Federal Barn
Also known as: Cressbrook Farm
Why it's listed
Built into a hillside at Valley Forge, this detached two-story stone and wood Pennsylvania bank barn has an upper threshing and mow floor entered by wagon doors at grade, with stables on the lower level facing a stone-walled barnyard. The original Federal section was completed in 1792 and bears a date stone and inscribed names of its builders, including Jonathan Moor, along with those of William and Mary Davis and John Harvard. A larger three-bay addition from around 1830 to 1850 doubled the barn's size and was entered over a covered wood bridge. Its massive hand-hewn, pegged timber framing and stone work are described as fine. The barn lies within 150 feet of the Duportail Farmhouse, the former quarters of Brigadier General Louis Lebègue Duportail during the 1777-78 encampment, and its significance is tied to protecting that house and the historic scene around it.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the barn is a significant historic structure in its own right and that listing protects the integrity of the Cressbrook Farm house and the historic scene. The original 1792 portion is described as possibly the only signed bank barn in Pennsylvania, bearing inscriptions of its builders and occupants. Both sections show fine stone and wood work.
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 80003469, listed February 8, 1980. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Off PA 252, Valley Forge |
|---|---|
| County | Chester County |
| Listed | February 8, 1980 |
| Reference number | 80003469 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1792 and circa 1840 |
| Architect / builder | Jonathan Moor |
| Architectural style | Pennsylvania bank barn |
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Agriculture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Acreage | 2.7 |
| Within district | Valley Forge National Historical Park |
| Coordinates | 40.07744, -75.45014 (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 80003469.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5440024
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.