Espy House

The David Espy House is a historic house at 123 East Pitt Street in Bedford, Pennsylvania. Built in 1770, it is significant as the residence used by President George Washington when he was leading the troops that put down the Whiskey Rebellion in 1794. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1983.[2][4] The house is now used for commercial purposes.

Espy House
Espy House is located in Pennsylvania
Espy House
Espy House is located in the United States
Espy House
Location123 E. Pitt St., Bedford, Pennsylvania
Coordinates40°1′9″N 78°30′11″W
Built1770 (1770)
NRHP reference No.74001750[1]
Significant dates
Added to NRHPNovember 19, 1974[1]
Designated NHLJuly 28, 1983[2]
Designated PHMCJune 25, 1951[3]

Description and history

The David Espy House is located in downtown Bedford, on the north side of East Pitt Street between North Juliana and North Richard Streets. It is a masonry structure 2+1⁄2 stories in height, with a gabled roof. The front facade is finished in roughly finished rectangular blocks laid in courses, while the sides have a mortared rubble finish. The front facade is three bays in width, with the traditional entrance (now serving the upstairs) in the leftmost bay. The right two bays on the ground floor have been united into a commercial picture window and recessed entry. A wood-frame ell extends to the rear of the stone front section. The ground floor has been adapted for commercial use; the upstairs is residential.[4]

The house was built in 1770–71 for David Espy, a local militia officer and prothonotary (court clerk). He was also a Freemason and served as Junior Warden when Bedford Lodge No. 48 A.Y.M. was warranted in 1790.[5] In 1794, his stone house was probably the finest in the town, and was where President George Washington stayed while leading troops in the suppression of the Whiskey Rebellion.[4] Bedford was as far as Washington traveled with the troops; he turned their command over to Henry "Lighthorse Harry" Lee and returned to Washington, DC.

See also

References
  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  2. "David Espy House". National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved February 8, 2008.
  3. "PHMC Historical Markers". Historical Marker Database. Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission. Archived from the original on December 7, 2013. Retrieved December 10, 2013.
  4. Charles W. Snell and James W. Sheire (1982). National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: Espy House / Espy House (General Arthur St. Clair Office) (pdf). National Park Service. and Accompanying 3 photos, exterior, from 1972 and 1974. (32 KB)
  5. "Old Masonic lodges of Pennsylvania, "moderns" and "ancients" 1730-1800, which have surrendered their warrants or affiliated with other Grand Lodges, compiled from original records in the archives of the R. W. Grand Lodge, R. & A.M. of Pennsylvania, under the direction of the Committee on Library". Old Masonic Lodges of PA - The Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Pennsylvania.
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