Lesher Farm

LOCATED IN EVANSBURG STATE PARK

Historic Name: Yellis Cassel Homestead
Current Name: S-25-6 Lesher Farm
Location: On the big bend of the Skippack Creek at end of a long Cedar-lined lane off of Lesher Road below Anders Road bridge.
Approximate Date of Construction: 1860
Architectural Classification: Pennsylvania German Farmstead
Historic Function: Residence/Farm
Current Function: Residence

Areas of Significance: House and site are both historically significant. Built by descendents of the original settler, the stone house typifies the Pennsylvania German Farm structure. The triple door fenestration on the southern facade, the orientation on the site, and the width to length proportion make this a particularly interesting example of the solitary farmstead or Einzelhof, the best of its kind in the area. Placed at a 90 degree angle to the house at one corner is the summer kitchen and smokehouse.

It is known that Christopher Dock, the author of the first treatise on modern education lived with Yellis Cassel on this site as early as 1725. The famous teacher of Skippack School died near here in 1771. This is the original homestead in America of the extensive Cassel family and, until 1907, only succeeding generations of the Yellis Cassel family lived in this and the preceding farm house.

Context of the Structure: The house overlooks a placid pool at the base of a pleasant stretch of lawn sweeping down from the house to the bend of the creek. The entire farm of about 100 acres lies within the bend of the stream and so is completely isolated. Only unspoiled, unoccupied wood and field lands are visible from the site.

Outbuildings: Summer Kitchen and smokehouse, a wood shed, a wood-frame barn, stone remains of large barn.

Stone remains of large barn. Photo taken in 2003.


Wood framed barn. Photo taken in 2003.


Spring House. Photo taken in 2003.

Condition of the Structure/Site: Both structures and site are in good condition. The summer kitchen walk-in fireplace needs restoration. The spring house needs restoration.

Researched and written by Andy McClay,
Historian, Skippack Historical Society

Edited by Bradley S. DeForest