King of Prussia Inn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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King of Prussia Inn
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King of Prussia Inn in February 2017
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 Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Location | 101 Bill Smith Blvd, King of Prussia, Pennsylvania |
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| Built | 1719 |
| Architect | William Rees (builder) |
| NRHP reference No. | 75001656 |
| Added to NRHP | December 23, 1975 |
The King of Prussia Inn is a very old and important building in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, United States. It was once a popular place for travelers to stop and rest. Today, it is recognized as a historic landmark. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975 because of its special history.
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A Look Back: The Inn's History
The King of Prussia Inn started as a small house in 1719. It was built by William and Janet Rees, who were Welsh Quakers. Quakers are a religious group known for their simple lifestyle. The Rees family also founded a nearby town called Reesville.
In 1769, their house became an inn. An inn is like a small hotel or guesthouse where travelers can stay. This inn was very important during colonial times. It was about a day's horse ride from Philadelphia. Many settlers traveling to Ohio would spend their first night here.
In 1774, James Barry took over running the inn. People then started calling it "Berry's Tavern." A tavern is a place where people can eat, drink, and socialize.
George Washington's Visits
General George Washington visited the tavern on Thanksgiving Day in 1777. This was while his army, the Continental Army, was camped nearby. A few weeks later, Washington and his soldiers stayed at Valley Forge. This famous site is not far from the inn.
How the Inn Got Its Name
In 1777, a map showed the inn as "Berry's." But by 1786, it was known as the "King of Prussia." It might have been renamed to welcome German soldiers who fought in the American Revolution. The inn once had a wooden sign showing King Frederick the Great of Prussia.
The King of Prussia Inn was officially listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places on December 23, 1975. This means it is a special place worth protecting.
Moving the Historic Inn
The inn had to be moved because of a big road project. U.S. Route 202 is a major highway that goes through the town. Building this modern highway would have destroyed the King of Prussia Inn.
However, people who cared about history worked hard to save it. They convinced the state of Pennsylvania to build the highway lanes around the inn. This way, the inn would not be torn down.
The state bought the land where the inn stood in 1952. For over 50 years, the inn was stuck on a small island. Cars and trucks zoomed past it on all sides. It was closed up and surrounded by a tall fence.
Finally, on August 20, 2000, the inn was successfully moved. It was a huge project! The inn then opened to the public in October 2002. Today, the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce uses the building.
