The John Chads Springhouse

It is believed that this banked building - The John Chads' Springhouse - with a sleeping loft, was built before the banked house across the road (The John Chads' House). Perhaps it was where John and the stone masons - including John Wyeth, Jr. (no relation to the Wyeth family of artists celebrated at the Brandywine River Museum) - lived before the house was finished. (John Chads didn't marry until 1729 - Elizabeth Richardson).

We do know that the springhouse was used as a tenant house and that it served as a school in the first half of the 19th century. The great grandfather of one of the Historical Society's members went to school here from 1837 to 1844. William Heyburn Seal's original copybooks have been given to the Historical Society by Anna Seal Schlosser; copies of the books are on display in the springhouse for visitors to peruse.

Of special architectural interest in the springhouse is the brick-faced corner fireplace which may have originally had a wooden mantelpiece. It is similar to the two corner fireplaces in the house on the hill. All three have recessed double cupboards above the mantel, for display and storage.

One corner of the springhouse is believed to have been damaged by artillery fire during the Battle of Brandywine, September 11, 1777.

To the right of the springhouse is the 18th century kitchen garden maintained by The Friends of the Chads House. A stone path diagonally crosses the garden where tansy, sorrel, oregano, rosemary, chives, yarrow, and sage grow.

More images of the Springhouse:

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