75th Anniversary

The original home was built around 1773 by Curtis Grubb, the son of Peter Grubb who founded the Cornwall Iron Furnace. The Grubb’s 19 room home overlooked expansive meadows which were used as proving grounds for the Revolutionary War cannons made at the furnace.

In 1798, Robert Coleman (November 4, 1748 - August 14, 1825 was an American industrialist and politician who became Pennsylvania's first millionaire), began taking over the Mansion and Iron Furnace (beginning the Coleman legacy) from the Grubb Family.

Margaret Freeman Coleman Buckingham was the descendant to live in the historic Buckingham Mansion. She was a generous benefactor to the Methodist Church and had stated in her will that she wanted the 75-acre property to be used for "something good." Margaret passed in 1945 and because of her provision in her will, she is known as Cornwall Manor's first philanthropist.

Aerial photo of the 75-acre Coleman estate before purchased by the Methodist clergy purchased the grounds to establish a retirement home.

September 13, 1948 - old newspaper clipping announcing sale of Buckingham Mansion. Caption under Mansion reads, "TO BE METHODIST REST HOME. The Buckingham Mansion House at Cornwall, built in 1740 by Peter Grubb, ironmaster, has been purchased by the Philadelphia Conference of the Methodist Church and will be made into a rest home for retired ministers, their wives and deserving aged people. The Rev. Dr. Levi H. Zerr, who made the announcement of the purchase, said the work of reconverting the historic old house will begin January 1 and it is hoped that it will be ready for occupancy next spring."

Signing the agreement of sale, February 1949

A group of directors reviews the title to the property with Dr. Levi Zerr (center).

October 8, 1949 - Grand Opening & Dedication Ceremony - cars parked on the Buckingham Mansion lawn.

October 8, 1949 - Grand Opening & Dedication Ceremony - people listen to remarks before touring the property.

October 8, 1949 - Grand Opening & Dedication Ceremony

The first 11 residents move into the Buckingham Mansion on October 15, 1949.

The Rev. Dr. Levi Hoffman Zerr, is known as the founder and first administrator of the Methodist Church Home at Cornwall. He served from 1949-1964.

Group photo of the Board of Directors, standing outside Bradley Hall in the early 1950s.

First organized Executive Committee meeting of the Golden Cross Society (today known as the Cornwall Manor Society), 1954.

Aerial photo of the "Methodist Church Home at Cornwall" in 1959, at the 10th Anniversary.

Directors stand (off to left in photo) looking at the "Methodist Church Home at Cornwall" signage.