Acquisition Of Historic Montco Property Formally Completed

WHITEMARSH, PA — A historic property in this eastern Montgomery County community that was once a stop along the Underground Railroad is one step closer to being preserved in perpetuity.

Whitemarsh Township officials and the Whitemarsh Art Center on Thursday formally completed the acquisition of a piece of land known as the Corson Tract, a 10.45-acre parcel off of Butler Pike that is home to Abolition Hall, the Hovenden House and the Corson Homestead, all listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Marple Lane House, another old structure, is also included in the parcel.

Whitemarsh Township and the art center paid $3.95 million for the property with $2 million from that figure coming through a private grant from The Karabots Foundation, an organization named for late, local philanthropist Nicholas Karabots and his wife, Athena.

"This is a landmark moment for our community and the entire region," Whitemarsh Board of Supervisors Chair Laura Boyle-Nester said in a statement. "Abolition Hall, the Hovenden House and the Corson Homestead are significant pieces of our history and we are ecstatic that we have protected them for future generations."

After initially being kept secret, The Karabots Foundation was outed this summer as the group behind the private, multi-million-dollar donation.

Related: Private Donor Grant For Historic Montco Property Approved By Township

The township and art center had entered an agreement of sale with the former property owner back in April 2021, and The Karabots Foundation subsequently came forward to offer a donation.

The Karabots were known for their dedication to local history.

"On behalf of the Whitemarsh community, we thank the Karabots Foundation for its incredible generosity," Boyle-Nester said in her statement. "Without the support of Mr. and Mrs. Karabots, the preservation of this important property would not have been possible."

The 10-plus-acre property contains buildings dating back to the 1700s.

Abolition Hall, which is part of the property, was built in the mid-1850s by George Carson, a famous abolitionist during slavery times.

Well-known abolitionists such as Frederick Douglas, Harriet Beecher Stowe and William Lloyd Garrison spoke at the property, according to Whitemarsh Township.

The Whitemarsh Art Center said it was pleased with the acquisition since it had been searching for a new home for some time in which to offer day and evening programming for both children and adults.

"The Karabots Foundation and the Township have created a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to preserve history and extend educational opportunities for the community," Whitemarsh Art Center Board of Directors President Dan Zuena said in a statement.