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.
Join us at Harriton House for our final Farmstead Frolic for the Summer. On Wednesday we`ll read about bees and make some noise!
Farmstead Frolics begin at 11:00 am. Meet near the play house. Donations gratefully accepted.
We`ll meet indoors in the event of rain.
See you Wednesday!
#farmsteadfrolics #storyhour #lowermeriontownship #brynmawr
#Charles_Thomson
Join us at Harriton House for our final Farmstead Frolic for the Summer. On Wednesday we`ll read about bees and make some noise!
Farmstead Frolics begin at 11:00 am. Meet near the play house. Donations gratefully accepted.
We`ll meet indoors in the event of rain.
See you Wednesday!
#farmsteadfrolics #storyhour #lowermeriontownship #brynmawr
#Charles_Thomson
The first week of Harriton`s summer camp wrapped up with new recruits in the Continental Army. This year`s campers are also founding members of the newly formed Harriton Junior Historians. Stay tuned to learn more about what is in store for the Harriton Junior Historians and how to join.
#harritonjuniorhistorians #historycamp #historyhappenedhere #lowermeriontownship
The first week of Harriton`s summer camp wrapped up with new recruits in the Continental Army. This year`s campers are also founding members of the newly formed Harriton Junior Historians. Stay tuned to learn more about what is in store for the Harriton Junior Historians and how to join.
#harritonjuniorhistorians #historycamp #historyhappenedhere #lowermeriontownship
Harriton History Camp Day 3 by the numbers:
• 6 pints of heavy cream churned into butter
• 16 cucumbers turned into take-home refrigerator pickles
• 3 fresh eggs
• 5 baguettes toasted on a wrought iron griddle for camp snack with butter
• 6 patient chickens
• 2 cuddly little goats
• 1 new resident of the Cherry Tree Pasture - Ted the Toad
and
One tired but happy Mow @a_goat_named_mow
It was a full day with two more to go!
#historycamp #historyhappenedhere #STEM_STEAM #Charles_Thomson #lowermeriontownship
Harriton History Camp Day 3 by the numbers:
• 6 pints of heavy cream churned into butter
• 16 cucumbers turned into take-home refrigerator pickles
• 3 fresh eggs
• 5 baguettes toasted on a wrought iron griddle for camp snack with butter
• 6 patient chickens
• 2 cuddly little goats
• 1 new resident of the Cherry Tree Pasture - Ted the Toad
and
One tired but happy Mow @a_goat_named_mow
It was a full day with two more to go!
#historycamp #historyhappenedhere #STEM_STEAM #Charles_Thomson #lowermeriontownship
Harriton`s popular Farmstead Frolics are back! Wednesday mornings July 29, August 5, and 19 we will have a programs for out littlest friends.
Each session lasts approximately 30 - 45 minutes and includes story time, a chance to meet our farm animals, and plenty of gentle fun. The program is informal so joining in late or leaving early are not a problem. We also encourage staying after the formal Frolics to explore more of Harriton`s grounds or enjoy a picnic.
No reservations are required. We will move indoors in the event of rain. Admission is free but donations to support our programs are always welcome.
Use the free parking in our main lot and walk up to the farmyard. We gather near the playhouse.
Please call 610-525-0201 or email to info@harrionhouse.org if you have questions.
#farmsteadfrolics #freeprogram #earlychildhood #Charles_Thomson #brynmawrpa #familyfriendly
Harriton`s popular Farmstead Frolics are back! Wednesday mornings July 29, August 5, and 19 we will have a programs for out littlest friends.
Each session lasts approximately 30 - 45 minutes and includes story time, a chance to meet our farm animals, and plenty of gentle fun. The program is informal so joining in late or leaving early are not a problem. We also encourage staying after the formal Frolics to explore more of Harriton`s grounds or enjoy a picnic.
No reservations are required. We will move indoors in the event of rain. Admission is free but donations to support our programs are always welcome.
Use the free parking in our main lot and walk up to the farmyard. We gather near the playhouse.
Please call 610-525-0201 or email to info@harrionhouse.org if you have questions.
#farmsteadfrolics #freeprogram #earlychildhood #Charles_Thomson #brynmawrpa #familyfriendly
Historic Harriton House and the Harriton Association`s Office will be closed on Saturday, July 4th, 2026. We will re-open on Sunday, July 5th, 2026 at 11:00 am for "A Declaration Celebration at Charles Thomson`s Harriton House".
