Horsham Renews Commitment to Preserve History

A nonprofit Horsham-based preservation organization that stepped in as caretakers of a 200-year-old home, in essence saving it from demolition, will continue those preservation efforts for at least the next 15 years.

The Horsham Township Council this week approved an additional 15-year lease agreement with the Horsham Preservation and Historical Association for the Penrose-Strawbridge house. The circa 1810 house is situated adjacent to Graeme Park on Governor Road.

For the last decade, Horsham residents Peter and Margaret Choate–founders of HPHA–have lived in the home as its caretaker, paying Horsham $1 a year for the home and 103 acres gifted to the township in 1996.

In 2004, HPHA signed a 25-year lease with the township related to the property. Language in the agreement stated that after the first initial 10 years HPHA had to notify the township if it wanted to continue for another 15 years, according to Horsham Township Manager Bill Walker.  

"After 10 years, HPHA expressed our desire to continue our work," Horsham Preservation and Historical Association Executive Director Peter Choate said. "Our intention is to eventually open a museum dedicated to Horsham’s history."