The renovated Rose Tree Tavern in Rose Tree Park.

"18th century tavern welcomes 21st century guests: Rose Tree Tavern opens doors as Brandywine Conference and Visitors Bureau on May 26th

The Rose Tree Tavern renovation was years in the making and countless motorists have watched the project as they drove through the intersection. The tavern was purchased by Delaware County in 1967 and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. In August, 2004, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation paid for the relocation of the tavern, 200 feet back from the road, as the first step in a redesign of the crossroads. Last summer, County Council awarded five prime contracts to cover the renovation, from design and electrical work to plumbing and fire protection. The $1.7 million renovation was funded through the 3 percent hotel occupancy tax, which funds the BCVB. Public Works Director Dennis Carey said the renovation of the building retained as much of the original structure as possible, including the fieldstone walls and fireplaces, one framed with tiles that depict a stag hunt. However, the building now has a geothermal mechanical system, energy-efficient lighting, an internal sprinkler system and handicapped accessibility Other improvements include a paved walkway on the perimeter of the property on Rose Tree and Providence roads. There is a 1739 datestone on the western gable of the building, but that is likely from an earlier building. The original frame building from 1739 became dilapidated and was torn down and replaced with a fieldstone building in 1809, followed by another stone addition in 1836. As part of the opening ceremony, a Colonial-garbed Maury Hutelmyer of Springfield provided a brief history of the Rose Tree Tavern. Hutelmyer is volunteer coordinator of the Colonial Pennsylvania Plantation, a living history museum that recreates a working 18th century farm in nearby Ridley Creek State Park. Hutelmyer explained that 700 acres of land in Providence Township (what is now Upper Providence) was given by William Penn to John Calvert in 1683. Records show a long list of sales and various owners through the years including Moses Palmer, Isaac Cochran, George Cummins and George Darlington. It was David Calvert who applied for a liquor license and secured one upon his third request in 1739. He petitioned the governor to open a “publick house of entertainment for the selling of wine, brandy, rum, beer, syder and other strong liquors.” The tavern was originally called “Three Thons” in 1770, and “Red Lion” in 1802. In 1805, Moses Palmer changed the name to “Rose Tree Tavern,” trying to overcome a negative reputation gained by the “Red Lion.” In 1835, a Delaware County temperance society was organized and the tavern served as a temperance house. In 1837, according to records, the house was licensed to the organizers of the Rose Tree Fox Hunting Club. In 1922, the farm was sold to Charles Leedom. It was his wife who conveyed the premises to the Delaware County commissioners in 1967

The Rose Tree Tavern now serves as the headquarters of the Brandywine Conference and Visitors Bureau (BCVB), providing County residents and visitors with information on the County’s historical, cultural and recreational resources.