Edwin Kenney House

The Kenney House was located just after the "S" curve in Creamery. This house dated back to circa 1860, when a man named Joseph Kreamer bought about 26 acres of land from the neighboring Hunsicker Farm. Mr. Kreamer built this house and only one outbuilding to use as a small chicken farm. Mr. Kreamer lived in this house with his wife and kids until the very early 1900's when he was killed in Collegeville while crossing the railroad tracks. His wife and children sued the rail company and won about $10,000. After their win, they sold the house to the Detweiler Family.

The Kenny House in 2004

THE KENNEY HOUSE WAS TORN DOWN ON JULY 18, 2005 BY BETTER LIVING HOMES, INC.

The Detweiler's lived in the Kenney House for a short time. When they purchased the house and land, they also purchased the chickens. They maintained the chicken farm very well. Around 1910, the Detweiler's decided they had enough of running a chicken farm and put the farm up for sale. The buyers were the Kriebel Family.

The Kriebel's lived in Mr. Kenney's house until 1942. Just like the Detweiler's, the Kriebel's bought not only 14 acres of land and a house, but they also bought chickens. The Kriebel's kept the chicken farm running for a very long period of time. Around the early 1940's, the hard work of a chicken farm grew too much for the older family and they sold the house and 9 acres of land (no chickens) to a Mr. Edwin Kenney and Mrs. Edith Kenney.

The original chicken barn behind the house.

One of the outbuildings built by Mr. Kenney.

Mr. Kenney lived in the house for the longest period of time, 60 years. Mrs. Kenney would have been there the same amount of time but she passed away in 1993. During their stay, they built 2 more outbuildings, by hand, and had 2 neighboring houses to the north built. The Kenney's met in Philadelphia while Edwin was going to school to become a minister. Edith was a secretary and according to Mr. Kenney "as soon as their eyes met, he knew he was to marry her." Edwin and Edith had 3 children they raised while living in Creamery. Also, the Kenney's were the only family NOT to have a chicken farm on this property. They wanted to try something a little different. That something was the Kenney Kiddie Camp. This camp ran from around June of 1948 until around September 1976. Neighbors have said Mr. Kenney was always seen outside enjoying the nice summer day with the children. Mr. and Mrs. Kenney were very much in love with each other, their children, the house and all the kids from Philadelphia and New York City that spent a summer or two in their home.

READ MORE ABOUT THE KENNEY HOUSE IN A NEWSPAPER ARTICLE PUBLISHED ON 1/26/05.

Chain of Title

1860 - 1906 - The Kreamer Family
1906 - 1910 - The Detweiler Family
1910 - 1942 - The Kriebel Family
1942 - 2002 - The Kenney Family
2002 - 2005 - Better Living Homes, Inc.
July 18, 2005 - The demolition of the beloved Kenney House.

Researched and written by Nick Fountain
President of the Skippack Historical Society (2007 & 2008)