Structures Restoration

While preserving the natural beauty and wildness of the Wissahickon is a top priority, Friends of the Wissahickon is also committed to restoring the Park’s many man-made Structures, which mirror its diverse history and heritage.

Valley Green Inn

The historic Valley Green Inn, which dates back to 1850, was restored and expanded in 2002 through a joint effort of the FOW, the Fairmount Park Commission, the Fairmount Park Historic Preservation Trust and the Inn’s management.

The Inn, which has been in constant operation for more than 150 years, is the last of the seven roadhouses that flourished along the Wissahickon Creek between 1840 and 1916.

With its new kitchen, restrooms, dining room, bar and patio, the Inn, which once catered to a thriving horse and carriage trade, is now equipped to handle the demands of its 21st century clientele.

WPA Structures

During the Great Depression, the Works Projects Administration (WPA), a federal program created to help put the country back to work, employed skilled craftsmen to build park guard shelters, toilet facilities, bridges and other structures throughout the Wissahickon. 

Recognizing the integral role these structures played in the Park’s history, the FOW has restored several of these buildings – most recently two old Fairmount Park Guard shelters – one on Forbidden Drive at Kitchen’s Lane and the other at Thomas Mill near the Covered Bridge.

The historic horse warming sheds adjacent to the Valley Green Inn were also constructed during the WPA era. In 2000, FOW volunteers restored these warming sheds, making it possible for modern-day equestrians to tie-up their horses while dining at the Inn – just as they did in an earlier era.

The Indian Statue

In 2002, the Friends of the Wissahickon cooperated with the Fairmount Park Commission (FPC), the Fairmount Park Historic Trust, and the City of Philadelphia to clean up the graffiti-covered Indian Statue in honor of its 100th birthday.

Since then, the Friends have worked with FPC to restore the landscaping around the statue and replace the rotted wooden steps with large, flat stone steps leading down to the statue off the White Trail.

Cedars House

Another old building the FOW has targeted for restoration is Cedars House. Located near the entrance to the Park below Northwestern Avenue, the building was once the field house for the former Andorra Nurseries. The FOW is seeking grant money that will help it turn the house into a Visitors’ Center for the Wissahickon – complete with exhibits, a small gift or souvenir shop and some meeting space.

As always, the FOW needs volunteers and a source of funding for these and the dozens of other restoration projects it is planning throughout the Park. If you would like to help, please contact FOW at 215-247-0417 or office@fow.org.