Thursday, July 21, 2016

Mansions along the Delaware River - Pennsbury Manor

View, facing the river
The final mansion we visited on our traveling bus tour was Pennsbury Manor, the re-created country estate of William Penn. This is a living history museum that takes us back to the 1680's, an era still dependent upon travel on the Delaware River.   








William Penn received the land of Pennsylvania (Penn's Woods) from the King to settle a debt owed to his father. While William Penn only lived in America for 4 years, he founded a government that was built on representation of the people, ethnic and religious tolerance and a fair jury system.
William Penn was fair with the Indians and other land owners and entertained many here in this home just up the river from the city he designed, Philadelphia.

The withdrawing room, a private room just for William Penn for coffee, tea or hot cocoa, all expensive commodities in the time.
In the large Kitchen garden many herbs were grown, and even more vegetables for the manor, the guests and the servants. The cistern in the middle was filled with water from the river.



Hops Vine, grown and harvested to brew ale

2 comments:

Marilyn Miller said...

Now this is a place I would want to visit since Wm. Penn was a Quaker. I loved seeing this glimpse into his surroundings.

Angela McRae said...

Had no idea he lived here for only four years! I would have greatly enjoyed touring this museum. Love the term "withdrawing room." I'm sure I would "withdraw" there often!