Whitemarsh Township Has Purchased An Easement On The Historical Highlands Mansion Property

WHITEMARSH, PA — Township officials have announced that they closed on the purchase of a conservation easement on the 28-acre Highlands Mansion and Gardens property, the acquisition part of an overall plan to preserve the historic grounds that date back to the 1700s.

Whitemarsh Township purchased the easement from the Highlands Historical Society, with funds from the sale being used by the historical society for improvements to the historic mansion and gardens at the property, according to local officials.

The 28 acres on the property includes the fields and woodlands surrounding the mansion itself, which is an 18th Century Georgian building that has since been open to hosting events like weddings and offering public tours to those interested in local history.

The mansion was built by Philadelphian Anthony Morris, who sought to construct a refuge for his family to help escape the yellow fever epidemic that was sweeping the area at the time, according to a history of the property on the Highlands website.

The elaborate country estate was completed in 1796.

The Highlands Historical Society, which is operated under a board of trustees, formed in 1975 to preserve and restore the historic property.

Last year, Patch reported on historic preservation legislation to benefit the Highlands.