THE RICHARDSON HOUSE
Presently owned by the Langhorne Community Memorial Association and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Richardson House was built in 1738 by Joseph Richardson to serve as his home and a general store which was in the south-east corner of the first-floor room. It was the only store in the area. Situated at the intersection of the two main north-south, east-west roads in Bucks County, the Kings Highway, present day Route 213 or Maple Avenue, leading from Trenton New Jersey to Philadelphia and the Durham Road, today Bellevue Avenue, leading from the port of Bristol on the Delaware River to the iron ore mines in upper Bucks County, the Richardson store attracted a large clientele. Old ledgers from the store indicate that Benjamin Franklin and John Adams may have made purchases there.
His house was one of the largest and grandest in the area of which he was very proud. Richardson became quite wealthy and acquired thousands of acres of land. Records indicate he may have owned as many as 48 slaves.
In 1776 following the battles of Trenton and Princeton, General Washington quartered some of his troops in four buildings in Four Lanes End, including the Richardson House. They remained there until May 1777. The Hicks House across the street from the Richardsons was used as a hospital. Young Jane Richardson saw those who died there being taken by cart down the street from the hospital for burial. Later she related the story to her nephew, Joshua Richardson, who made note of it in his 1869 journal which years later lead to the discovery of the Revolutionary War Burial Site at the corner of South Bellevue Avenue and Flowers Avenue. Also in 1777, after being injured in the Battle of Bradywine, General LaFayette stayed briefly with the Richardsons as he traveled to a hospital in Bethlehem.
Following the death of Mary Richardson, the Langhorne Community Memorial Association acquired the property.
For more information on the Richardson House, please contact Historic Langhorne Association at historiclanghorne1@verizon.net or by calling 215 757 1888.
THE LANGHORNE COMMUNITY MEMORIAL ASSOCIATION
The Langhorne Community Memorial Association was formed in 1919 and chartered on April 30, 1921. The members consisted of Alfred Wildman, Arthur Townsend, Edward Osterhout, Samuel Ridge, M.D., Horace Mitchell, Charles Mathews, Henry Palmer, William Parry, Walter Shaw, Clarence J. Buckman and Henry Watson. Following the death of Mary Richardson, the last Richardson to live in the house, Alfred Wildman purchased the property for $6500.00. A year later he deeded the property for $1.00 and “other considerations” to the Memorial Association. In addition, community members donated funds for the purchase of additional property and to make improvements to the building. The Memorial Association continues to own the property.
The Association’s Charter states that the building is to be “A Community Memorial to the men of the war services of the United States, the men and women of the Langhorne Branch of the Southeastern Chapter of the . . . Red Cross, and the men and women of all other organizations who patriotically contributed their time and resources at the Nation’s call during the Great War, and to be used for the holding of meetings, receptions, fairs, suppers and other forms of entertainment for patriotic, public and civic purposes…” A plaque honoring those who served during the War was placed on the eastern wall of the building. The names include not only those of the men who served in the military but also those of women who had military roles, nurses from the local Red Cross, doctors, and pastors. Three are listed as having been killed in battle: Frances Franklin, Jesse W. Soby and Russell S. Tomlinson.
Today, a committee of nine members, five from Langhorne Borough, and one each from Langhorne Manor, Penndel, Hulmeville and Middletown Township, oversees the building and the Association. The Memorial Association has been honored by the Washington Crossing Questers organization and the Washington Crossing Chapter of The Daughters of The American Revolution for its preservation of this historic house.
The Memorial Park is also owned by the Association. However, since 1921 it has been leased to Langhorne Borough to be a public space. The Four Lanes End Garden Club helps maintain the grounds. The Park is open to visitors and as a place for children to play. Langhorne Borough Business Association holds bi-weekly concerts in the park starting the end of May.
The Association is funded by income from the Peace Center which rents the second floor, a small endowment, and from community donations. The Four Lanes End Garden Club helps maintain the gardens.
USE OF THE RICHARDSON HOUSE
To help support the upkeep of the building, the man room of the Richardson House is available for rent on an hourly basis. The room can accommodate 45 – 50 people. Tables and chairs are provided, and a kitchen area is available. The room has air conditioning. Parking is on-street, or, with permission, visitors may use the neighboring parking lot of the Will Travel Building adjacent to the park.
There is no fee for the use of the Memorial Park, however permission to hold events there is required from the Memorial Association and Langhorne Borough which leases the grounds for a public space.
Please note that alcohol and smoking are not permitted on the property. The restroom is on the second floor. LIABILITY INSURANCE IS REQUIRED FOR GROUPS OF MORE THAN 10 PEOPLE.
Information on use is available by contacting the Memorial Association through our email or by calling 215 421 5588
Please note that the Peace Center does not own the building and does not handle its use.
HOW CAN YOU HELP THIS COMMUNITY TREASURE?
You can help preserve the Richardson House for future generations. The Langhorne Community Memorial Association is a nonprofit run by volunteers. The Association does not receive public funds but relies on rental income and donations.
YOU CAN VOLUNTEER: We need people to help maintain the building, oversee use of the building and to help raise funds. Please contact us for more information.
YOU CAN DONATE: As a nonprofit, 501 © (3) the organization does not receive funds from local municipalities but relies on rental income which covers some operating expenses. Donations cover almost a third of our needs. Donations can be sent to:
Langhorne Community Memorial Association
c/o Ellyn Schoen
111 West Maple Avenue
Langhorne PA 19047
THE 1738 JOSEPH RICHARDSON HOUSE CAPITAL ENDOWMENT
This fund was established to help provide for the future maintenance of the Richardson House and is a restricted fund. If you are interested in contributing to this fund, please contact us.
Richardson House 