Lower Swedish Cabin
Historic house in Pennsylvania, United States From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Lower Swedish Cabin is a historic Swedish-style log cabin which is located on Creek Road in the Drexel Hill section of Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, along Darby Creek. The cabin may be one of the oldest log cabins in the United States and is one of the last cabins built by the Swedish settlers that remains intact.[3]
Lower Swedish Cabin | |
 Lower Swedish Cabin, November 2009 | |
   | |
| Location | Drexel Hill, Upper Darby Township, Pennsylvania |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 39°56′17.78″N 75°18′04.75″W |
| Area | 1.7 acres (0.69 ha) |
| Built | 1640–1650 |
| Architectural style | Swedish Plan |
| NRHP reference No. | 80003484[1] |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | June 9, 1980 |
| Designated PHMC | October 21, 1989[2] |
The house was likely built sometime between 1640 and 1650 by Swedish/Finnish immigrants who were part of the New Sweden colony.[4] During the early 1900s, film pioneer Siegmund Lubin filmed several movies at the site. Despite this being disputed,[5] several local residents have evidence of being used as extras. The filming became such a distraction to the workers of the nearby mill, that the owner filed for an injunction to prevent Lubin filming during work hours.
The house served as a private residence until 1937, when it was recorded by the Historic American Buildings Survey. In 1941, the cabin became the property of the township of Upper Darby.[6]
Afterwards, it was offered to local Girl Scouts who used it as a campsite for several years. Then, a series of Township-appointed tenants lived there until 1964. A partial attempt to fix-up the house was done for the Bicentennial in 1976. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places[1] in 1982.
A full historical restoration and archeological excavation were completed in 1989. The site is now cared for by the Friends of the Swedish Cabin.
It may be visited from April through October, on Sundays from 1 - 4 pm. Admission is free. Donations are accepted.
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