My last two posts were about libraries in Washington, Pennsylvania. Those beautiful libraries were happy bonuses for the primary reason for why I chose to spend the night in Washington during my road trip: to see the birth home of the writer Rebecca Harding Davis (1831-1910).

The house is now known as the Bradford House, named after it’s builder, David Bradford. It was built between 1786-88 and was one of the first stone buildings in the area.

At the time of Davis’s birth in 1831, her maternal aunt Rebecca Blaine lived in the house. Davis’s parents lived in Alabama at this time but her mother, Rachel, went home to Washington to give birth where she’d have the support of her sister and family.

Davis was born on June 24th in a back bedroom on the second floor of the house, which the Blaine’s called Old Stone House. (Source: Rebecca Harding Davis: A Life Among Writers by Sharon M. Harris this is also an affiliate link if you’d like to purchase a copy.)

The house is now a museum focused on Bradford and the Whiskey Rebellion of which he was a leader.

The building just to the left of Bradford House features a mural depicting an interpretation of the Whiskey Rebellion.

The end of the mural, depicting the rebels in jail. Bradford fled south and like so many wealthy white men, ended up receiving a pardon for his role in the insurrection.

Back to the house. Here’s the view of the southwest back of the house.

This charming garden was a nice surprise. According to the museum’s website, it is a typical 18th century garden.

Back out front, looking up Main Street. If my memory serves correctly, if you go up a block and take a right, you’ll run into Citizens Library.

Gutter detail with interesting construction up top. I’d like to see how the water is collected and channeled.

Shutter detail.

Learn more about Rebecca Harding Davis on the Wikipedia page about her and read her work here: https://rebeccahardingdaviscompleteworks.com/

Bradford House Museum
175 S. Main Street
Washington, PA
Website