Pennsbury Manor Photo by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission

When you think of historical sites in southeastern Pennsylvania, places like Independence Hall, the Betsy Ross House, and the Liberty Bell come to mind. But there are historical locations outside Philadelphia that are undoubtedly worth visiting. Here are three of my favorites.

Pennsbury Manor

Pennsbury Manor is the 1683 country home of William Penn. Situated along the Delaware River, his 43-acre estate was built to give Penn the quiet country life he desired for his family. After converting to the Quaker faith, he was ostracized and imprisoned for blasphemy while in England. Because of his father’s heroism and favor with King Charles II, Penn approached the king about setting up a colony in America where settlers had religious freedom. Because of the substantial debt owed to his father, Penn was granted a substantial amount of land in 1681, making him the sole owner of the largest colony in America. It was called Pennsylvania, meaning “Penn’s Woods.”

Photo by the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission

Though he only spent four years in Pennsylvania, his impact is still felt today. Before leaving for England in 1701, Penn wrote the Charter of Privileges, which set up a new government for the colony. The Charter promoted ideas such as a representative government and the elimination of nobility; it emphasized the separation of Church and state and gave much of the power to the people of Pennsylvania. The drafters of our Constitution used the same structure of government that Penn created.

Today, guests experience life as it was 300 years ago at the recreated 17th-century estate. Besides special events and workshops held throughout the year, guided tours are available Wednesday through Saturday and last approximately 90 minutes. The tour includes entrance to the exhibit, “William Penn: Seed of a Nation,” an orientation video, and a tour of the grounds.

Plan your visit:
Pennsbury Manor
400 Pennsbury Memorial Rd., Morrisville, PA 19067
215-946-0400
pennsburymanor.org

Hours of operation:
Closed Mondays
Tues. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Grounds access only. No access to buildings, including restrooms.
Wed. – Sat. 10 a.m. t- 5 p.m. Tours at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Sun. noon to 5 p.m. Tours at 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
The site is closed in January and February and major holidays.

Admission:
Adults (12-64), $9; Seniors (65+), $7; Children (3-11), $5; grounds pass, $3
Children under three and active-duty military and immediate family, free.

Photo by John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove

John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove

Whether you are a bird watcher, a lover of nature, or have an appreciation for fine art, visiting the home of John James Audubon (1785-1851) should be on your bucket list. Audubon’s “Birds of America,” printed between 1827 and 1838, was the culmination of his life’s goal of painting every bird in North America. He filled his book with 435 life-sized watercolors of North American birds.

Great Blue Heron photo courtesy of the National Audubon Society

Today, you can visit Audubon’s Pennsylvania home in Montgomery County. On the docent-led tours of the stone farmhouse, you will see artifacts and some of Audubon’s original paintings.

The museum at the John James Audubon Center is a spectacular experience for visitors of all ages. In the “Drawn from Nature Gallery,” guests will see the process of Audubon’s work, from his explorations in nature to the final product, “Birds of America.” The interactive exhibit, “WOW Birds!” invites visitors to get banded and find out what type of bird you are. Stations in the gallery will teach about your habitat, nest, and more. The Sound Forest allows visitors to listen to bird songs in different habitats. The gallery’s light-up flyway map teaches guests about various birds’ migration patterns.

Younger museumgoers enjoy the Fledgling Trail, where they can build their own nest and learn about birds from egg to flight. The trail also includes a sensory garden, a playground zipline, and the Discovery Tree Climb, where children can slide out of the nest and learn how to find food.

The 200-acre Mill Grove Estate includes five miles of marked nature trails along Perkiomen Creek, which is open from dawn to dusk for anyone to enjoy. Don’t forget your binoculars. More than 175 species of birds visit the property regularly. You’ll find trail maps at the front desk of the center. Dogs are not permitted.

Plan your visit:
John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove
1201 Pawlings Road, Audubon, PA 19403
610-666-5593
johnjames.audubon.org

Hours of Operation:
Wed. – Sun. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Center is closed Mon. and Tues., and major holidays. Trails are open year-round.

Admission:
Adults, $14; seniors (65+), $12; youth (ages 6-17), $10.
Children 5 and under, and military, free.
FREE admission Sunday mornings 10 a.m.-noon

Hopewell Forge Ironmaster Mansion photo by Lee Snider

Hopewell Forge National Historic Site

Hopewell Forge is one of several historic sites in Pennsylvania run by the National Park Service. The site is an excellent example of the beginnings of American industrialization. Hopewell Furnace was an active iron plantation from 1771 to 1883. Cast iron stoves, pig iron, and other iron products were manufactured at Hopewell. Because of its rural location, the plantation had to be nearly self-sufficient. The buildings on the property’s 848 acres tell the history of life on an iron plantation. Today visitors will see the Ironmaster’s mansion, the blacksmith shop, tenant buildings, the company store, the charcoal house, and most importantly, the cast house where the molten iron was poured into molds.

The grounds at Hopewell Forge National Historic Site

Plan your visit:
Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site

2 Mark Bird Lane, Elverson, PA 19520
www.nps.gov/hofu

Hours of Operation:
May 28 – Oct. 15., open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Oct 16-May 26, 2024, open Wed. – Sun., 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Hopewell Furnace is closed on major holidays. 

Admission:
Free