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Normandy Farm is located in the heart of Whitpain Township in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. The property has been entered into the National Register of Historic Places, which is kept by the United States Department of the Interior, and is the official list of the nation’s cultural resources worthy of preservation. It includes properties significant in American history, architecture, archeology, engineering and culture. These resources contribute to an understanding of the historical and cultural foundations of the nation.
Normandy Farm is well known to many by the massive barn and its three silos that peer over the red and white structure’s metallic roof. The white wall of stucco-covered stone, with its distinctive peaked gates, has surrounded the property for over 75 years, adding to the seclusion and mystique of this historic American landmark. Behind this wall lies something very impressive but rarely seen up close. We invite you to read about the history of the property, the barn, and its heritage as a landmark in American engineering and culture.
Levering | 1730 – 1873
The history of the property on which the barn and surrounding farm complex stands dates back to the early 18th century, when in 1730, it was purchased by Jacob Levering. Levering eventually passed the property on to his daughter Catherine and her husband Jacob Heist. Around 1834, Jacob and Catherine Heist built the “Franklin House”, a tavern that offered food and lodging to travelers on the newly constructed road between Norristown and Doylestown. That historic tavern is believed to form the core of what became the main house, which sits at the corner of what is now Route 202 and Morris Road.
Singerly | 1873 – 1898
The land did not become recognized as an influential farm until after 1873, when Mr. William Singerly, a prominent business man from Philadelphia, bought the property. At 68 acres, the land was used by Mr. Singerly as his country retreat. In 1875, Mr. Singerly built the immense barn, which still stands today and remains one of the most recognizable structures in the area. At 214 feet long, 44 feet wide and two stories in height, the barn remains one of the largest on the east coast. The property eventually became known as “The Record Farm”, after The Philadelphia Record newspaper, which Mr. Singerly purchased in 1877. After numerous acquisitions of land, the farm eventually grew to 825 acres and was soon home to high-breed cattle, sheep and horses. Mr. Singerly also built several of the smaller structures that served as housing for his farm staff.
Wilson | 1901 – 1913
Mr. Singerly died in 1898 and the land parceled off over the next several years to local farmers. In 1901, William Wilson purchased the portion of land which consisted of an 82 acre tract containing the farmhouse and the barn. He held onto the property for the next 12 years until he sold the property to Ralph. B. Strassburger in 1913.
Strassburger | 1913 – 1993
Ralph Strassburger was another prominent business man and, like Mr. Singerly, had a keen interest in farming and agriculture. In 1911, he married May Bourne, the daughter of Commodore Frederick G. Bourne, the president of the Singer Sewing Machine Company. The couple received $4 million from the Commodore as a wedding present – it is believed that this money was used to purchase the property from Mr. Wilson. Mr. Strassburger renamed the property after Normandy, France, where he honeymooned with his new wife. He also held numerous properties in France, which influenced many of the design and archiectural characteristics seen on the farm. Ralph Strassburger originally used the farm to breed thoroughbred hourses, then Aryshire cattle. Mr. Strassburger proceeded to build the three silos, which remain three distinctive features of the property, to feed what grew to a heard of 300 Aryshire cattles. He also constructed the huge white stucco walls, which still border on two sides of the property today. The Strassburgers eventually grew the farm to 1,500 acres. Although Ralph Strassburger died in 1959, Normandy Farm remained in his family for the next several decades. The farm remained largely unused during this time, although was dutifully watched over by Arthur Rush, who kept and maintained the property for the Strassburger family for 45 years. (Coincidentally, Ralph Strassburger was also the newspaper business. He acquired the Norristown Herald in 1921 and the Norristown Times in 1922. In 1923, he consolidated the two papers and the “Times Herald” was born.)
Vesterra | 1993 - 2000
The property was sold by distant cousins of the Strassburgers to Vesterra Corporation, who in turn parceled off the land to local developers. Finally, in 2000, the property was purchased by an affiliate of Hansen Properties, Inc., owner of the Blue Bell Country Club across the street, and well-known real estate developer in Montgomery County.
Hansen | 2000 to date
Continuing the property’s tradition as a prominent fixture in Montgomery County’s history, Mr. Hansen has developed the property into a state-of-the-art hotel, conference center, banquet facility and restaurant. Officially on the National Register of Historical Places, Normandy Farm was renovated according to strict historical guidelines and is now restored to its original magnificence and glory.
Normandy Farm re-opened to the public in June 2003. |
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