The Great Valley House of Valley Forge

"Did George Washington sleep here?" is a question often asked by visitors to The Great Valley House of Valley Forge Bed and Breakfast. Older than the house George Washington stayed at during the Valley Forge encampment, this 300 year old stone farmhouse is a five minute drive to Valley Forge National Park. The house retains original fireplaces and random-width wood floors. Note the hand forged iron hinges and other historical features which your hostess, Pattye Benson, will be happy to describe. One unique item is an old stone sink, said to be one of only two such pre-1700 sinks in the country. As you enjoy breakfast there may be, depending on the weather, a fire in the old kitchen walk-in fireplace. The fireplace still has its original swing crane and carved in the massive mantle you can see the initials W.T. 1812.

The three guest rooms, all with private baths, decorated with antiques, and accented with hand made quilts. The Peaches and Cream Room exudes a Victorian flavor with a queen canopy bed and a twin day bed. This room features a bath with an antique footed bath tub. The Rose and Grey Room contains a ceiling canopied queen bed and a twin bed. This room contains a charming en-suite bath with shower and a unique sink constructed from an antique Singer sewing machine. The Cranberry Room has an antique brass double bed, a sitting area with a queen sofa bed, and bath with shower. All rooms are air conditioned and include cable TV, DVD Player, radio and free in room high speed Internet, wireless or cable connections. Also supplied for convenience is a guest refrigerator and microwave. A full gourmet breakfast is served in the pre-revolutionary kitchen in front of a 12-foot wide walk-in fireplace.

The surrounding four acres are a mixture of history and modern amenities. The Stone Smoke House, the cold storage keep and the ancient trees are offset by the large swimming pool.

Features:

Colonial atmosphere
Large  rooms
Free High Speed Internet
Country setting
Swimming pool
Near Valley Forge Park
Historic Philadelphia
Close to shopping
Full gourmet breakfasts

Just a short driving distance from Philadelphia, Lancaster, King of Prussia and Brandywine Valley, The Great Valley House has been featured in the Philadelphia Inquirer and the Washington Post. Selected 1994 Devon House Tour participant. Featured on the cable TV Travel Channel in their series, "The History Traveler" as part of a show on George Washington's travels. Most recently selected by Dateline NBC as a production location for one of their programs. - Your Innkeeper & Owner is Pattye Benson

A full gourmet breakfast is served in the pre - revolutionary old kitchen.

The menu is chef's choice of the day but please let your hostess know of any dietary restrictions. The table is in front of a 12-foot wide walk-in fireplace. One unique item is an old stone sink, said to be one of only two such pre-1700 sinks in the country. As you enjoy breakfast there may be, depending on the weather, a fire in the fireplace. The fireplace still has its original swing crane and carved in the 300 year old mantel you can see the initials W.T. 1812.

The Grounds of The Great Valley House

The Great Valley House was built three hundred years ago into bed rock near the banks of the Little Valley Creek, which flows into Valley Forge. It rests on four landscaped acres that are surrounded on all sides by scores of additional acres of open fields providing a lovely country setting. If you wish to relax outside the house there are two patios and a front porch, but most people prefer to lounge at the swimming pool.

Historic Philadelphia

Historic Valley Forge National Park presented by The Valley Forge Historical Society. Provides information on the museum, the history, who served there and George Washington. If you follow the museum link from their home page, you can find a recommendation for the The Great Valley House from some nice people that have stayed here.

Ask the Curator at Valley Forge  Read scores of previously answered questions -- or ask your own question about Valley Forge!. Compliments of the Curator, Valley Forge Historical Society.

The Valley Forge Convention & Visitors Bureau is a great resource for information on our area. Topics include What's New? What's to do? Calendar of Events! How to get to Valley Forge? Where to get more information?

The Liberty Net's Historic Philadelphia is a fountain of information on Philadelphia with both historic and contemporary things to do and see. See The Betsy Rose and the Historic Mile pages. There are also links to Liberty Net's Valley Forge pages.

Brandywine Battlefield Park The Brandywine Battlefield Park brings to life the largest engagement of the Revolutionary War, fought on September 11, 1777, between the Continental Army led by General George Washington and the British forces headed by General William Howe.

