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to restore the property. It is now home to Tinicum Townships' government offices. Walking around the building, still being restored, it's breathtaking. The long porch facing the river is stunning, the rooms all being carefully preserved while being updated with modern conveniences. I love that this has been done and love that it will continue to serve the residents of the Commonwealth, not from infectious disease, but serving as a place where they might get a building permit, enact ordinances, meet on issues concerning their community. Call this one a win for history.

Yes right here in little ole DELCO the Slinky Toy was invented! I don't know about you but as a…read morechild, mother and now grandmother the Slinky is one all of my all time favorites. The toy is simplistic ingenuity that will live forever. A toy that is inexpensive and takes little to no energy or talent to enjoy. Invented in Clifton Heights, PA in Delaware County by Richard James in the early 1940's, still owned and made in Pennsylvania under the leadership of Richard and Betty James children. Betty was also a integral part of the operation ensuring the Slinky would be affordable to all. I vividly remember attempting to master the Slinky walking the stairs, to no avail. But it was enjoyable all the same. Many years later my grandchildren are enjoying the Slinky toy. It's amazing how now they are made in so many fun colors. It' Slinky, it's slinky a wonderful, wonderful toy, fun for a girl and a boy!!

Little-known cultural jewel in Delaware County! I believe when we took the tour they said this is…read morethe oldest structure still standing in Delco! First, yes, this is kind of out of the way of more obvious places, and is on some "back roads" for those not familiar with that part of Delco ("back roads" as in winding through the residential parts of Brookhaven/Upland, not as in some rural route). You will literally have to drive through a neighborhood of 20thC homes in order to get to Race Street, where what remains of the plantation is located. But it's easy enough to get to, with "Pusey Plantation" signs pointing the way when you are close, and definitely worth the trip. The address says Brookhavem but it really seems like it is in Upland, FYI. The location is kind of behind some project housing, which is so bizarre given the fact that this used to be a homestead on a 100-acre farm. But don't think you are in the wrong place, just keep going until you see it around the corner. The heavily constructed area will open up to a small park and the old home. It's a little oasis in the middle of sprawl and creeping citification. The tour (offered May - Oct), is really intimate in the tiny house, and the antiques and period items are very cool to see up close. The guide was personable, and very friendly about asking questions and showing her love of local culture and the history of the home. They host a fall festival which is great for kids (as is the tour, which they adjust for kids' interest levels). Here is info from their website: "Built in 1683 and occupied by Caleb Pusey, this is the only building still standing which can claim documented association with the Proprietor, William Penn, and which he is known to have visited on several occasions. This unique English Vernacular house stands beside Race Street, the small road once paralleling the millrace that brought water from Chester Creek to power the mills."

This is a wonderful family friendly event to attend and a good way to see the cabin. I hear it is…read moreopen more regularly during warmer months. Be prepared to park further away and walk if you need to as this is in very small space. Apparently there used to be a smokehouse here, but when it was being fixed up in 2015 or 2016, a tree fell on it a few hours after the repairman left for the day. Thank goodness the repairman was not hurt. Many decades ago, before organization(s) took this place over, locals would use this place for the usual of any form of debauchery that you can think of. It was nice to try to meet people and very casual, but I felt out of place. I had attended the Swedish museum's outdoor market and Lucia The Weeknd before, and a volunteer recommended I check the cabin out. I suggest that for special events that you check the cabin out with a friend or a child if you have that option to feel less out of place.

Fabulous site of an early Swedish cabin built between 1640 and 1650 along Darby Creek…read more This is one of the oldest surviving structures from the 1600s.

We had a lovely time at the Rose Valley Museum. The history in Pennsylvania is amazing and this is…read morejust the start of our exploration of history and culture in Delaware County and beyond. Also known as the Thunderbird Lodge, this was a community of artist who started with a leap of faith in 1904 with approximately 60 people and moved here from Paoli. They started a community of woodworking enthusiasts, artists, painters, writers etc.. and were very successful in the arts and crafts movement. The museum was opened in 2017 to the public and has been thriving ever since. The property is approximately laid across one acre of land. There is a wonderful gift shop with may artifacts from the eighteenths and nineteenths centuries, that you may purchase for yourself or others to enjoy for your own pleasure Please, if you live in Delaware County come experience the history of our community and give back to the ones that keep our history alive. There is a mere $10 donation collected at the door when you enter. Unfortunately, the building is not handicapped accessible due to the structure and the artifacts in the building, but this is a great place for couples, especially if you are planning to be in the area or families who want to come to visit and enjoy a day trip learning some historical history about our community. Thank you to the volunteers who were so knowledgeable about this project and extremely helpful to us.

