08/12/2026
In case anyone missed this in the newsletter the exterior of the historic Hope House has been beautifully restored. Be sure to take note when you drive by!
The John Hope House 1790-1802
The final stretch of Pennsbury Township’s John Hope House
Restoration Project is underway. The historic stone house
next to the Township building, once engulfed in late 19th and
20th century architectural additions and covered in stucco is being transformed into an historic Pennsbury landmark.
Fortunately, except for a few modifications to doors and windows, all four exterior stone walls of the original 1790-1802 house were intact under the alterations. The additions have been removed, and the windows and doors are being restored to their original sizes and locations. The stucco has been removed from three façades, and the stone is being cleaned and repointed. There is a new cedar shingle roof. A Preservation Garden will preserve the footprint foundations of the demolished late 19th century addition. The east façade will remain stucco.
Historic interior finishes and fireplaces were gutted long before the Township acquired the building. However, significantly intact and beautifully preserved, are the original mortise and tenon rafters and ties in the attic, and in the basement the original brick corbelling and arch supports for the fireplaces.Structural repairs have been made and while the building is now structurally sound, it is not structurally safe or up to code for occupancy.
The Hope House will become a landmark due to its prominent location next to the Township building and in direct alignment with the distinguished restored historic buildings along Route 1 in the Brandywine Battlefield National Historic Landmark,
including Washington’s Headquarters (Benjamin Ring House,) Lafayette’s Quarters (Gideon Gilpin House,) the Chadds Ford Inn,
Barns Brinton House, the Pennsbury Inn, the Daniel Pierce House1 and the Old Kennett Meetinghouse.
**The John Hope House sits on land purchased by John Hope in 1702 but was not built in his lifetime. The manor house he built for himself in c.1702 is the Daniel Pierce House on Hickory Hill Rd and Rt 1.
