Valley Green Inn

Built in 1850 by Edward Rinker, the Valley Green Inn, originally called Edward Rinker’s Temperance Tavern, is the last remaining example of the many roadhouses and taverns that served and watered the carriage trade along the Wissahickon in the 19th century.

The Friends of the Wissahickon has been the guardian of the Inn since 1934 when it rallied to raise $30,000 to save the Inn from being demolished by the City of Philadelphia. In response, the City of Philadelphia handed over responsibility for the Inn to the FOW by way of a sublease for $1 a year. This gave the FOW the right to collect rent and share in any profits made by the restaurant operation — provided all such monies be used to maintain the Inn, its surroundings and Wissahickon Park.

Today, the FOW shares the leasing responsibilities with the Fairmount Park Historic Preservation Trust, which was created to oversee all the historic buildings in Fairmount Park. The FOW has sublet the Inn to a professional restaurant management company, Bigway Inc., which is entirely responsible for its day-to-day operation.

2001 Fundraising for improvements

In recent years, it became apparent that the small size of the Inn, its secluded location and the vicissitudes of weather and economics made it extremely difficult to operate a profitable restaurant. It was therefore decided by the FOW and the Inn’s management company to launch a huge fundraising campaign to repair, remodel and expand the Inn with banquet facilities sufficient to accommodate small wedding receptions and other celebratory events. Working under severe constraints to accomplish this without altering the historic façade and interior of the Inn, this 2001 project resulted in the vastly improved structure you see today.

Because of the age and historic significance of the Inn, the maintenance needs are still huge and funds limited. Nevertheless, FOW’s commitment to preserving Valley Green Inn and its surroundings continues. The Friends of the Wissahickon recognizes the importance of this Inn in its magical setting to the social and cultural life of our City and how it embodies the love, the traditions and the memories of generations of Philadelphians.