The grounds of Harriton House, the park, and the preserve will remain open from sunrise to sunset. Due to the extreme heat, please note that the farm animals may choose to stay in the barn.
We wish you all a happy, safe, and meaningful celebration of the 4th of July.
#semiquicentennial #housesofdeclaration @visitvalleyforge #brynmawrpa #declarationofindependence
Historic Harriton House and the Harriton Association`s Office will be closed on Saturday, July 4th, 2026. We will re-open on Sunday, July 5th, 2026 at 11:00 am for "A Declaration Celebration at Charles Thomson`s Harriton House".
The grounds of Harriton House, the park, and the preserve will remain open from sunrise to sunset. Due to the extreme heat, please note that the farm animals may choose to stay in the barn.
We wish you all a happy, safe, and meaningful celebration of the 4th of July.
#semiquicentennial #housesofdeclaration @visitvalleyforge #brynmawrpa #declarationofindependence
We`re busy preparing for Sunday`s Declaration Celebration at Charles Thomson`s Harriton House. From hanging bunting, and gathering our collection of yard games, to decorating baskets, Harriton is a hive of activity.
Thanks to the generosity of the Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board we will have free copies of the Declaration of Independence for the first 50 families. @visitvalleyforge organized the Houses of Declaration project to commemorate the Semiquincentennial in Montgomery County, bringing together historic houses and site across the county for public readings of the Declaration.
Harriton House is pleased to be a part of this project in honor of our most famous resident, Charles Thomson, the first and only Secretary of the Continental Congresses.
#housesofdeclaration #makeitmontco #America250PA #CharlesThomson #brynmawrpa #semiquincentenial
We`re busy preparing for Sunday`s Declaration Celebration at Charles Thomson`s Harriton House. From hanging bunting, and gathering our collection of yard games, to decorating baskets, Harriton is a hive of activity.
Thanks to the generosity of the Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board we will have free copies of the Declaration of Independence for the first 50 families. @visitvalleyforge organized the Houses of Declaration project to commemorate the Semiquincentennial in Montgomery County, bringing together historic houses and site across the county for public readings of the Declaration.
Harriton House is pleased to be a part of this project in honor of our most famous resident, Charles Thomson, the first and only Secretary of the Continental Congresses.
#housesofdeclaration #makeitmontco #America250PA #CharlesThomson #brynmawrpa #semiquincentenial
America`s 250th Anniversary doesn`t end at midnight on July 4th! Continue your celebrations at historic Harriton House at our Declaration Celebration on Sunday, July 5th.
Harriton is hosting a free community gathering to celebrate Charles Thomson`s role in helping to make the Declaration of Independence possible. Thomson served as Secretary to the Continental Congresses from 1774 to 1789, an important role where he was responsible for much of the behind-the-scenes logistics of the Congress.
Come to Harriton, celebrate with us, and learn more about Charles Thomson.
The event is free, parking is free, and picnicking and patriotic dress is highly encouraged. We`ll have free ice cream, live bluegrass music, and yard games to play.
Free commemorative copies of the Declaration of Independence will be given out to the first 50 families courtesy of Visit Valley Forge. @visitvalleyforge
#HousesofDeclaration #America250PA #brynmawrPA #HarritonHouse #Charles_Thomson
America`s 250th Anniversary doesn`t end at midnight on July 4th! Continue your celebrations at historic Harriton House at our Declaration Celebration on Sunday, July 5th.
Harriton is hosting a free community gathering to celebrate Charles Thomson`s role in helping to make the Declaration of Independence possible. Thomson served as Secretary to the Continental Congresses from 1774 to 1789, an important role where he was responsible for much of the behind-the-scenes logistics of the Congress.
Come to Harriton, celebrate with us, and learn more about Charles Thomson.
The event is free, parking is free, and picnicking and patriotic dress is highly encouraged. We`ll have free ice cream, live bluegrass music, and yard games to play.
Free commemorative copies of the Declaration of Independence will be given out to the first 50 families courtesy of Visit Valley Forge. @visitvalleyforge
#HousesofDeclaration #America250PA #brynmawrPA #HarritonHouse #Charles_Thomson
These names are those of 12 people known to have been enslaved by Richard and Hannah Norris Harrison on their tobacco plantation. There were more, but their names have been lost to history. On Juneteenth we pause to remember these individuals.