The Rose Valley Museum has been around a little over a year now, but I just discovered it a couple…read moreweeks ago. When I took a look at their events and saw a whiskey & chocolate tasting, um, I was there! Admission is $10 for non-members, but with our $20 event, we got free admission to the museum. I'll explain the museum first, and the event we attended, below. The museum is housed in Thunderbird Lodge, designed by architect, Will Price, who was the father of the Rose Valley craftsmen guild at the beginning of the 20thC. The museum is primarily dedicated to this era in Rose Valley's history, however, there are Native American artifacts, remnants of RV's 18th/19thC. Quaker inhabitancy, and other facets of the borough's history, to learn about, as well. The interior of the lodge is gorgeous! Exposed beams, Arts & Crafts features everywhere, handmade EVERYTHING! Artfully laid fireplace stones, hand-hewn stair railings, leaded glass windows! There were handmade Moravian tiles wherever appropriate (Will Price was friends with Mercer). Just art everywhere! The main room you hit upon entry is where they hold events. Beyond there, you find a sitting room and dining room, arranged for use with original Rose Valley furniture, and period lamps, rugs, and decor, all either made by the original guild, or authentic to the period, and part of the Arts & Crafts style. I saw some Tiffany type lamps, but no Van Erp. Furniture was Stickley style, with a little more rusticism and character, IMO, which adds to the charm. I saw a lot of Art Nouveau pieces, especially in things like candlesticks, pottery, and smaller carved wood decorative objects. Tons of pottery was housed in china cabinets, and glass cases. The woodwork for the trim and built-ins around the lodge is high quality, and beautiful. They are currently restoring it back to its original form (for example, the dining room used to have a curved gold-leaf ceiling). Loads to see, especially if you admire this aesthetic. Since we were there for an evening event, there were various fireplaces roaring, adding so much to the ambiance, as well as candles, and parchment-shaded lamps. It was so cozy and inviting! Upstairs is another large room, which housed a more eclectic array of Rose Valley history. There is a small hand-carved totem pole, papier-mâché animal heads, an original guild worktable, antique train station sign for Moylan-Rose Valley, more original furniture pieces, Plein Air painting, portrait of Price, etc. If you are at all curious about the Arts & Crafts movement, they have truly captured a great feel for its flavor at this museum! ---------------------- Now, the event! I highly recommend trying one of their gatherings! The museum's board was there, and they run things, hands-on, like devoted hospitality ambassadors! They are all so welcoming and friendly. We seriously felt like we'd been invited to a 70-person dinner party, and had conversations with almost all of the board members. They were amazing hosts! Note that this event was sold out, and they had a waiting list, with people at the door hoping to get in. They allow you to sign up online, so if you see something you want, get it! Our tasting was four different rounds of whiskey drink, personally made up by a board member, who knows his stuff. Each round was paired with a chocolate from Shane Confectionery in Philly. Our aficionado announced each round with a fun story, and gave all the details of his ingredients' origins. Every table had ice and water if needed (not for me!). They even went around and offered everyone seconds, and sometimes thirds, on each round... I politely accepted a few of those. We got more than our money's worth, it was amazing! After the tasting, they had a full spread of hors d'oeuvres to help sober up, but, for those hoping to keep the party going, there was also a bar available. Everything was beautifully, tastefully done. I can't wait to try another event!

Princeton is a beautiful college town and I could spend days exploring every nook and cranny. Among…read moreone of the hidden gems in Princeton, is venturing the very same steps that Albert Einstein walked. What an incredible experience for me. Despite countless visits back East, I didn't appreciate it as much as I do now that I've gotten older. If I return here after all the COVID restrictions, I hope to spend more time here.

While the mansion is still undergoing renovations so we were not able to include that and so my…read morereview may change in the future. Don't expect to take even a full afternoon visiting but it is a lovely preserved estate around the city. There's some goats, and the grounds are enjoyable to take an hour or so to walk with nice historical signs for context. There is some parking but it likely gets packed in high traffic times. I can't put it in my top gardens available for Philadelphia, it's good to have treasures like these to keep the sense of history and love of horticulture the area has long held.

This is a really cute hidden local treasure - very charming and pretty. We had some wedding photos…read moretaken here, so it will always have a special place in our hearts! Lots of cool spots outside for photos, and the inside is really cute as well. I'm not sure they usually open the house, but the grounds are very nice to walk around. We stopped by again recently and had some time to reminisce before heading out because it was too cold.