Strassburger Homestead

​The history of all properties in Bucks County go back to the time of the Lenni Lenape Indians, however, let us learn about this site since the red brick building was built around 1830. At that time, it was owned by Jacob Hartzel. Prior to that, it was a much larger plot of land, but by the time Rueben and Elizabeth Schwenk Strassburger purchased it in 1848, it contained 42 acres.       Rueben was not a farmer, but a merchant and business man, so he had an addition put on the building to house his store. This new store had a double door facing the busy Bethlehem Pike, a main thoroughfare in the 19th century. His was a fine General Store, also selling clothing that his brother, a tailor made. Some of his original store displays remain. Many times, history is not something that can be proven as fact. We have heard that at times, a portion of the store was a shoe shop, while another story says that this building once housed a tavern for travelers. 

​Also, over almost 200 years, the use of rooms change. Downstairs in addition to the store, we have a kitchen, parlor, dining room and a living room. A summer kitchen, original to the 1830 house is connected by a covered walkway. Upstairs consists of 6 rooms. No doubt bedrooms for the family and storage for the General Store. The Strassburgers had five children living with them, as well as two women domestic servants.​ ​

Summer kitchen

Now, the rooms in the homestead are furnished much like it might have been in the mid-19th century. The summer kitchen looks like it is ready to have a meal prepared. On display are some beautiful examples depicting the lifestyles of Strassburger’s era. ​

This past summer, we received grant money from Quakertown National Bank, as well as funding from individuals to replace the front porch flooring on our homestead. Quite a task. We found a few old artifacts underneath the porch. Although the replaced boards were not that old, some of the original joists dated back to around 1830. We thank Welbourne Building Design Company for their professional advice and Tinsman Lumber Company for their assistance. The product we used was 1x4 tongue in groove Douglas Fir.  Come check it out during your next visit!