Brotherton Farm facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Brotherton Farm
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 Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Location | Southwest of Chambersburg on Falling Spring Road, Guilford Township |
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| Area | 7.9 acres (3.2 ha) |
| Built | c. 1820 |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 79002227 |
| Added to NRHP | March 30, 1979 |
Brotherton Farm, also known as the Brotherton-McKenzie Farm, is a very old and important house and farm in Guilford Township, Franklin County, Pennsylvania. It's a special place because it shows us what farms were like a long time ago. This farm is a great example of history that we can still see today.
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Discovering Brotherton Farm
Brotherton Farm is more than just a house; it's a whole collection of buildings that worked together. These buildings help us understand how people lived and farmed many years ago. The farm covers about 7.9 acres of land.
The Main House
The main house at Brotherton Farm was built around 1820. That's over 200 years ago! It's a two-story house made of strong limestone. The house has five sections across the front. It's shaped like the letter "L" and has a two-story part at the back.
The house is built in a style called Federal style. This style was popular in the United States after the American Revolution. Federal style homes often look balanced and simple. They usually have windows that are placed evenly.
Other Important Buildings
Besides the main house, there are other old buildings on the farm that are still standing. These buildings were very important for daily life and farming.
The Springhouse
One of these buildings is a stone spring house. It's a small, one-and-a-half-story building. A springhouse was built over a natural spring. The cool water from the spring helped keep food fresh before refrigerators existed. People would store milk, butter, and other foods there.
The Wash House
There's also a wash house made of wood. As you might guess, this is where people did their laundry. Washing clothes was a big job in the past. Having a separate building for it helped keep the main house clean and dry.
The Bank Barn
Another key building is the wooden bank barn. A bank barn is special because it's built into the side of a hill or "bank." This design allows you to enter the upper level from the ground on one side and the lower level from the ground on the other side. The upper level was often used for storing hay and grain. The lower level was usually for animals like cows or horses.
Why is Brotherton Farm Important?
Brotherton Farm was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. The National Register is a list of places in the United States that are important to history. When a place is on this list, it means it's recognized for its historical value. It helps make sure these special places are protected for future generations to learn from.
The farm shows us what life was like for families in Pennsylvania in the early 1800s. It helps us understand how people built their homes and managed their farms. It's a living piece of history that tells a story about the past.
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The old springhouse, where food was kept cool.
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The front of the main house, built around 1820.
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A view of the south side of Brotherton Farm.
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The back part of the house, seen from the northeast.
