Downingtown Log House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Downingtown Log House
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Downingtown Log House in 2022
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 Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Location | 15 E. Lancaster Ave., Downingtown, Pennsylvania |
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| Area | 1.2 acres (0.49 ha) |
| Built | c. 1700 |
| Architectural style | Log house |
| NRHP reference No. | 79002195 |
| Added to NRHP | May 24, 1979 |
The Downingtown Log House is a very old and special house in Downingtown, Pennsylvania. It was built around the year 1700. This makes it one of the oldest buildings in the area! It's called a log house because it has one and a half stories, unlike a smaller log cabin which usually has only one floor. This historic building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979, recognizing its importance.
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Discovering the Log House's Past
The Log House was built around 1700 by early English settlers. We don't know the exact builder, but it was either Jeremiah Collett or Joseph Hickman. This house is the oldest building from European settlers still standing in central Chester County.
How the House Was Used
In 1713, a man named Thomas Moore bought the property. He built one of the first grist mills in the county across the street in 1716. A grist mill is a place where grain is ground into flour.
During the 1700s, the Log House was used for many different things. It was a home, a tavern (a place to eat and drink), and even a trading post. A trading post was where people could buy and sell goods. Later, in the 1800s and early 1900s, it became a house that people rented. The house is located near Brandywine Creek and the Philadelphia and Lancaster Turnpike, which was an important road.
Who Owned the Log House?
The Downing family owned the house for about 200 years. In 1940, Thomas W. Downing gave the property to the Borough of Downingtown.
The house was fixed up in 1947. From 1950 to 1988, it was the main office for the Downingtown Chamber of Commerce. In 1989, the house was restored again. It was also moved about 70 feet from its original spot because it was too close to a busy road. Today, you can visit the house!
What is the Log House Made Of?
The house was built using 62 logs. These logs came from chestnut, oak, and white pine trees. All of these original logs are still part of the house today.
The roof of the house is made of cedar shingles. The outside of the house is covered in a white coating called whitewash. The way the logs fit together at the corners is called "saddle notched." This style was common for English Quaker log buildings. There are also some building ideas from Sweden, like a special window on the south wall and horizontal planks on the ends of the roof.
See also
