Historic House Guests

by Amy L. Webb

A little-known but nationally significant building and park will host a celebration of American Indian history next weekend.

The Native American Heritage Day festival, to be held at the Keith House at Graeme Park in Horsham, opens at noon on Sat., April 24 and runs until dark. It will feature tours of the historic house, while offering visitors an opportunity to experience the living habits of two distinct cultures.

The Keith House was built in 1722 for William Keith, one of the first Colonial governors. The stone edifice, which is listed in the National Register of Historical Places, is part of a 1,700-acre property and the only surviving residence of a Colonial governor.

Though part of the interior has been refurbished, much of the wood paneling crafted in the Georgian style still shows the white paint that was originally used. Many of the wooden floorboards are original. The property, called Fountain Low, was used as a summer residence, and it’s thought that Ben Franklin and Dr. Thomas Graeme were both frequent visitors.

"The Keith House is significant for everyone in this area," says Patty Mousley, Graeme Park site administrator. "How many chances are there to walk inside of an original structure that is 300 years old? Buildings really are living things, and at the same time part of our historical fabric."

Keith was a Scottish immigrant who befriended the area’s Eastern Woodland Tribes. Relics of both cultures are on view at the Keith House and park, which are open year-round.

"The festival is really a celebration of the Native Americans who lived and worked here and the work Keith did," Mousley says. "He arranged meetings between the Iroquois and European Colonials, and was able to keep relative peace in the area for decades."

To honor those ties, the festival will feature live music from American Indian musicians. Members of several tribal organizations will also participate, offering singing and dancing performances. Chief Buffy Red Feather Brown of the Southeastern Cherokee Confederacy will speak about American Indians in this area.

Throughout the day, members of the Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania will display cordage techniques and show guests how to make fishnet. There will also be American Indian cooking demonstrations and discussions of Keith and his work with various tribes.

For more information and a schedule of events, see www.ushistory.org/graeme or call 215-343-0965.