Van Leer Cabin

Van Leer Cabin, is a historic cabin and one of the last historical dwellings in Tredyffrin Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania.[2] It still stands on the grounds of Conestoga High School.

Van Leer Cabin
Van Leer Cabin is located in Pennsylvania
Van Leer Cabin
Van Leer Cabin is located in the United States
Van Leer Cabin
LocationTredyffrin Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania
Coordinates40°03′48″N 75°22′14″W
Area6.8 acres (2.8 ha)
Builtc. 1759
ArchitectVan Leer Family
Architectural styleGerman Log Cabin
NRHP reference No.83002227[1]

History

The original structure belonged to several homes owned by the Van Leer family who immigrated from Prussia in 1759.[3] Dr. Bernardhus Van Leer a well known doctor bought 109 acres at the location of the Cabin the same year. Dr. Bernardhus Van Leer is considered notable for traveling on horseback until the age of 102,[4] and being one of the first medical doctors in New York.[5] Dr. Van Leer's son Captain Samuel Van Leer and family would later play an important role in American history as a revolutionary war soldier. Van Leers were noted in the anti-slavery cause and built nearby free negro communities for newly freed slaves.[6][7] Van Leer's also financially supported the Underground Railroad.[8] This Cabin is listed as an underground railroad site.[9]

In the mid-1960s students and volunteers helped restore the cabin, located on Conestoga High School.[10] The Cabin is also utilized as part of an American History Course.[11][12]

Architecture

In the Pennsylvania colony, log cabins play a significant part of architectural history.[13] The Van Leer Cabin appears to follow the German type, where logs are set tightly together and even at the corners.

See also

References
  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  2. "Van Leer-Curwin Log Cabin". www.philadelphiabuildings.org.
  3. "TEHS - Quarterly Archives". www.tehistory.org.
  4. "Van Leer Timeline 1698". www.vanleerarchives.org.
  5. Lansing, D. I. (1970). "The medical Van Leer family of Pennsylvania and New Jersey". Transactions & Studies of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia. 38 (1): 44–6. PMID 4916432.
  6. History: Local: Village of Lima, Middletown Twp, Chester (now Delaware) Co, PA usgwarchives.net
  7. Smith Futhey, J. (2007). "History of Chester County, Pennsylvania, Biographies & Slavery". History of Chester County, Pennsylvania, Biographies & Slavery. pp. 687–688. ISBN 9780788443879.
  8. National Register of Historic Places npgallery.nps.gov
  9. Online, Maplewood. "Maplewood Online - Black History Month: Facts, History and Locations Related to Black History Month". Maplewood Online.
  10. "Van Leer Cabin Restoration Project, 1960-circa 1965" (PDF). Retrieved 24 July 2023.
  11. Archives, Van Leer (2021-11-08). "Van Leer Cabins". Van Leer Archives. Retrieved 2022-07-25.
  12. "Tredyffrin Newsletter Fall 2022 by Franklin Maps - Issuu". issuu.com.
  13. Priscilla L. Cox Southwell. "Dating the Van Leer Cabin".


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