The Jones Log Barn
The Jones Log Barn is one of the oldest log barns in the Mid Atlantic region. Its rare architecture and unique history has made it eligible for the National Register of Historic Places, and it was certified as a Chester County Historic Resource in 2004. The barn, which stood for over 250 years, suffered from time and benign neglect--causing its foundation to crack and its roof to collapse. The owner of the property where the barn was located wanted to donate the barn to Tredyffrin Township or have it demolished because its deteriorating state posed a liability. Demolition seemed to be the barn's fate until, the Tredyffrin Township Historic Architectural Review Board (HARB) petitioned the Board of Supervisors at its October 2, 2000 meeting for support in its efforts to save this unique piece of Tredyffrin history. The Board of Supervisors agreed to loan the HARB $25,000 to dismantle the barn and store it, with the requirement that the HARB must pay back the $25,000 loan and pay for all the work necessary to restore and rebuild the barn.
Constructed within 10 years of the death of Pennsylvania's founder, William Penn, the circa 1730 Jones Barn paints a picture of early Welsh-American architecture. At the time this barn was built, the western shores of the Schuylkill River were considered the wild frontier, as they were inhabited by Indians, wild animals and other unknowns. Life was very hard for the original inhabitants of the land this barn sat on. Rowland Richard, the original owner, began cultivating this heavily forested land in 1708. At this time, it took nearly a year to clear an acre of land. By 1727, the land passed to Griffith John, or Jones, who began building the structures seen on the land today (a stone dwelling, the barn, a carriage house and spring house). The early barn was used for storing hay and grains cultivated on the land. A cow or two and maybe a horse lived in the stalls under the main barn. During the fall and winter of 1777, under Samuel Jones' (Griffith's son) ownership, the Revolutionary War came to the Jones farm. In the third week of September, British General Sir William Howe occupied the complex as he and his troops pillaged the surrounding countryside. It is from this farm that he launched the attack on Paoli, that became known as the famous Paoli Massacre. As General Washington and his troops wintered in Valley Forge in the brutal winter of 1777 into 1778, this farm was occupied by General Charles Scott of the Continental Army.
The Jones barn is unique, not only for its age and its contributions to Pennsylvania history, but also for its architecture. The barn is reminiscent of English Lake District architecture. The lower level of the barn, which housed horses and cattle, was built into the hillside using stone as its foundation. The second floor of the barn was constructed of two log cribs separated by a central threshing floor, which was used to separate the seeds from the hay/grain. The massive logs used to create the two cribs are 30 feet to 48.5 feet in length, devoid of bark and the ends have been individually saddle-notched for a perfect fit. In 1803, the son of Samuel Jones, Enoch, used stone from a quarry on the property to build a stone addition and forebay. The addition and forebay, both display a strong Swiss-Germanic influence, suggesting that Enoch hired Swiss Germanic tradesman that settled in the area following the French and Indian War massacre that drove them out of Berks County. Through the architecture of the barn, one can see the history of early Pennsylvania life: its economics, ethnic migratory patterns, and lifestyle.
In 2004, a nonprofit organization called the Tredyffrin Historic Preservation Trust (THPT), was formed by a group of concerned citizens and HARB members to address the needs of Tredyffrin's historic resources.
The Trust is now actively campaigning to raise the estimated $400,000 required to reconstruct the barn in Tredyffrin's newly opened 90 acre Wilson Farm Park.This is a three phase project. In Phase I we catalogued and stored the barn, organized the Trust, started fund raising, and repaid $25,000 borrowed from Tredyffrin Township to dismantle the barn. In Phase II we have hired a qualified architectural restoration firm (Frens and Frens Restoration Architects of West Chester) to prepare the plans, repair and replace selected logs, which are the core of the structure, do preliminary site work and begin to develop the exhibits to be housed in the center. The Barn when rebuilt, will house an educational and visitors center. We plan on completing Phase II in 2005. Phase III, construction and installation of exhibits, will take place in 2006. Our goal is to have the Barn and Visitors Center operating by 2007, which is the Township's 300th anniversary.
The Trust envisions promoting the Jones Barn as part of several themes, including; Chester County Welsh Heritage (in conjunction with the County's heritage tourism program), early history of the Township, Chester County barn construction, the Township's place in the American Revolutionary War and in the early development of our nation, as well as a plan to honor the Township's 1900 veterans and citizen soldiers. The role of Valley Creek, a tributary to the Schuylkill River, in the encampment at Valley Forge and in the economic development of the area will also be explored. We will be developing exhibits with adults and students in mind, working with local schools to integrate the barn into the fabric of local history.
Two years ago the TRUST began a successful series of lectures and special events, such as the Historic House Tour, focusing on historical and architectural topics as part of our effort to carry out our mission of promoting historic preservation in the community and familiarize people with our name and mission. The TRUST is continuing fund-raising efforts with a recently established "Friends of the Trust" membership program and the "Adopt-a-Log" campaign in which specific elements of the barn reconstruction can be funded - or adopted. It has already attracted several significant private contributions. The Trust received a significant donation from businesses and individuals as part of the 2004 opening of Wilson Farm Park. Proceeds from this event were in excess of $48,000.
The TRUST would like to encourage participation from the community and its members. We are actively seeking partnership opportunities with local companies and business to help us in the rebuilding efforts of the Jones Log Barn. Would you like to help save the Richards-Jones Log Barn?
Email us at pattye@greatvalleyhouse or call us at (610) 644-6759.
