Entertaining Historical Sundays in Tredyffrin-Easttown

The Diamond Rock Schoolhouse

Open Every Sunday until August 27th 2:00-4:00pm

One of the many delights of the Tredyffrin community is that we don't have to pay fees or buy expensive tickets to have enriching and entertaining experiences! A visit to the Diamond Rock Schoolhouse, paired with a hike in one of our community's nature filled conservancies, a stroll through an historical cemetery or a trip through Valley Forge National Park, won't cost you more than the price of your lunch, which we suggest you have at the quaint Cedar Hollow Inn, just a couple of miles down the road from the Diamond Rock Schoolhouse!

Diamond Rock Schoolhouse, otherwise known as the octagonal school house, is a unique historical site in Tredyffrin Township, filled with artifacts and stories of early education in our community. The beautifully restored Diamond Rock Schoolhouse, built in 1818, is devotedly maintained by the Diamond Rock Schoolhouse Preservation Association. The members of the association open the schoolhouse to visitors each Sunday afternoon until August 27, 2:00-4:00pm and are delighted to share their knowledge of the schoolhouse and all of its history with you. The Diamond Rock Schoolhouse is a perfect Sunday afternoon destination for the whole family. Take advantage of the opportunity to visit an historical site that reveals a way of life fifty years before the first public schools! Though donations are welcome at the Diamond Rock Schoolhouse, and there is $20 annual membership available if you are interested in helping to preserve this historical local landmark, you will never be asked to pay a fee to spend time learning a bit about early life and early education in Tredyfrrin Township.

There is so much to do on your way to the schoolhouse!

Take a Walk: Tredyfrrin Township's amazing trails and open spaces gives us a lot to boast about! The Diamond Rock Preserve and the Valley Creek Preserve are both close to the Diamond Rock Schoolhouse. Bring your binoculars and bring your camera! http://openlandconservancy.org/Trail_Maps.html

Who Doesn't Love an Old Cemetery? We have so many beautiful, historical cemeteries in Tredyffrin Township; some tucked away, others that we drive past every day. A particularly beautiful one, rich in our township's history, is that of St. Peter's Church in the Great Valley, off of Church Road. What would become the Church of St. Peter's was started in 1704. St. Peter's is surrounded by beautiful, lush property and is the final resting place for so many of those who helped guide Tredyffrin Township as it grew from a place of wilderness into the wonderful community that it is today. Start your Sunday with a brunch at Cedar Hollow Inn, then take the short drive to St. Peter's Church to wander around the grounds.

Start Where History Started: The Diamond Rock Schoolhouse is just three miles west of Valley Forge National Park. Start at the Visitor Center Park (nps.gov/vafo/planyourvisit/basicinfo.htm) to visit the museum or start your tour of the park. Or, park in the small lot near the Philander Chase Knox Estate (on the west side of the covered bridge), then take a hike up Mt. Misery or walk along Valley Creek. Though not open to the public, you can wander the grounds of Lord Stirling's and General Layfayette's Quarters. You can also walk behind PC Knox Estate to find yourself on the east side of the bridge where you can easily access the trail to Mt. Joy or start on the 5-mile loop, visiting the inner and outer line defenses, redoubts and replica cabins along the way. When you finish at Valley Forge National Park, continue your historical tour by heading west on Yellow Springs Road to visit the Diamond Rock Schoolhouse, which will be open 2-4pm.

Lunch at the Historic Cedar Hollow Inn: Cedar Hollow Inn, two miles west of the Diamond Rock Schoolhouse, serves up one of the best brunches/lunches you'll find. Cedar Hollow Inn is a city quality restaurant tucked away in our lovely little corner of Tredryffrin Township. Cedar Hollow Inn's beautiful rustic building was first constructed in the mid-1800s. It boasts a sunny porch, a creative menu and a cozy, neighborhood feel. A wonderful lunch at Cedar Hollow Inn, followed by a visit to the Diamond Rock Schoolhouse, are a perfect combination for locals and guests alike!

Wharton Esherick Museum: Tredyffrin Township has a wonderful history of art too, so add the Wharton Esherick Museum, just a mile up the road from the Diamond Rock Schoolhouse to your Diamond Rock Schoolhouse day! The studio and furnishings of the craftsman-artist Wharton Esherick (1887–1970), reflect Esherick's evolving sculptural style from Arts and Crafts, to German Expressionism, and the free form Modernist curves that marked Esherick's later work. Tours are by reservation only, so plan it for a Sunday afternoon to the Diamond Rock Schoolhouse. For more information go to: http://www.whartonesherickmuseum.org/visit.html

The Diamond Rock Schoolhouse will be open every Sunday 2-4pm until August 27, 2017. Small group tours can be arranged. For more information please go to our website: http://www.diamondrockschool.org/id2.html.

Parking is available along Yellow Springs Road, including the underpass just beyond Diamond Rock Road.