THE HANS HERR HOUSE
This house is the oldest standing house in Lancaster County. A beautiful example of Germanic architecture which I first saw in 1987. They have added other building to the museum site since that time and although I didn't take time to go through them this trip I do remember many of the details of the original homestead. I have included a bit of the history and the link to check it out if you would like to take the time to do so.
"Herr House History THE HANS HERR WEBSITE
The “Hans Herr House" is the oldest extant dwelling of a settlement on ten thousand acres granted in October of 1710 to nine Mennonite men.
The “Hans Herr House" is the oldest extant dwelling of a settlement on ten thousand acres granted in October of 1710 to nine Mennonite men.
In the Spring of 1711, seven of those men came with their families to establish homes in what was then the westernmost edge of Pennsylvania. Their route to the area followed an ancient Native path called the “Great Conestoga Road”, which passed within yards of the site on which, eight years later, the 1719 House would be built.
The 1719 House, or "Hans Herr House" as it is known locally, is reputed to have been the home of Hans Herr and his wife Elizabeth. It was certainly the home of Christian Herr and his wife Anna, and several of Christian and Anna’s children. Both Hans Herr and Christian Herr were bishops of the Mennonite faith.
The Hans Herr House was home to several generations of Hans Herr’s family until the 1860s, after which it was used as a barn and storage shed. It was restored to colonial-era appearance in the early 1970s. It is now part of a Museum complex which includes three Pennsylvania German farmhouses, several barns and other outbuildings, and an extensive collection of farm equipment spanning three centuries. The 1719 House is perhaps the most frequently pictured building in Lancaster County. The artist Andrew Wyeth, himself a relative of Hans Herr, created a well-known image of the house before its restoration."
The Hans Herr House was home to several generations of Hans Herr’s family until the 1860s, after which it was used as a barn and storage shed. It was restored to colonial-era appearance in the early 1970s. It is now part of a Museum complex which includes three Pennsylvania German farmhouses, several barns and other outbuildings, and an extensive collection of farm equipment spanning three centuries. The 1719 House is perhaps the most frequently pictured building in Lancaster County. The artist Andrew Wyeth, himself a relative of Hans Herr, created a well-known image of the house before its restoration."
When I first went to the house it was not surrounded by tall trees but then it was 24 years ago.
The stairs inside the house.
Courtesy of Hans Herr House Preservation Society.
As you can tell I love old buildings and enjoy seeing what materials were used and how they were used when our country first started. I am looking forward to see much of the colonial era when I visit Williamsburg this weekend. I have been there before as well, but was keeping track of children so was not able to digest much of the history. Duncan will have to be resigned to spend the days at the camper and even though he will think it cruel and unusual punishment he will survive.
I am off to give the camper a much needed bath and see if I can get the canopy clean again.
Until next time....
An interesting place revisited. My RV can use a bath too if you have any energy left!
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