One of the most important extant buildings in Newtown Township, due to its association with the internationally famous artist, Benjamin West, is the building known as the Square Tavern. The artist’s father, John West, was host and lived there with his family intermittently between 1744 (when Benjamin was 6 years old) and 1758.

The Inn or Tavern stands at the corner of Goshen Road and Newtown Street Road [Rt. 252], the Central Square of the town ... The tavern building itself, “completed” late in 1742 by Francis Elliot and his apprentices, has undergone many changes and additions through the years. ...

An excellent job of restoration on the Inn was completed at the end of January,1981, the work being done under the supervision of General Contractor, David Abel, working with the John Milner Associates under the sponsorship of then owners, ARCO CHEMICAL RESEARCH CO., INC. Dedication of the restored building took place on February 1, 1981. ...

The 1742 Square Tavern Museum is included in the Historical Society's mission of education and outreach to our community.  Inside the Tavern we have replicated what the tavern would have looked like in the 1700s downstairs, and offer art exhibits of Newtown Square and surrounding areas, and the History of Newtown's Transportation and Newtown's Early Beginnings exhibits upstairs. The tavern has a gift shop which offers various Newtown Square specific items. Costumed guides will give you a glimpse into tavern life in Newtown Square in the 1700s. The Benjamin West Gallery is located on our first floor and offers samples of the renowned artist’s work. … Interpretive speaker, and Newtown sculptor Terry Jones joins us on specific Saturdays throughout the year and gives informative talks on West's life and work.

More information may be found on the Square Tavern page of the NSHS website.

The historic three-story stone building along Darby Creek in Newtown Township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania contains an 1850s era general store, and three levels of a local history museum containing artifacts representing the history of Newtown Township.

The original building was constructed in 1828 to house four families that worked at the local mills along the Darby Creek. An addition was built in 1845 to contain a general store that served the community that grew up around the mills. The building overlooks the creek and a stone bridge that carries St. David’s Road over the creek. A modern wooden pedestrian bridge over the creek connects the building to the parking area for the site. Along the creek in the area are archeological remains of both old mills, including building foundations, the millrace, and other traces of the mill activity. The site was recognized as historically significant in 2002 when it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The structure stood in ruins in the early 1980s, without a roof, without a use, and destined for demolition. However, the history of the building and the site was recognized by a small handful of civic-minded Newtown residents (Stan Short, Jim Crossan, and Sid and Jan Elston), and through their efforts and those of many other volunteers, the building was acquired by the Township, and then enclosed to protect it from the elements. Over the last 25 years, the building has been restored, inside and out, and now houses a recreated general store from the mid-19th century, and a museum containing artifacts collected and donated by Newtown residents that represent some of the history of the Township and its people. The community efforts to restore the Paper Mill House led to the formation of the Newtown Square Historical (Preservation) Society, and the Society and Newtown Township now maintain the property through a cooperative effort that has made the Paper Mill House a center for educational activity.

More information may be found on the Paper Mill House page of the NSHS website.

When:
2:00 – 4:00 PM, Saturday, 7 June 2025

Where:
Square Tavern
3716 Goshen Rd
Newtown Square, PA 19073
+ XHWR+GV Newtown Square, Pennsylvania

Paper Mill House
2 Paper Mill Rd
Newtown Square, PA 19073
+ 2H8V+JV Newtown Square, Pennsylvania

Phone: 610-975-0290

+ indicates Google Maps Plus Code

To assist us with planning for the event, we ask that participants let us know that they are planning to attend.

Please send email to rsvp@tehistory.org and include your name and how many people will be in your party.

Our tour will start at 2 PM at the Square Tavern. After our guided tour there, we will relocate to the Paper Mill House, about ten minutes away. We will complete our event there.

Square Tavern parking is available just west of the tavern at the nearby Goshen Trail lot on Goshen Road.
+ XHWR+9C Newtown Square, Pennsylvania

Paper Mill House parking is available just north of the house in the marked lot on St. David's Road, on the other side of the bridge crossing Darby Creek. A short trail and a pedstrian bridge leads back to the house from the lot.