In 1926, the Morrisville School Board faced a difficult decision: demolish the historic Summerseat mansion, a significant national shrine, writes Carl LaVO for the Bucks County Courier Times.  

Summerseat wasn’t just any historical site; it was the former home of Declaration of Independence signers, including financier of the American Revolution, Robert Morris. 

More notably, it was there that George Washington conceived his daring plan to cross the Delaware River on Christmas 1776, a pivotal moment in American history. 

The mayor of Morrisville in 1926, Thomas Stockham, fervently campaigned against the demolition. In his speech, he implored the school district to preserve this “hallowed place,” stressing Summerseat’s historical lineage dating back to 1678 and its role in the Revolution. 

His efforts paid off. The school board halted the demolition plans, and Summerseat was eventually restored to become the district’s administrative headquarters. 

Decades later, the responsibility of preserving Summerseat fell to the Morrisville Historical Society. Despite challenges, efforts to maintain and showcase this historical gem continue.  

Read more about the Summerseat Mansion in Morrisville in the Bucks County Courier Times.  

History of Summerseat | Joe Doyle