The Chads Springhouse
The Chads' Springhouse predates the home of John Chads across the street. It was built to be both a springhouse and a residence with a corner fireplace in the living area and a sleeping loft above. It was probably built by John Wyeth Jr., the stonemason who built the John Chads House, to provide his living quarters during the several seasons it took to build the Chads House. Note that there is no relationship between John Wyeth Jr. and the Wyeth family of artists.
Welcome to the Chads' Springhouse and home to Birmingham School No. 1.
The Springhouse was used as a tenant house. It also served as a school in the first half of the 19th century. Children sat on long benches behind narrow tables. They might have studied geography, mathematics, penmanship and land surveying, in addition to reading.
Of special architectural interest is the brick faced corner fireplace which would have originally had wooden breastwork with a mantelpiece and recessed niches similar to the two corner fireplaces in the John Chads House. All but one of the rafters supporting the loft floor are original.
The corner of the Springhouse to your right is believed to have been damaged by General Knyphausen's artillery fire during the Battle of Brandywine, September 11, 1777.
As you walk around the Springhouse you will see the door to
this page online
The Chads' Springhouse is open weekends May 25 through September 1, 2013 from 1 to 5 p.m.
School and group tours are available through the year by appointment. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call (610) 388-7376 or email [email protected]
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical date for this entry is May 25, 1619.
Location. 39° 52.483′ N, 75° 35.5′ W. Marker is near Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, in Delaware County. It is in Chadds Ford Township. Marker can be reached from Creek Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1719 Creek Rd, Chadds Ford PA 19317, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. John Chad's House (a few steps from this marker); Chadds Ford Historical Society (a few steps from this marker); Chadds Ford Barn Shops (approx. 0.2 miles away); Battle of Brandywine (approx. ¼ mile away); R. B. Monument, 2004 (approx. 0.3 miles away); Gradient (Maple Tree), 2015 (approx. 0.3 miles away); Miss Gratz, 1984 (approx. 0.3 miles away); Helen, 1989 (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chadds Ford.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 18, 2014, by Nathan Davidson of Salisbury, Maryland. This page has been viewed 478 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 18, 2014, by Nathan Davidson of Salisbury, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
