General Washington Inn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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General Washington Inn
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General Washington Inn, February 2011
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 Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Location | Uwchlan and E. Lancaster Aves., Downingtown, Pennsylvania |
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| Area | 1.8 acres (0.73 ha) |
| Built | 1761 |
| Architectural style | Georgian, Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 79002197 |
| Added to NRHP | August 22, 1979 |
The General Washington Inn is a very old and important building located in Downingtown, Pennsylvania, in Chester County, Pennsylvania. It used to be a place where travelers could stay (an inn) and also a public house where people could gather and drink (a tavern). This historic building has stood for centuries, playing a part in the local community's story.
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Discovering the General Washington Inn
The General Washington Inn was built way back in 1761. That means it's over 260 years old! It's made from strong materials like fieldstone and limestone. These are natural stones that give the building a solid, classic look.
A Look at its Unique Design
The building is two and a half stories tall. It measures about 62 feet long and 35 feet wide. Imagine a long, sturdy building! A special feature on the front is a one-story verandah. This is like a covered porch that runs along the entire front of the building. It would have been a great place to relax.
The inn's design mixes two old styles of building: Georgian architecture and Federal architecture. Georgian style was popular in the 1700s and often used balanced, grand designs. Federal style came a bit later, around the late 1700s and early 1800s. It often added more decorative details and a sense of elegance. The General Washington Inn shows elements of both these historical styles.
A Place of Firsts
The General Washington Inn is famous for being the location of the very first post office in Chester County. This post office was set up in 1796. A post office is where letters and packages are sent and received. Back then, having a post office was a big deal. It helped people communicate across distances and connected the community to the wider world.
Honored as a Historic Place
Because of its long history and unique features, the General Washington Inn was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. This is a special list kept by the United States government. Buildings and places on this list are considered important to the history of the country. Being on the list helps protect these places and makes sure they are preserved for future generations to learn from and enjoy.