Chester County Historical Society Explore 300 years of Chester County history. Discover the intrigue of America's past through the unique lens of local history.

Chester County. An index of web sites related to Chester County which is the home of all the title deeds referred to on our history page. This web site has a number of very helpful links to places of interest in our area.

Weather Underground the current local weather forecast. 

The Philadelphia Inquirer, our local newspaper.

Cultural Activities

Longwood Gardens The world's premier horticultural display garden. Longwood offers 1,050 acres of gardens, woodlands, and meadows; 20 outdoor gardens; 20 indoor gardens within 4 acres of heated greenhouses; 11,000 different types of plants and spectacular fountains.
Kennett Square, PA - 610-388-1000

Winterthur Museum World's premier collection of American decorative arts 1640-1860, showcased in Period Rooms and exhibition Galleries, Garden & tram.

Historic Brandywine Valley Come explore the historic Brandywine Valley. Discover our natural beauty, our history, our art, antiques, mansions and gardens and our unique brand of country casual hospitality. The Brandywine is nestled amidst the rolling hills of southern Chester County, PA, where the Battle of Brandywine was fought, and northern New Castle County, DE where the paper was milled for the Declaration of Independence and America's first currency.

Brandywine Museum Three galleries in the old mill building boast original structural beams, white plaster walls, and pine floors. The fourth, the Andrew Wyeth gallery, features flexible wall partitions and a unique skylight system. All galleries open from a circular, brick-floored core - a symbolic silo for the old mill - with dramatic walls of glass, providing spectacular views of the Brandywine River and the rural landscape that inspired many of the artists represented in the museum's carefully focused collections.

Philadelphia Museum of Art. Current exhibits, hours, admission, phone numbers and directions.

Mummers Museum Exhibits relating to the Philadelphia New Years Parade. The marathon parade is made up of four major divisions starting early in the morning on New Year's Day (weather permitting) and continues until late in the evening. Thousands participate as well as view the parade and the City of Philadelphia judges the performers and issues prizes.

University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology One of top ten science museums. The University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, through its research, collections, and dissemination of knowledge, advances understanding of the world's cultural heritage.

Historic Bartram's Garden America's oldest living botanical garden, a pastoral 18th century homestead surrounded by the urban bustle of Philadelphia.

Bike Trail between Philadelphia and Valley Forge

Shopping

The King of Prussia Mall. Welcome to what is now the world's most complete,the world's most enticing, the world's most exquisite shopping experience. The Plaza & The Court at King of Prussia.

Franklin MillsThe official landmark of the discount shopper.

VF Factory Outlet/VF Designers Outlet  First quality trusted name brand clothing in Reading, PA.

Skippack Village  18th century street village houses, 50 shops and restaurants in Skippack, PA.

Entertainment

The United States Hot Air Balloon Team  Welcome To The Official Site of the US Hot Air Balloon Team. As a hot air balloon company unlike any other in the world, we customize balloon flights and tours in southeastern Pennsylvania, throughout the country and overseas. Couples and groups alike choose the details that make flights so memorable.

Air Ventures Hot Air Balloon Flights Inc.  Offering hot air balloning flights over beautiful chester county...flight certificates are available for sunrise or sunset. Enjoy a champagne toast and hors'oeuvres after viewing the earth from above.

Chaddsford Winery Between Longwood Gardens and Brandywine River Museum, Daily Tours, tasting and sales.

Trail Horse back riding at Sheeder Mill Farm Rides ½ hour and up, Trail Riding Lessons, Picnic Rides 1 ½ hour and up, 1 Day Travel Ride, Local Overnights (tent camping).

Philadelphia Zoo America's first zoo.

United Artists Movie Theaters - 593 West Lancaster Ave, Frazer, PA, 19355 - (610) 251-5207 also 300 Goddard Blvd, King of Prussia, PA, 19406 - (610) 290-1361

William Penn received the royal charter for Pennsylvania from Charles II, in 1681. William Penn granted land to John ap John, the chief disciple of Quakerism in Wales. This tract of land was part of the original Welsh Tract that covered most of what is known today as the Main Line of Philadelphia.

