The White Horse Tavern, also known as the White Horse Inn and Old Swanenburg Farm, is a historic American inn and tavern located in East Whiteland Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania.
White Horse Tavern | |
 White Horse Tavern, August 2023 | |
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| Location | Northwest of Malvern at 606 Swedesford Road, East Whiteland Township, Pennsylvania |
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| Coordinates | 40°02′30″N 75°34′41″W / 40.04167°N 75.57806°W |
| Area | 1.8 acres (0.73 ha) |
| Built | c. 1750, c. 1790 |
| NRHP reference No. | 78002373[1] |
| Added to NRHP | December 29, 1978 |
It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.[1]
History and architectural features
editEdward Kinnison of Chester County, Pennsylvania was born about 1675 and a devoted Quaker. When he was 22, he was seriously ill for 26 weeks. The court paid John Sanger for keeping him during his illness. By the time he married Mary Greenaway the 11th day 10th month 1703 he already owned several lots in Chester. His intentions of marriage were recorded in several minutes of the Quaker faith.
Edward is cited as a brickmaker when he purchases 2 ½ acres from James Sunderland in 1702.[xxiv] He acted as constable in West Chester in 1710 and had a tavern license for many years. The Kinnison home and property are part of the White Horse Tavern and Inn properties.
This historic building consists of two sections. The original section dates to circa 1750, and is a two-story, stuccoed stone structure. The western section was added circa 1790. Located at mile marker 24 on the Old Lancaster Road, it was an overnight stop on the first stage from Philadelphia to Lancaster. General George Washington used the older part as his headquarters following the Battle of Brandywine and during the abortive Battle of the Clouds. It was also an important stop for Washington's messenger from Valley Forge to Lancaster, when the latter served as the temporary U.S. capital.[2]
It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
- ^ "National Historic Landmarks & National Register of Historic Places in Pennsylvania" (Searchable database). CRGIS: Cultural Resources Geographic Information System. Note: This includes David and Caroline Dillman; Madeline L. Cohen & Doris M. Powell (n.d.). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory Inventory-Nomination: White Horse Tavern" (PDF). Retrieved 2012-11-01.