Wrightstown Friends Meeting Complex
Why it's listed
Wrightstown Friends Meeting is a Quaker meetinghouse in Wrightstown, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, built between 1787 and 1789 by reusing the stone walls of a 1737 addition and raising them to two stories. The building is stuccoed, measures 40 by 65 feet, and has six bays across its main facade with panelled doors at each end. Its interior was once lined with balconies, and the men's and women's sections were divided by panelled shutters for business meetings. Benches on the first floor, still in use, face the gallery where ministers and elders sat. The meeting dates to 1721, with earlier worship in a nearby Quaker settlement from 1685. The complex also includes an 1845 fieldstone schoolhouse, later used by the public school system and by caretakers, and a cemetery. The meetinghouse is regarded as a representative example of local vernacular architecture of the late 18th century. Painter Edward Hicks, known for The Peaceable Kingdom, worshipped here between 1814 and 1820.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the meetinghouse is a representative example of local vernacular architecture of the late 18th century in this part of Pennsylvania. The meeting has been in continuous existence since 1721, and the building has served worship, religious education and business meetings for nearly two centuries. The document also notes that painter Edward Hicks worshipped there between 1814 and 1820.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 75001624, listed October 29, 1975. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | PA 413, Wrightstown |
|---|---|
| County | Bucks County |
| Listed | October 29, 1975 |
| Reference number | 75001624 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Late 18th century rural/vernacular architectural style |
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Religion |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still used for weekly meetings and monthly business meetings; the schoolhouse is used for Sunday school and committee and service group meetings. |
| Acreage | 14.7 |
| Coordinates | 40.26538, -74.98288 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 75001624.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q8038314
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.