William Penn deeded to William Mordant, on 10/24/1681, a tract of 607 acres in Philadelphia, William Mordant later died leaving as heir Thomas Mordant.

During the period of time from 1681 to the 1700s there were many squatters and informal leases in the area. The original construction of the Great Valley House began prior to 1700 by undocumented tenants. This conclusion is based on the architectural feature of the stone sink built as part of the stone wall in the Old Kitchen. Sinks of this nature were typical of Welsh construction prior to the advent of the Dry Sink in the late 1600's

Thomas Mordant and Osmand Mordant by deed dated 1/28/1711 conveyed the land to John Evans. John Evans, by deed dated 3/5/1716 in Philadelphia, conveyed the property to John Moore.

John Evans was the Lieutenant Governor of Pa. and heavily involved in acquiring land during this period. John Moore was a whig and the Customs Collector. Evans had to return to Great Britain and transferred the land to Moore to sell for him. The Evans/Moore relationship was not strictly business as Evans married Moore's daughter in 1708.

John Moore by deed dated 7/7/1720 conveyed to Thomas James the tract of 607 acres. (deed was signed by Benjamin Franklin, Justice of the Peace, one of his earlier jobs)

Thomas James is the first person to take up legal residence in 1720. Thomas James lived a full life here and built most of the house, one stone at a time.

Thomas James by will dated 12/8/1750 provided as follows: "I give and bequeath unto Ann James, wife free and full use of this real estate during her natural life. And at her decease to Lewis James in fee." Ann James by deed dated 2/23/1753 conveyed unto John Kinkade tract of 322 acres.

John Kinkade's mortgage was foreclosed in 1760 in a suit brought by William Moore, Exr. of Robert Moore. The 322 acre property was sold to JOHN WILSON by Sheriffs Deed Poll dated 9/13/1760.

John Wilson was the owner during the Revolutionary War and he was a Tredyffrin resident who, we believe, was raised on the Wilson farm just east of here in what is now known as The Wilson Farm Park in Chesterbrook. John Wilson sub-divided his land, 30 acres going to Isaac Davis in 1760 (Chester County deed book F-2, Vol 30, pg 506), 112 acres of it going to his son David Wilson in 1779 (deed book Z, Vol 24, pg 287). A portion of the David Wilson tract of land, with the original house he built, had remained with Wilson family descendants until the death of Martha Wilson in 1997. The David Wilson house is no longer owned by Wilson's but has being restored and expanded.
This web page is dedicated to the memory of
Martha Wilson
who passed away August 8, 1997 at the age of 80

Another 190 acres with the John Wilson house, AKA The Great Valley House, was sold to Fredrick Houseman in 1785 (deed book A-2, Vol 25, pg 178).

John Wilson and Judith, by deed dated 6/30/1785 conveyed to Fredrick Houseman messauge (dwelling house) and plantation in Tredyffrin

A date stone in the west peak of the house is inscribed "Fredrick Houseman 1791". The west part of the house was added by Fredrick Houseman and the addition, the "modern" part of the house, was completed in the year 1791.

Fredrick Houseman died 3/12/1800. All heirs filed that George Beaver son-in-law of decedent may accept same at $3664. George Beaver and Susanna, by deed dated 3-13-1801, conveyed unto John Zook and Christian Zook, messuage and tract in Tredyffrin, containing 190 acres. Christian Zook and Magdalena, by deed dated 1-11-1802, conveyed unto John Zook aforesaid tract. John Zook and Elizabeth, by deed dated 11-26-1811, conveyed unto William Thomas two tracts of land in Tredyffrin.

WILLIAM THOMAS left his mark, his initials with the date 1812 is carved on the mantle over the old colonial fire place. William Thomas died 1829 and left the property to Joseph Thomas who sold it with 93 acres for $8,111.

Many owners had the pleasure of this house from 1833 until we bought it in 1982. The acreage is now down to 4 acres and the purchase price was considerably more than the $8,111 that was paid in 1833.

We hope you can come and share our house with us.