The Highlands (Whitemarsh, Pennsylvania) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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The Highlands
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 Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Location | 7001 Sheaff Lane, Whitemarsh Township, Pennsylvania |
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| Area | 44 acres (180,000 m2) |
| Built | 1794 |
| Architect | Col. Timothy Matlack |
| Architectural style | Georgian |
| NRHP reference No. | 76001653 |
| Added to NRHP | December 12, 1976 |
The Highlands is a really old and special house located near Fort Washington, in Whitemarsh Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, USA. It's a historic place with beautiful gardens. Today, it's a museum where you can learn about the past.
Contents
History of The Highlands
Building a Grand Home
The Highlands was built a long time ago, between 1794 and 1796. A wealthy merchant and politician named Anthony Morris (1766-1860) had it built. The design for this impressive house came from another politician, Timothy Matlack (1730-1829).
The house is quite large, with two and a half stories. It's made from strong, cut stone and is built in the late Georgian style. This style was popular for grand homes back then. The front of the house has two tall, decorative columns called pilasters.
Anthony Morris was an important person in Pennsylvania. He was the speaker of the state senate. He even signed a bill to send soldiers to stop something called the Whiskey Rebellion. This was a time when some people protested a tax on whiskey. Morris also helped run a bank and was involved with the University of Pennsylvania. He even worked for President James Madison for a few years, helping with relations with Spain.
Changing Hands Over Time
Over the years, The Highlands had several different owners. In 1808, Anthony Morris sold the property to Daniel Hittner. Hittner added more land to the estate, making it much bigger.
In 1813, a wine merchant named George Sheaff bought the estate. His family owned The Highlands for a very long time, over 100 years! After George Sheaff passed away, most of the land was sold off. Only a smaller part of the estate stayed with his grandson, John.
Later, in 1917, Miss Caroline Sinkler bought the house. Then, in 1941, her niece, Emily Sinkler Roosevelt, became the owner. Emily Roosevelt and her husband decided to give The Highlands to the state of Pennsylvania in 1957.
The Highlands Today
Today, The Highlands covers about 44 acres of land. It still has its beautiful 18th-century Georgian mansion and lovely formal gardens. A group called the Highlands Historical Society takes care of it. They run it as a museum and a historic site.
You can visit The Highlands to learn about its history. It's also a popular place for events like weddings and parties.
Fun Events at The Highlands
The Highlands Historical Society hosts many fun events throughout the year. These events help raise money to keep the property beautiful.
One popular event is the annual Highlands Craft Show. It started in 1982 to help restore the two-acre formal garden. At the craft show, talented artists from all over the United States come to sell their unique handmade items. You can find things like fabric art, pottery, handbags, and handmade jewelry.
Other exciting events include a pumpkin and jack-o'-lantern display around Halloween. There's also the Highlands Hunt Breakfast in early November. This event features a pretend fox hunt with hounds and horseback riders. They ride through nearby areas and then return to the mansion for breakfast with friends and family.
Gallery
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A pretty alley in the garden
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A statue of a faun in the garden
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An armillary sphere in the garden, which shows how celestial objects move
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The barn seen from the southeast
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The barn seen from the northwest
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The springhouse, a building over a natural spring
Owners of The Highlands
- 1796 to 1808: Anthony Morris
- 1808 to 1813: Daniel Hittner
- 1813 to 1917: George Sheaff and his family
- 1917 to 1941: Miss Caroline Sinkler
- 1941 to 1957: Emily Sinkler Roosevelt and her husband Nicholas
- 1957 to 2021: Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (the state government)
- 2021 to present: Whitemarsh Township, PA
