Idlewild Farm Complex
Encyclopedia
The Idlewild Farm Complex is a 26 acre (10.5 hectare) plot of land in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. It was originally part of the Welsh Tract and is now a portion of the Bridlewild Trails Association.
and walk-in fireplace for help with cooking. Over the next 14 years, Lloyd had eight kids and tended to the farm. However, in 1714, Robert Lloyd died.
Lloyd's wife, Lowry Lloyd, soon remarried. Her new husband added a new portion to the house in 1717 and a wooden barn was built.
The Farm changed hands a few times over the next century. Along with the change of ownership, the barn was rebuilt to stone in 1825, the two portions of the farmhouse were connected in 1825, and a wagon house was added (1827). Eventually the farm was bought by John Williamson (for whom Williamson Road, where the farm currently sits, is named.) He added a springhouse (1860) at the base of the hill, used both as a cool place to store food and a water source. Upon his death in 1864, the farm was partitioned between his two sons, Garret and Samuel Williamson. Garret sold his share back to Samuel, who over the next few years added a carriage house, milkhouse, bull pen, and horse stable.
Lawrence Saunders, who had married Dorothy Love in 1924, moved onto the farm and began to work the dairy produce. In 1927, Lawrence began the Bridlewild Trails Association on Farm property. He also formed in 1951 the Saunder's Foundation to maintain a plot called Saunder's Woods, which he had bought in 1922. In 1968, Lawrence Saunders died, leaving the farm to his estate. Dorothy Saunders, his widow, bought the farm from his estae, along with 26 acres (105,218.4 m²). She wrote poetry, worked the farm, and enjoyed farm life. A book of poetry, titled "Unbroken Time" was written at Idlewild and published in 1982.
for Pennsylvania. Mrs. Saunders gave both Saunder's Woods and 21 acres (84,984.1 m²) of Idlewild to Natural Lands Trust
, a nonprofit organization dedicated to land preservation and stewardship in southeastern PA and southern NJ. With Mrs. Saunder's aging, she sold the house and moved to a retirement home. She died in 1992 having performed her goal of leaving land for many people to use as they please.
Early Times
In 1698, Welsh farmer Robert Lloyd was deeded 400 acres (161.8 hectares) of land near "the road leading through the Black Rocks" now known as Black Rock Road. In 1700, Lloyd built a one room with loft house on the property, complete with beehive ovenBeehive oven
A beehive oven is an early type of oven. It gets its name from its domed shape, which resembles that of an old-fashioned beehive, and was in common use in the Americas and Europe from the Middle Ages to the advent of the gas and electric ovens. Beehive ovens were common in households used for...
and walk-in fireplace for help with cooking. Over the next 14 years, Lloyd had eight kids and tended to the farm. However, in 1714, Robert Lloyd died.
Lloyd's wife, Lowry Lloyd, soon remarried. Her new husband added a new portion to the house in 1717 and a wooden barn was built.
The Farm changed hands a few times over the next century. Along with the change of ownership, the barn was rebuilt to stone in 1825, the two portions of the farmhouse were connected in 1825, and a wagon house was added (1827). Eventually the farm was bought by John Williamson (for whom Williamson Road, where the farm currently sits, is named.) He added a springhouse (1860) at the base of the hill, used both as a cool place to store food and a water source. Upon his death in 1864, the farm was partitioned between his two sons, Garret and Samuel Williamson. Garret sold his share back to Samuel, who over the next few years added a carriage house, milkhouse, bull pen, and horse stable.
Saunders Times
In 1897, Frances Saunders (wife of medical publisher Walter Saunders) bought what was Idylwild Farm from Samuel Williamson. She bought only 87 of the remaining 104 acre (0.42087344 km²) of the farm. Around 1900, the farm was changed from a crop and horse farm to a dairy farm, using Ayrshire cows. Although they had a house in Overbrook, the Saunders wanted a place to work and play during the summer months (for example, they dug a pool in 1924, which is still there today). Mrs. Saunders bought neighboring properties, increasing the size of the farm to 167 acre (0.67582562 km²), and tried to keep most of the buildings as original as possible. Although going deaf, she continued to work the farm until Walter deeded it over to his children, Lawrence and Emily, in 1927.Lawrence Saunders, who had married Dorothy Love in 1924, moved onto the farm and began to work the dairy produce. In 1927, Lawrence began the Bridlewild Trails Association on Farm property. He also formed in 1951 the Saunder's Foundation to maintain a plot called Saunder's Woods, which he had bought in 1922. In 1968, Lawrence Saunders died, leaving the farm to his estate. Dorothy Saunders, his widow, bought the farm from his estae, along with 26 acres (105,218.4 m²). She wrote poetry, worked the farm, and enjoyed farm life. A book of poetry, titled "Unbroken Time" was written at Idlewild and published in 1982.
Natural Lands Trust
In 1983 Idlewild Farm was entered on the National Register of Historic PlacesNational Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
for Pennsylvania. Mrs. Saunders gave both Saunder's Woods and 21 acres (84,984.1 m²) of Idlewild to Natural Lands Trust
Natural Lands Trust
The Natural Lands Trust, headquartered in Media, Pennsylvania, is one of the oldest regional land conservation groups in the United States. Founded by a group of avid bird-watchers in 1953, as the Philadelphia Conservationists, the Trust works in the suburban counties near Philadelphia to the...
, a nonprofit organization dedicated to land preservation and stewardship in southeastern PA and southern NJ. With Mrs. Saunder's aging, she sold the house and moved to a retirement home. She died in 1992 having performed her goal of leaving land for many people to use as they please.