Prospect Park in Delaware County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
A Change For the Worse?
Photographed by Kate Clifford, March 17, 2026
1. A Change For the Worse? Marker
In 1938, the State of Pennsylvania received federal funding to restore Morton Homestead. The drawing shows the building before the work began.
The restoration was controversial from the beginning. The restoration team dismantled the house log by log. They replaced rotten logs with logs from other old buildings. They took apart and completely rebuilt the roof, leaving only one original beam. Windows, door hardware and flooring were all replaced with modern materials. The only original features of the structure left in place were the fireplace in the north room, the stone walls and the framing of the attic floor in the center room. The original building was gone. In its place was a modern reconstruction. A contemporary report call the restoration an historical fraud.
Scholars still deplore the inaccuracy of the restoration and the destruction of the buildings historic materials. However, research shows that the shape of the building, at least, is very similar to its original appearance. Without the 1938 restoration, the building may not have survived at all.
When?
Before 1638: Indians
1655 - 1664: Dutch dominion
1664 - 1681: English rule
1681 - 1784: Pennsylvania colony
1784 - 1870: Americans
1870 - 1935: Suburban development
1935 - 1937: Building restoration
1937 - present: Historic park
Erected 2024
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Colonial Era • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1938.
Location. 39° 52.608′ N, 75° 18.332′ W. Marker is in Prospect Park, Pennsylvania, in Delaware County. It can be reached from Lincoln Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 Lincoln Ave, Prospect Park PA 19076, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Pennsylvania and in Greater Philadelphia. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, New Netherland, and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Welcome to the Morton Homestead (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Welcome to the Morton Homestead
Photographed by Kate Clifford, March 17, 2026
2. A Change For the Worse? Marker and Morton Homestead
Other markers no longer nearby. Morton Homestead (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); The First Building (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); The Second Building (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); A Morton Mystery (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Even History Changes (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); The Ferry Landing (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named Darby Creek Then and Now (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Welcome to The Morton Homestead (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Credits. This page was last revised on March 26, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 24, 2026, by Kate Clifford of Lansdowne, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 25 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 24, 2026, by Kate Clifford of Lansdowne, Pennsylvania. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
