The Barclay Home (also known as: the Joshua Hartshorne Estate; North Hill; and The Barclay) was accepted into the National Register of Historic Places because the “Property is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history”. [Social History, Architecture]. The justification for inclusion in the National Registry …
Read more “The Barclay Home is placed on the National Register of Historic Places”
After another fight by the neighbors to retain the character of the property a 10 year moratorium on development of the grounds was established in return for allowing the building to be zoned for commercial office space.
To meet expanding needs … the Barclay proposed to erect a number of small houses and an apartment house on its property. This proposal was apparently abandoned due to local opposition, and the park-like setting of the Barclay remained intact.
After the passing of Joshua Hartshorne the site was purchased from the Hartshorne heirs by two prominent local businessmen who donated it to the Barclay Home (a Quaker home for the elderly). In a Daily Local News article of the day, Mr. Kay (one of the two donors) was quoted as saying: “When the work …
Read more “After the dead of Joshua Hartshorne the property changes hands”
The Park was part of a nursery operated by the horticulturist John Rutter. John Rutter is known for developing the Rutter peach varietal, which he developed by selective cultivation.
Thanks to borough, county, and state officials, land conservancies, the Barclay Grounds Preservation Alliance and many donors, the land was purchased to create a permanent park. The park was dedicated April 22, 2016.
On April 13, 1866, Joshua Hartshorne purchased a plot of land in West Chester for the site of his retirement home from John and Maria Rutter. Joshua Hartshorne was a Civil War iron merchant.
Save The Barclay website transitions to Friends of Barclay Park