EXPLORE HISTORIC UPPER BUCKS

See history come to life in Upper Bucks County! The county's northernmost region is not only filled with rolling hills, wide open countryside and beautiful scenery, it's also home to an abundance of historic sites, Inns, theaters, museums and restaurants. Check out any of these locations to learn more about the history and culture of this one-of-a-kind area!

• Start at the Erwin-Stover House. Built by William Erwin and the Erwin family, the house was part of the original land grant given to William Penn by King Charles II of England. A portion of the house was constructed in Federal architectural style in 1800. Today, the 126 acres make up Bucks County's first public park. The house serves as a beautiful example of mixing two architectural styles, and the 1850s era barn is still used for events. 

• Less than half an hour to the west of Erwinna is the Stokes House. This 19th century stone farmhouse sits nearly a quarter mile down a gravel lane. Offering a rare peek into the area's more rural past, the homestead was once accompanied by many outbuildings, barns and even included a pottery kiln. This beloved landmark still rests along the edge of Towhee Park, overlooking beautiful Lake Towhee.

• Head over to Quakertown, a town first settled by English Quakers in the 1700s. Today, the town is rich with the history of its early inhabitants. You'll quickly find that the area is full of historic buildings like Liberty Hall, the temporary hiding place of the Liberty Bell during the Revolutionary War. Not far up the road is McCoole's Historic Red Lion Inn, Quakertown's oldest inn. When the Liberty Bell was whisked away from Philadelphia and stored at Liberty Hall, the group hiding the bell stayed here overnight. Today, McCoole's still serves up a fine dining experience for a casual dining budget. Also in town is the Quakertown Train Station, built in 1902 by the North Pennsylvania Railroad. Before you leave, stop and do some shopping at Quakertown Farmers Market and Flea Market, a tradition since 1932 when it first opened. Offering more than 150 unique farmers market departments, 120 indoor vendors, 450 outdoor vendors, the Quakertown Market provides one stop shopping with that old-fashioned feeling!

• Head a little further south to Sellersville, where two historic landmarks await. Sitting side by side, the Washington House Restaurant & Hotel and Sellersville Theater have long, rich histories. Over 200 years ago, the Washington House was a small farmhouse built on land deeded from William Penn. Because of the building's importance in the founding of Sellersville, the property is included in the Pennsylvania Inventory of Historic Homes. Its neighbor, the Sellersville Theater, has a history closely linked to its own. Built in 1894 as a brick livery stable, the building was later transformed into a storage garage for automobiles and food delivery trucks, and finally converted to the Selvil Theater cinema in 1950. Today, it plays host to musical and other talent acts from around the world.

• Only about a 15 minute drive from Sellersville is the Pearl S. Buck House and Historic Site. Known for her book, The Good Earth, the Pulitzer and Nobel Prize winning author spent the first 40 years of her life in China and the remaining 40 years living right here in Bucks County. Today, the author's 1825 farmhouse remains intact on its beautiful 68 acre estate. You can visit this National Historic Landmark for a tour and to see the gift shop, cultural center, gardens and seasonal exhibits. While you're traveling to the next destination, the Plumsteadville Inn provides a cozy place to spend the night. Originally built in 1751 and since been restored, the "Plum" has kept the charm and atmosphere of the old and married it with a new family-inspired menu and amenities.