Save Moore-Irwin

WHAT IS MOORE-IRWIN?
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Moore-Irwin is a multi-part mansion owned by Upper Merion Township that is eligible for the National Register. It is located at 700 Moore Road, King of Prussia, PA, but is most easily seen on Eighth Avenue from the parking lot between American Heritage Federal Credit Union and Wills Eye. It was originally built by the Moores, a Quaker family, as late as 1810, but possibly as early as 1750. The township acquired the house and the surrounding 4.8 acres in 1972. It is surrounded by the beautiful Silas Burgess Arboretum, recently restored by the efforts of the Upper Merion Shade Tree Commission.
-Open the house’s location in Google Maps in a new window.

WHAT MAKES THE HOUSE HISTORIC?
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The house is eligible for the National Register. In the 20th century, the house was owned by Alexander Dickson Irwin, a wealthy Philadelphian. In 1932 and again in 1945, Irwin hired renowned Colonial Revival architect R. Brognard Okie to expand and renovate the house. Previously, Okie had been the man chosen to reconstruct William Penn’s house, Pennsbury Manor, from only the foundation based solely on historical records. He also worked on the restoration of the Betsy Ross house in Philadelphia. Okie’s work on colonial era houses is now recognized as historically significant because of his respect for the original construction and careful attention to detail. It is Okie’s mark on the house that makes the house eligible for the National Register.
– Open a pdf in a new window with more information about the history of the house during the 20th century.
– Open a pdf in a new window with more information about Okie and his mark on the house.

WHAT MAKES THE HOUSE POTENTIALLY EVEN MORE HISTORIC?
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Sources such as Woodman’s History of Valley Forge and the Davis Map indicate that the Moore’s house functioned as the quarters for General Muhlenberg during the encampment. Moreover, George Washington in his diary for July 31, 1787 says that he travelled to visit Jane Moore near Valley Forge. However, we know from tax documents that at that time of these events, the house owned by the Moore family would have been a one story log dwelling. On the other hand, we have discovered several lines of evidence that indicate that the original log dwelling was incorporated into the current house. We believe that the fireplace wall was a shared wall between the extant 1810 structure and the original log dwelling built circa 1750, however more evidence would have to be gathered to make the case. We have raised approximately $1,000 on GoFundMe toward funding a dendrochronology study of the wood in that wall to ascertain its age. A dendrochronology study could cost as much as four times that amount, however. We have further uncovered the amazing story of Augustus Tanksley – an African American who worked at the house for about two decades but who at the same time was pivotal in bringing the sport of golf to the Black community in Philadelphia. He founded Fairview Golf Association, the first of its kind open to African Americans in Philadelphia, and one of the first in the nation.
– Open our issue of the Gazette with the early history of the house, including the evidence for the original log dwelling being incorporated.

WHY IS THE HOUSE IN DANGER?
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Unfortunately, since ownership of the house passed to the township in 1972, very little has been done to prevent the house from falling into decay. Boards of Supervisors from both parties for decades have not put any substantial money into preserving the house for the future. At the very least, the house is in danger of “demolition by neglect.” It is also possible that an argument may soon be made that the house is too unsafe to be allowed to continue standing.

HOW MUCH WILL SAVING THE HOUSE COST?
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The most recent structural report we have on the house was done by Murray Associates in 2021. At that time, the estimate to stabilize the structure was $200,000 to $275,000. To completely restore the house to usable condition would cost a further $3,325,000 to $3,650,000, most of which could come from grant money at the state and federal level. For comparison, the estimated total cost of the Moore Road Multimodal Trail & Linear Park, which is strongly supported by the township, is $8,204,700, according to the concept study published in 2023 (p. 54) with the bulk of that cost also coming from grant money. Incidentally, that trail would allow many people in the township to walk to Moore-Irwin. But the figures for Moore-Irwin may be high. We are working with a preservation architect with over 30 years experience who believes that the actual cost could be much lower. We hope to get the township’s permission to have him and contractors he has worked with in the past walk through the building to get a better idea.
– Open the Murray Associates Structural Study in a new window.
– Open the Moore Road Multimodal Trail Concept Study in a new window.

BUT WHAT WOULD WE BE SAVING THE HOUSE FOR?
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The house could become a focal point for Upper Merion’s history. The unparalleled economic success of Upper Merion, starting in the 1950s, has been a boon, but has also meant that almost all of our historic structures have been lost. Here we have a chance to save a part of our history that is already owned by us – the people of the township – so that future generations can enjoy it and learn from it. The King of Prussia Historical Society would gladly work with the Upper Merion Township Historical Commission to create a museum there. But the house should also generate income for its own upkeep. Toward that end, we have identified at least one business that would gladly use the house as an event venue, as the size of the house fits the need in their industry for medium to smaller sized venues. As an historic event venue, Moore-Irwin would be highly desirable given its bucolic surroundings. There are several successful examples close by, such as the Philander Chase Knox House in Valley Forge Park and the Appleford Estate in Lower Merion.
– Open a new window with information about the Philander Chase Knox Estate as an event venue.
– Open a new window with information about Appleford Estates in Lower Merion.

MOORE-IRWIN AS A FOCAL POINT FOR AMERICA 250
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The effort to save Moore Irwin could become the centerpiece of the township’s America 250 celebration. The alternative is the ignominious admission that while we toast our country’s historic birthday, we are allowing the one piece of our history that we could save crumble away.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?
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There are several ways to help. The township needs to know that there is support for saving the house. Signing the online petition, spreading the word, sending a message to the supervisors, putting out a lawn sign – all would help.
– Open the petition at Change.org to save Moore-Irwin.
– email us at info@kophistory.org for a lawn sign.