Living History Center Has Strong Opening Sunday

TREDYFFRIN TWP. — The opening of Jones Log Barn Living History Center featuring the restoration of early American Welsh architecture caught the attention of volunteers with the Welsh North American Association.

Catrin Brace, special projects coordinator, was among the more than 100 guests attending a ribbon cutting ceremony of the 20-year project spearheaded by the Tredyffrin Historic Preservation Trust.

As the guests began touring the barn, Brace notified Pattye Benson, president of the trust, that the museum would be an excellent feature for the festival from Aug. 31 to Sept. 4 at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Philadelphia.

“This is brilliant,” Brace said, of the restoration of the barn containing collections of original farm equipment from the 1700s. “I love it.”

The festival is an annual gathering of Welsh descendants in the United States and Canada. It began in 1929, and is held in different locations in the United States and Canada every year.

Tredyffrin translates from Welsh to “town in the valley.” In 1684, William Penn designated the area that became Tredyffrin Township for Welsh settlers.

Brace and Gerri Baker Parry, systems coordinator for the Wales festival, said they hope to feature the museum as part of the Festival of Wales.

Benson said she was pleased with the turnout and happy to have the living history center featured in a festival.

The Tredyffrin Historic Preservation Board of Directors cut the red ribbon and welcomed the guests to tour the barn filled with artifacts, tools and descriptions of early settlers in Tredyffrin Township.

Guest speakers at the opening included Stacey Ballard, president of Eadeh Enterprises; State Rep. Melissa L. Shusterman, a Chester County Democrat; Marian Moskowitz, chairwoman of the Chester County commissioners; Dr. Julie Gosse, chairwoman of the Tredyffrin Township supervisors; and Benson.

Several guests provided suggestions for future events at the barn, including a live animal farm event, and meeting of area farmers.

The center is open from 1 to 3 p.m. on Sundays in April through October.