Barns-Brinton House

Barns-Brinton House. Chadds Ford Historical Society. In the early 1700s, blacksmith William Barns foresaw the need for a tavern on "ye Great Road to Nottingham,” a major highway between Philadelphia and Maryland. In 1714, he built a structure with distinctive Flenish bond brickwork and a diamond-patterned gable which served as his home and later a tavern. There was a private side for the Barns family and a barroom with sleeping quarters above for weary travelers. Barns requested a license for the tavern in 1722 and operated it for "yea accommodation of Man and Horse” until at least 1726. In 1728, when the tavern was in financial difficulty, the license was "not allowed.” When he died in 1731 he was in debt to 78 neighbors., In 1753, the house and farmland were purchased by James Brinton, grandson of William Brinton, one of the earliest settlers in the area. He was the owner in 1777 during the Battle of the Brandywine. Barclay Rubincam depicted this event in his 1976 painting. In 1938, the main road was moved from the south side of the building to its present location on the north. The Chadds Ford Historical Society purchased the building in 1969, then abandoned and in serious disrepair. After extensive work under the supervision of restoration architect John Milner, the building opened as a house museum in the 1970s., Images from inside the Barns-Brinton House, Hessians Marching Past the Barns-Brinton House by Barclay Rubincam - 1976, Barns-Brinton House (c. 1900), Barns-Brinton House (c. 1920), For over 50 years, the Chadds Ford Historical Society has been preserving history. We invite you to visit our Barn Visitors Center to learn more about the Chadds Ford area. , Chadds Ford Historical Society , PO Box 27, 1736 N. Creek Rd , Chadds Ford, PA 19317 , Phone: 610-388-7376 , [email protected] , www.chaddsfordhistory.org, (start 2nd plaque) , Chadds Ford Historical Society , Preserving History -- Serving the Community -- Providing Education . , (begin left column -- Preserving History) , In the early 1700s, John Chads ran a ferry service across the Brandywine. The area became known as Chads' ford. On Sept. 11, 1777, the largest land battle of the American Revolution was fought here., When the dilapidated Chads home and springhouse came up for sale in 1968, concerned residents formed the Chadds Ford Historical Society, raised money and purchased the property. The next year, they bought the abandoned Barns-Brinton House. Working together with John Milner Architects, these structures were restored to their original 18th Century appearance. All three houses are open for tours and living history programs on colonial life., Before and After Restoration , John Chads House (c. 1725) , Springhouse (c. 1725) , Barns-Brinton House (c. 1714), (begin center column -- Serving the Community) , Valley Jamboree , Chadds Ford Days , The Great Pumpkin Carve , Candlelight Christmas and Tavern Nights , Throughout the year, the Society hosts a variety of events. We invite everyone to come and celebrate our heritage!, (begin right column -- Providing Education) , Our dedicated staff and volunteers provide a broad range of educational programs for both youth and adults. , . School Programs . Lecture Series , . Summer Camps . Tavern Nights , . Group Tours . Exhibits, For over 50 years, the Chadds Ford Historical Society has been preserving history. We invite you to visit our Barn Visitors Center to learn more about the Chadds Ford area. , Chadds Ford Historical Society , PO Box 27, 1736 N. Creek Rd , Chadds Ford, PA 19317 , Phone: 610-388-7376 , [email protected] , www.chaddsfordhistory.org.