Built in the early 1700's by the Baldwin family, the Ashbridge House is one of the earliest structures existing in Chester County. When Sarah Downing, daughter of Thomas Downing of Downingtown, married Joshua Baldwin, her father enlarged the house as a wedding present. The house remained in the family, now joined with the Sharpless and Ashbridge families, until 1953.

A kitchen was added in 1755 and an adjoining family dwelling in 1810. The house is the only building of historical significance left in the area of rapid commercial development on Lancaster Avenue. A double home, the dwelling is constructed of stone quarried nearby, with two living rooms, two kitchens with walk-in fireplaces, for a total of nine fireplaces with a summer kitchen and oven as a one-story extension.

The Downingtown Area Historical Society took title to the Ashbridge House in December 1999 with the goal of preserving the structure, restoring it and using the house as the Society's home. The society is working with the developers of Ashbridge Square, Downingtown Borough and East Caln Township to ensure that the building is preserved and interpreted for future generations of Chester County residents

Our goal is to raise $1,000,000 for restoration, up keep, and operation of the Ashbridge House. If you would like to make a tax deductible donation to the society for the house, you may make a check out to the Downingtown Area Historical Society and send it to us at P.O. Box 9, Downingtown, PA 19335.

If you would like more information on the Ashbridge House feel free to email us.

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Interior - June 17, 2000