History Happened Here
Whether you are visiting for the first time or are a long-standing member of The Harriton Association, welcome! Built in 1704 and located in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, Harriton House is a distinguished example of early Pennsylvania architecture and a place to learn more about the life and legacy of one of America’s lesser-known founding fathers, Charles Thomson.
Come See Us
Whether you are visiting for the first time or are a long-standing member of The Harriton Association, welcome! We offer a window into the past representing more than 300 years of lived experience with guided tours of historic Harriton house, educational programs, and public events. We are honored by your visit and encourage you to explore the history preserved within these grounds.
Your Support Genuinely Helps
Whether you’re able to come see us regularly, or simply support our mission to preserve our local history and traditions, your engagement and support really go a long way. Thank you!
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Programs
Harriton House and Park offer exciting hands-on educational opportunities at all levels for children and adults. Students, educators, and life-long learners will enjoy programs in history, the environment, and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math). Go to our Education and Opportunities pages for details on workshops, summer experiences, and other programs. Start with a visit to our farm animals and our extensive park.
History
Visitors to the Harriton House Museum and Park find an authentic 18th-century house with furnishings of the period. See the desk that Charles Thomson used to write the minutes of the Continental Congress deliberations. View the rooms where local neighbors were regularly entertained, along with George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. Enjoy the surrounding park, part of the 700 acres of William Penn’s land grant.
The Property
Enjoy a walk and picnic in the park. Feed the goats, sheep, and chickens in the farmyard. Learn about the people who lived and worked here as the property evolved over 300 years: The original Welsh settler with a subsistence farm. The enslaved people on a tobacco plantation. A retired Founding Father experimenting with fruit trees. A woman botanist/explorer raising prize Guernsey dairy cows.