If you're a history buff, there are plenty of interesting historical sites to be found throughout the state of New Jersey and the surrounding areas. A number of influential historical figures have made their homes here, and today, the state is home to 58 National Historical Sites. Among the wide selection of sites here, Barclay Farmstead in Cherry Hill has got to be one of our favorites. Built in 1816 by Quaker farmer Joseph Thorn, this charming farmhouse and 32-acre property offer a glimpse into 19th-century agrarian life in New Jersey. Our Cherry Hill DWI lawyers love the following highlights from the Barclay Farmstead:
Activities
Barclay Farmstead's main Federal-style farmhouse acts as a museum. Visitors are invited to go on guided tours where they can view and learn about the history of various period furnishings, clothing, textiles, and other antiques. The farmhouse and objects within showcase the Quaker and agrarian way of life that was so prevalent in South Jersey during the 19th-century. Throughout the 30 acres of grounds, you'll also discover period outbuildings, a restored herb garden, interpretive nature trails, community garden plots, a playground, a shaded picnic area, and the Museum Shop.
Holiday House: Barclay Collections Unveiled
Throughout the seasons, Barclay Farmstead regularly hosts a wide range of educational events and programs. These special events are always fun ways to learn new things and bond together as a family. The next upcoming event on the calendar is called Holiday House: Barclay Collections Unveiled.
During Holiday House, the Barclay Farmstead will be decorated in the theme of "Barclay Collections Unveiled." The always-beautiful interiors and exteriors of the home will take on a unique holiday charm during this event. Gifts will be available for purchase and light refreshments will be provided during the event. Additionally, there will be a wine tasting on Friday evening from 6:30 - 8:30. The event will be held from Friday, November 30 through Sunday, December 2.
History of Barclay Farmstead
The story of Barclay Farmstead begins with the construction of the centerpiece 16-room farmhouse, built by Joseph Thorn between 1816 and 1818. This house showcases the defining characteristics of the federal style of architecture which was hugely popular in the United States in the years following the American Revolution.
Joseph Thorn purchased the original 168-acre property from Samuel Kay in 1816 for roughly $10,500. During the 1820s, Thorn came on hard financial times and stopped making mortgage payments. In 1826, the Joseph W. Cooper purchased the property.
In 1954, Cooper's great-granddaughter Helen Champion Cooper Clay purchased the property and retained 32 acres. In 1974, she told it to Cherry Hill Township on the understanding that it would be used as a public park and recreation center. In 1976, the restoration began to transform the home into what it looked like in the 19th century.
