Nantmeal Village Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Nantmeal Village Historic District
|
|
United Methodist Church on Nantmeal Road near Fairview Road
|
|
 Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Vicinity of Nantmeal, Fairview, Coventryville, and Horseshoe Trail Roads, East Nantmeal Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania |
|---|---|
| Area | 740 acres (300 ha) |
| Built | c. 1735-1934 |
| Architect | Multiple |
| Architectural style | Colonial, Federal, Greek Revival, Late Victorian |
| NRHP reference No. | 14000466 |
| Added to NRHP | August 1, 2014 |
The Nantmeal Village Historic District is a special area in East Nantmeal Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania. It's like a preserved old village and the land around it. This district covers about 740 acres, which is like 740 football fields! It includes 69 important old buildings and 9 other interesting spots, all owned by private people. These buildings were built between 1735 and 1934. Because it's so special, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2014.
| Top - 0-9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z |
What is Nantmeal Village?
Nantmeal Village is a quiet, rural area. It includes the village itself and the farms and woods around it. You can find it near Nantmeal, Fairview, Coventryville, and Horseshoe Trail Roads. The whole area stretches less than a mile in any direction from the village center.
In 2014, the entire East Nantmeal Township had only about 1,800 people living there. This makes it one of the least populated places in Chester County, even though the county is growing fast. The historic district still feels very rural because most of its buildings are old and important.
A Glimpse into the Past
European settlers first came to this area around 1735. That's when David Stephens built the oldest house in the district, the Abraham Prizer House. You can still see its original log section today!
The district has many different kinds of old places. You can find homes, shops, farms, and cultural sites. There was a smithy (where a blacksmith worked) and a cabinetry shop from 1760. An old general store from 1820 and a former schoolhouse from 1861 are also part of the history.
Important Buildings and Styles
The district also had a Quaker meetinghouse, which was torn down around 1885, but its cemetery is still there. You'll see dozens of old homes, barns, springhouses, and other structures. Some stone ruins also tell stories of the past.
The most noticeable building is the Nantmeal United Methodist Church. It was built in 1852 and updated in 1902. Its style is called Gothic Revival, which looks a bit like old castles or cathedrals.
The buildings in the district show many different architectural styles. These include Colonial, Federal, Greek Revival, and Victorian. There are also a few Italianate buildings, like the old parsonage (the minister's house).
The Old Post Office
Nantmeal Village even had its own post office! It opened in 1876 and helped people send and receive mail for many years. The post office stayed open until 1918.
