I'm going to need to file this under my "D'Oh! I should have gone here long ago" folder. You see, I…read moregrew up nearby this place. Have seen the signs thousands of times along Earlington Road. NMT has friends who live a block away. Yet I have never, ever been there. This changed when dear friend PhillyGal, up from Virginia for a visit, suggested we go to see the house decorated and the trains. Sure, I know right where it is but have never been there. Yes, really. The Grange estate is interesting in that it's nestled along a slope ending in Darby Creek, tucked at the back of a 1950s single home development and bordered on one side by US1- City Ave. Back in the 1970s there was talk about the estate being purchased by a developer, whose plans were to knock it down and build houses. The neighborhood rallied, got Haverford Township involved, saving it literally at the last moment. The Grange is a historic estate, with it's origins dating back before the Revolutionary War, and it's owner during the war was John Gross, who financed uniforms for the Revolutionaries. George Washington dined there several times, and The Marquis de Lafayette was a close friend who stayed there. The estate was named after The Marquis' "La Grange" estate in France. We learn all of this, and more, from a quite knowledgable and animated tour guide, who also shared that she was the last of the 1970s group who lobbied to save the Grange and convinced Haverford Township to buy the property & preserve it. She told us how they were ready to chain themselves to the gates if needed. Now she volunteers, showing us interesting things and sharing how life was lived in this house. Next to the 'main house' is a barn, substantial in size, and within it for the holidays model train enthusiasts set up quite elaborate railways for all to enjoy. I was impressed. The main house, barn and trails are wall well maintained, the landscaping lush even in December. There is a caretaker who lives in part of the house full time and their work definitely contributes. As this is owned by Haverford Township, there is no admission fee and no fee to do a self-guided tour. They ask $5 donation to the Friends of The Grange for a guide led. It's a bargain. The house when we visited was decorated beautifully for the holidays, with different themes in each room, including a pretty mind-boggling "Santa" room. Note: when you go, there is a small-fish parking lot and there is some street parking in the neighborhood. It's an easy walk from SEPTA buses and The Norristown High Speed Line, so that's a good way to go. The Grange is definitely one of those 'hidden gems' that not only tells us stories about its inhabitants, but also about the role some of the 'lesser known' supporters of the Revolution played in the securing of our freedoms. It's well worth the time to go spend some time there.

Cute little place to walk your dogs. They have some running water and a windmill, some old…read morecottages, and a cute small trail. There's some water in case your dog likes to take a dip.