Mill Grove facts for kids
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Mill Grove
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Mill Grove
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 Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Location | Pawlings Rd., Audubon, Pennsylvania |
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| Area | 130 acres (53 ha) |
| Built | 1762 |
| Architect | James Morgan |
| NRHP reference No. | 72001138 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | March 16, 1972 |
| Designated NHL | May 5, 1989 |
Mill Grove is a historic house and a large piece of land in Audubon, Pennsylvania. It was built a long time ago, in the 1760s. This place is special because it was the first home in America for a famous artist and nature expert named John James Audubon. The town of Audubon is even named after him!
Today, Mill Grove is a museum and a place where wild animals are protected. It covers about 130 acres (53 hectares). Montgomery County takes care of it. In 1989, it was named a National Historic Landmark. This means it's a very important historical site in the United States. The house is also the main learning center for the Pennsylvania part of the National Audubon Society. It is known as the John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove.
Contents
Mill Grove: A Historic Home and Nature Spot
Mill Grove is located on the west side of Audubon village. It's just north of Valley Forge National Historical Park. The property has over 130 acres (53 hectares) of mostly woods. It sits on the south side of Perkiomen Creek. Pawlings Road forms its southern border.
The main house is a two-and-a-half-story building made of stone. It faces the creek, offering great views. The roof has three wooden dormer windows on each side. There are also stone chimneys inside at each end of the house. A smaller, one-story part extends from the main building. A porch with a gabled roof covers the main entrance.
The Story of Mill Grove and John James Audubon
The house was built around 1762 by a man named James Morgan. He also ran a mill and a lead mine on the property. Around 1764 or 1765, he added a new part to the house. This was probably for guests and a bigger kitchen.
During the American Revolutionary War, the property was robbed because it was close to Valley Forge. However, the house itself was not badly damaged. In 1789, a French sea captain named Jean Audubon bought the property.
In 1803, Jean Audubon sent his 18-year-old son, also named Jean, to Mill Grove. The son soon changed his name to John James Audubon. His father wanted him to manage the lead mine. But John James loved the natural beauty of the area much more.
Instead of working in the mine, young Audubon spent two years exploring. He taught himself how to track birds by putting bands on them. He also learned how to prepare birds so he could draw them accurately. While here, he also met and got engaged to Lucy Bakewell. He returned to Mill Grove in 1808 to marry her.
John James Audubon sold the property after his wedding. Another Frenchman had looked after it while Audubon was away. In 1813, Samuel Wetherill bought Mill Grove. His family owned it until 1951. Then, his family gave the property to the county. Since then, the county has managed it as a place to protect wildlife and learn about nature.
Exploring Mill Grove Today
Today, the Mill Grove estate is even larger, covering about 175 acres (71 hectares). It has more than five miles (8 kilometers) of walking trails. The house itself is now a museum. You can see original prints by Audubon there. It also displays all of his major oil paintings and other items that belonged to him.
See also