Grigg moved with Richard and Hannah from Maryland when they settled in Pennsylvania c. 1720. It is not known when he met and married Beck. They both moved with Hannah Norris Harrison to the Northern Liberties of Philadelphia in 1760 after the death of her son Thomas Harrison. In her will of 1772, Hannah Norris Harrison stated that Grigg and Beck were to be freed upon the death of her son Samuel. Samuel died in July of 1774 shortly before his mother passed away in August of the same year.
It is believed that Grigg and Beck were freed shortly after Samuel`s death. They remained in Philadelphia and maintained contact with Hannah Harrison Thomson. After Beck died in late 1797, Thomson extended an invitation for Grigg to return to Harriton, and it was here that he died in 1801. On the day of Grigg`s death, Thomson noted in his daybook that Grigg did not know his age, but “he remembered that he waited on his mistress when his master moved from Maryland.”
Juneteenth marks the date in 1865 when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation.
The Harriton Association and Harriton House continue to research the history of enslavement on this land in recognition of the contributions made by these individuals.
#juneteenth #richard_harrison #charles_thomson #brynmawrpa
These names are those of 12 people known to have been enslaved by Richard and Hannah Norris Harrison on their tobacco plantation. There were more, but their names have been lost to history. On Juneteenth we pause to remember these individuals.
Grigg moved with Richard and Hannah from Maryland when they settled in Pennsylvania c. 1720. It is not known when he met and married Beck. They both moved with Hannah Norris Harrison to the Northern Liberties of Philadelphia in 1760 after the death of her son Thomas Harrison. In her will of 1772, Hannah Norris Harrison stated that Grigg and Beck were to be freed upon the death of her son Samuel. Samuel died in July of 1774 shortly before his mother passed away in August of the same year.
It is believed that Grigg and Beck were freed shortly after Samuel`s death. They remained in Philadelphia and maintained contact with Hannah Harrison Thomson. After Beck died in late 1797, Thomson extended an invitation for Grigg to return to Harriton, and it was here that he died in 1801. On the day of Grigg`s death, Thomson noted in his daybook that Grigg did not know his age, but “he remembered that he waited on his mistress when his master moved from Maryland.”
Juneteenth marks the date in 1865 when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation.
The Harriton Association and Harriton House continue to research the history of enslavement on this land in recognition of the contributions made by these individuals.
#juneteenth #richard_harrison #charles_thomson #brynmawrpa
Harriton House is closed on Sundays but you can find us today at the Haverford Heritage Festival. We`re across from Nitre Hall.
Harriton House is closed on Sundays but you can find us today at the Haverford Heritage Festival. We`re across from Nitre Hall.
The next time you visit Harriton House, print out this scavenger hunt to enhance your visit! Walk around the grounds and see how many boxes you can check off.
#brynmawrpa #charlesthomson #harritonhouse #scavengerhunt
The next time you visit Harriton House, print out this scavenger hunt to enhance your visit! Walk around the grounds and see how many boxes you can check off.
#brynmawrpa #charlesthomson #harritonhouse #scavengerhunt
Harriton House has hosted students from the Praxis program for the third year through the Bryn Mawr Museum studies department. Although she has graduated, Angela’s work has impacted us greatly. Below is her story while working at the Harriton House.
During my last senior semester, I interned at the Harriton House working on a transcription project on Charles Thomson’s daybook. I have never transcribed before, so this praxis internship was a great way for me to learn a new skill. During the transcription process, I found multiple people and places mentioned in relation to Thomson. I recorded my findings and completed further researched, discovering more about the Philadelphia societal figures and places that Thomson knew. The most fulfilling part of this project was learning about the everyday vernacular used in colonial times as well as seeing the behind-the-scenes of a historic house.
#harriton_house #latergram #brynmawr #charelsthomson #museum
Harriton House has hosted students from the Praxis program for the third year through the Bryn Mawr Museum studies department. Although she has graduated, Angela’s work has impacted us greatly. Below is her story while working at the Harriton House.
During my last senior semester, I interned at the Harriton House working on a transcription project on Charles Thomson’s daybook. I have never transcribed before, so this praxis internship was a great way for me to learn a new skill. During the transcription process, I found multiple people and places mentioned in relation to Thomson. I recorded my findings and completed further researched, discovering more about the Philadelphia societal figures and places that Thomson knew. The most fulfilling part of this project was learning about the everyday vernacular used in colonial times as well as seeing the behind-the-scenes of a historic house.
#harriton_house #latergram #brynmawr #charelsthomson #museum
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.