Lawrence Cabin facts for kids
The Lawrence Cabin is a very old log cabin (a house made of logs) in Havertown, Pennsylvania. It sits in Powder Mill Valley Park, right by Cobbs Creek. This historic cabin is also close to another old building called Nitre Hall.
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The Story of Lawrence Cabin
Who Built the Cabin?
The Lawrence Cabin was built by Henry Lawrence and his family. They built it around the year 1710. The land for the cabin was bought from William Penn in 1709. William Penn was the founder of Pennsylvania. The cabin was designed like the log homes built by Swedish settlers who lived in the area.
How the Cabin Grew Over Time
This small log house was typical of the first homes built by early settlers. One of these settlers was David Lawrence, Henry's father. David Lawrence came to America from Wales in 1684 with his wife, Elinor Ellis. He received some land from his father-in-law. Later, his son Henry Lawrence bought about 209 acres (0.85 square kilometers) of land in 1709.
Around 1730, a larger stone part was added to the log house. It had two and a half stories. Later, a summer kitchen made of clapboard (wooden boards) was also added. Because different parts were added over time, and it stayed in the same family for so long, it became known as the "Three Generation House." The Lawrence family owned the cabin until 1942.
Inside Henry Lawrence's original log cabin, there is a large fireplace. A ladder leads up to a sleeping area called a loft.
Moving the Cabin to a New Home
The Lawrence Cabin was originally located near Darby Creek. In 1961, it was in danger of being destroyed. So, the Haverford Township Park Commission decided to move it. They carefully took it apart and rebuilt it at Karakung Drive in Powder Mill Valley. The cabin was officially opened again on October 7, 1961.
Throughout the 1960s, many tours and events were held. These events helped raise money to fix up and restore the building. In 1966, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission gave the cabin a colonial wool-spinning wheel. This gift came from the Landis Valley Museum.
Lawrence Cabin Today
Learning About Colonial Life
Today, the Lawrence Cabin is used for special learning experiences. The Haverford Township Historical Society offers a "Colonial Living Experience" for elementary school students. Students can visit the cabin and Nitre Hall to see what life was like before 1750. The cabin is furnished with items from that time period.
Visiting the Cabin
Both the Lawrence Cabin and Nitre Hall are open for people to visit. You can see them during the Haverford Heritage Festival. This festival started in 1965. At the festival, local sellers offer food and small gifts. It's a great way to learn about history and have fun!
