Philadelphia Historical Commission has added the Byberry Store located in far Northeast Philadelphia near Bucks County to the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places, writes Kimberly Haas for the Hidden City.

The structure was constructed circa 1810 and has since served as a general store, post office, blacksmith shop, and dwelling.

The nomination for the building said that, along with the neighboring Byberry Meetinghouse and Byberry Hall, the structure played a pivotal role in the life of the rural community.

As a community, Byberry also has a significant abolitionist movement-related history, including the activities that took place in the home of Robert Purvis.

While all the stakeholders, including the nominator, owner, staff, and commissioners, easily agreed to designate the building as a historic site, the larger parcel caused extensive discussions due to possible archaeological finds within the larger parcel.

While some were hoping to add the 12965 Townsend Road to the register under Criterion I (have yielded, or may be likely to yield, information important in prehistory or history) it was added to the Philadelphia register under Criterion J (exemplify the cultural, political, economic, social, or historical heritage of the community) only.

Read more about the Byberry Store in the Hidden City.

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