Historic Hope Lodge, once an epicenter of Revolutionary War skirmishes, helps tell America's story
A home to Quakers in Pennsylvania's colonial era and a headquarters during the Revolutionary War is open to visitors at Historic Hope Lodge.
You can feel the warmth as soon as you step inside.
"Welcome to Historic Hope Lodge," Kevin Horan, the president of Friends of Hope Lodge, said.
Along with his wife, lodge volunteer and event coordinator Diane Horan, Kevin Horan opens the doors of Historic Hope Lodge to the nation's Quaker and colonial-era in Fort Washington.
"The house was built between 1743 and 1748," Kevin Horan said. "Samuel Morris lived in this house from 1748 until his death in 1760."
The home was later the epicenter of Revolutionary War skirmishes. Every year, you can see the battles memorialized in the surrounding area's Whitemarsh Township encampment re-enactments at the lodge.
"It celebrates the time when the Continental Army was here in Whitemarsh between November, December 1777," Kevin Horan said. "After the Battle of Germantown in October, the Continental Army came up The Great Road, known as Bethlehem Pike today, and encamped in the hills surrounding this property."
You can also see actual pieces of Montgomery County geological history in a fireplace in the lodge.
"This is what's called King of Prussia Marble," Kevin Horan said. "It's not a true marble. It's actually part of a limestone deposit."
Diane Horan said you can even see the history of the nation in the clothes the Horans wear during guided tours.
"Hair pushed up, because you didn't show your hair, nor did you show your elbows or knees," Diane Horan said.
However, Diane Horan will show visitors a culinary history lesson in an old-world kitchen.
"A cider pot," she said as she stood over a hearth. "Or, just put the pot underneath or over the fire, and cook. Our various pots, sizes depending on what you're cooking."
The lodge is also home to modern events like weddings and the annual British Car Show.
"We get a good crowd out here, and it's a lot of fun," Diane Horan said. "We have live music and food."
Be it colonial history or new nuptials, Historic Hope Lodge has a story to tell.
"It's an area where we try to keep the traditions alive that were established over 275 years ago," Diane Horan said.
Historic Hope Lodge is open for guided tours most Sunday afternoons, except national holidays.