Hope Lodge (Whitemarsh Township, Pennsylvania) facts for kids
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Hope Lodge
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Hope Lodge, circa 1937.
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| Location | Fort Washington, Pennsylvania |
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| Built | 1750 |
| Architect | Edmund Woolley |
| Architectural style | Georgian |
| NRHP reference No. | 72001141 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | April 26, 1972 |
Hope Lodge is a very old and important building in Fort Washington, Pennsylvania. It's known as one of the best examples of Georgian Colonial architecture in its area. This grand house was even used by American soldiers during the American Revolutionary War in 1777.
Contents
A Glimpse into Hope Lodge's Past
Hope Lodge was originally called "Whitemarsh Estate." It's a beautiful Georgian country mansion. A Quaker businessman named Samuel Morris built it between 1743 and 1748. The famous Philadelphia architect Edmund Woolley designed it.
Early Owners and a Funny Story
Samuel Morris owned Hope Lodge until he passed away in 1770. Then, his brother Joshua sold the property to William West. William was another merchant from Philadelphia. There's a funny story that Samuel built the house for his English fiancée. But she supposedly broke off their engagement after hearing a rude comment he made.
Hope Lodge During the Revolution
In the fall of 1777, George Washington and his Continental Army camped nearby. They stayed for six weeks during the Philadelphia Campaign. During this time, Hope Lodge became a hospital for the soldiers. George Washington's main surgeon, John Cochran, used it. Major General Nathanael Greene also stayed there.
New Owners and a Close Call
After William West died in 1784, a banker from England named Henry Hope bought the house. He gave it as a wedding gift to his ward, James Watmough. The Watmough family owned it until 1832. Then, they sold it to their tenant farmer, Jacob Wentz. The Wentz family lived there for 90 years!
In 1921, a company bought Hope Lodge. They planned to tear it down to expand a nearby limestone quarry. But William and Alice Degn saved the house! They bought it in 1922. In 1957, the state of Pennsylvania took ownership of Hope Lodge.
Hope Lodge is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's a very important historical site in the U.S.
Hope Lodge Today: A Living Museum
Today, Hope Lodge is a museum and historic site. The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission used to run it. However, due to budget cuts, a non-profit group now manages it. This group is called the Friends of Hope Lodge. They keep the site open for everyone to enjoy.
Events and Tours
The Friends of Hope Lodge host many fun community events. They have concerts by the Ambler Symphony. They also put on an annual reenactment of the 1777 Battle of Whitemarsh. This event brings history to life! You can take tours inside the building from April through October.
Who Owned Hope Lodge?
Here is a list of the main owners of Hope Lodge throughout its history:
- 1743 to 1770: Samuel Morris
- 1770 to 1776: Joshua Morris
- 1776 to 1784: William and Mary West
- 1784 to 1832: Watmough Family
- 1832 to 1921: Wentz Family
- 1921 to 1922: Keasbey and Mattison Company
- 1922 to 1957: William and Alice Degn
- 1957 to Present: Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
See also
