History of the Parry Mansion & Barn

The Parry Mansion was completed circa 1784. Around the same time, Benjamin Parry started several mills on the Delaware River. His first grist mill stood on the current site of the Bucks County Playhouse and the large mill mechanisms are still visible in the basement of that building. After another of Parry’s mills, Hope Mill, burned down in 1790, it was rebuilt as the New Hope Mill, lending itself to the name of the community. The Parry Barn is now used by the Bucks County Playhouse as office space on the second floor, while the first floor offers space for cabaret entertainment and smaller events. The Barn held the Parry family’s horses and until recently you could see tufts of horsehair still embedded in the walls. 

Upon purchasing the Parry Mansion in 1966, the Society hired Charles Lamar, noted interior designer and architect, who generously designed the interior of all rooms in the mansion. His décor plan representing five generations of the Parry family inspired the Society to furnish it as a museum of decorative arts with five distinct periods. Seven years and a quarter million dollars later, the Parry Mansion, fully renovated, opened its doors for tours. Dr. Ricker’s vision was becoming reality. 

Our members and supporters enable us to preserve and maintain these historic buildings for present and future generations. We are fortunate to have many pieces of original Parry furniture, household objects and decorative arts.

A recent environmental conservation project will preserve the Parry Mansion’s grounds and a new trail leading around the mansion’s property will recount the history of the surrounding area over the past two centuries.