Van Leer Cabin, is a historic cabin and one of the last historical dwellings in

Tredyffrin Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania Tredyffrin Township ( ) is a township located in eastern Chester County, Pennsylvania. The population was 29,332 at the 2010 census. Settled in the late 17th century, Tredyffrin is bounded by Delaware and Montgomery counties. It includes on ...

. It still stands on the grounds of Conestoga High School.

History

The original structure belonged to several homes owned by the Van Leer family who immigrated from Prussia in 1759. Dr. Bernardhus Van Leer a well known doctor bought 109 acres at the location of the Cabin the same year. Dr. Bernardhus Van Leer is considered notable for traveling on horseback until the age of 102, and being one of the first medical doctors in New York. Dr. Van Leer's son Captain

Samuel Van Leer Captain Samuel Van Leer (January 7, 1747 – October 15, 1825) was a military officer from Pennsylvania who served as a captain in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War and as lieutenant in the Chester County Light Horse Volu ...

and family would later play an important role in American history as a revolutionary war soldier. Van Leers were noted in the anti-slavery cause and built nearby free negro communities for newly freed slaves. Van Leer's also financially supported the Underground Railroad. In the mid-1960s students and volunteers helped restore the cabin, located on Conestoga High School. The Cabin is also utilized as part of an American History Course.

Architecture

In the Pennsylvania colony, log cabins play a significant part of architectural history. The Van Leer Cabin appears to follow the German type, where logs are set tightly together and even at the corners.

References

Houses on the National Register of Historic Places in Pennsylvania Houses completed in 1780 Houses in Chester County, Pennsylvania National Register of Historic Places in Chester County, Pennsylvania Van Leer family {{ChesterCountyPA-NRHP-stub American Anti-Slavery Society

History

Architecture

See also

References