A Rich Pennsylvania History

The Sycamores surrounding the house and barn at Bartshire are silent witnesses to over 250 years of history.  Dating back to 1747 when Quaker’s Samuel and Ruth Downing established this homestead as part of William Penn’s tract, gentle stories of life can be told.  Located in a rich agricultural valley along the Octorara Creek in Lancaster County, Bartshire blossomed into a  bustling commercial center of copper and leather shops, two-grain mills, a store and post office by 1776.   Perhaps these trees watched as immigrants gathered to form a militia to fight the British or slaves crossed the pasture to seek refuge before journeying further north as part of the Underground railroad.  By 1877 a fire had destroyed the mills and by the early 20^th century the Farm was in disrepair.  Purchased and restored starting in 1940s by the Keen brothers, second generation of a feed and grain company in Christiana and Atglen.  Bartshire became a summer retreat for 3 generations.

Today this 3rd generation owns this property under the Bartshire Preservation Trust.  The history and beauty are the backdrops for your special event;  the quietly beautiful rolling hills, winding Octorara Creek, neatly cultivated fields, lush green pastures together with the 1700s farmhouse, barn and ruin.  Today this rural setting is surrounded by Amish farms which give this venue a unique 'Pennsylvania Dutch' experience. Their agricultural centered simple lifestyle serves as a reminder of this history.