The Collen Brook Farm

    On a flowing creek, nestled among several acres of natural beauty, stands a charming 18th Century farmhouse, "Collen Brook." The site rests at the end of a shady lane off Mansion Road at Marvine Avenue in Drexel Hill, a part of Upper Darby Township, Pennsylvania.

    In 1692, Ralph Lewis, a Welsh Quaker immigrant and a sawmill owner, purchased 150 acres of land on the east bank of the Collen Brook, a tributary of Darby Creek. He left the land to his son, Abraham, who built a house and kitchen circa 1710. A stone structure was added to the home in 1794 by Abraham III, the former Abraham's grandson. The older building was later enlarged to its current size of 2 ½ stories.

    Abraham Lewis III was the last male descendant of the Lewis family to live at the Collen Brook Farm. His daughter, Mary, inherited the land upon her mother's death in October of 1820, eight months after her marriage to Dr. George Smith. (For more detailed information on Dr. Smith's life, refer to the biography on this famous Pennsylvanian featured elsewhere on this web site.) Both Mary and George inherited property from their families. These legacies enabled Dr. Smith to relinquish most of his medical practice as he had now become one of the major landowners in southeastern Pennsylvania. At the time of his death in 1881, Dr. Smith owned 1,100 acres of land in Delaware County.

    After moving into Collen Brook, Dr. Smith devoted himself to science, farming and education. He made a few final changes to his home around 1830 when he added dormer windows and a bathroom on the second floor of the west side. During the 1830's, he was one of the most prominent citizens living in Delaware County. A true renaissance man, he acquired many titles: physician, legislator, botanist, farmer, educator, geologist, historian and Judge of the Courts of Delaware County. He was one of the five founders of the Delaware County Institute of Science and was instrumental in moving the county seat to Media. His book, The History of Delaware County, written in 1862, still occupies an important place in area schools and libraries. This life-long member of the Society of Friends worshipped at the Haverford Friends' Meeting House where he and his wife are buried.

    Dr. Smith will be remembered for his part in establishing public schools in our state. While chairmen of the Pennsylvania Senate Committee on Education, Dr. Smith authored the School Act of 1836, which put the previous School Act of 1834 in working order and established the required ages for attendance. His efforts allowed Upper Darby to become the first school district in the Keystone state. For twenty-five years he presided over the Upper Darby School board as its first president. He also acquired the position of chairman with the Delaware County Board of Education.

    Collen Brook Farm is an excellent example of an 18th Century farmhouse. Each prominent room in the house has a paneled fireplace. An attractive hand-carved English wooden mantle adorns the fireplace in the sitting room. Now part of the caretaker's quarters, the kitchen features an embedded window in a walk-in fireplace used for cooking purposes. While the wife prepared meals over the hearth, she could watch for her husband's arrival from the fields. During the recent restoration, a well (4' wide by 15' deep) was discovered under the kitchen floor. In keeping with the Quaker tradition, the house has a large dining room for family gatherings. The wide central hall possesses a graceful staircase with a window at the landing. Most of the exterior walls were stoutly constructed with stonework 18" thick. A root cellar, once used for storing food, exists under the dining room.

    Portions of the original carriage house and farms are still present, enhancing the beauty of the setting. The homestead reflects the affluence of notable Quaker settlers. There were several spring-houses on the property, one of which, dating from 1782, remains across the brook behind the mansion.

    In December of 1928, at the age of 20, Katherine H. Hepburn, the Hollywood legend and award-winning actress, married Ludlow Ogden Smith, a great-grandson of Dr. George Smith. The couple made frequent visits to the home. Although beyond the age of 90 when Collen Brook was opened to the public, Ms. Hepburn lent her support to the event.

    During the 1930's, 300 head of cattle roamed the farm and produce was still grown on the property. In 1932, in keeping with Dr. Smith's wishes, the land where Aronimink School now stands was sold to Upper Darby School District for the purpose of advancing state education. During the 1930's, 40's, and 50's much of the farm land was sold for development.

    Between the brook and the house there rises a bur oak tree between 300 to 350 years old. This majestic giant has been registered with the Pennsylvania Tree Committee as a Champion Big Tree of Pennsylvania. At the time when William Penn claimed this territory this colossal monolith was only a sapling.

    A distinguished landmark from our nation's agrarian past, the Collen Brook Farm now encompasses more than eight acres of open space. Collen Brook has also been honored with a listing on the National Register of Historic Places. Furthermore, this site is one of the few properties in Pennsylvania to have remained in the possession of direct descendants for nearly 300 years. Through the generosity of the Smith family, Upper Darby Township acquired the home in 1989 as a living heritage for all to enjoy.

    The porch was restored and dedicated in 1994. The west end of the house was restored for the use of caretaker quarters in 1996. In June of 1997, the portion of the house built in 1794 was opened to the public. L. Cheyney smith, Jr., great-great-grandson of Dr. George Smith, was in attendance at both the porch dedication and for the opening of the house. The township contracted with the Upper Darby Historical Society to conduct research, obtain furnishings, and interpret the property for the public.