Waynesborough
Also known as: Gen. Anthony Wayne House
Why it's listed
Built of uncoursed fieldstone, this house in Paoli began in 1724 as a small two-story house with a garret, built by Anthony Wayne, grandfather of the Revolutionary War general. About 1735 a five-bay center hall section was added, with flanking rooms on either side of an off-center hall. It has a heavy moulded cornice carried across pedimented gables, a pent hood over the front door, and a double door with a chevron design. A one-and-a-half-story east wing was added in 1792 to hold a new kitchen, and a north wing followed in 1902. The house is best known as the birthplace of General Anthony Wayne, who was born there in 1745. Papers and letters record visits by Madison, Monroe, Jefferson, Franklin, Lafayette, Steuben and Alexander Hamilton. Its interior woodwork, including dentilled cornices and fireplace mantles, survives from the 1735 phase.
Significance in brief: The house is significant for its association with General Anthony Wayne, who was born there in 1745 and later distinguished himself at Brandywine, Germantown, Valley Forge and Yorktown. The nomination also argues that its architecture reflects an early Chester County taste for simple, well-proportioned stone houses with refined detailing, and that it retains its basic eighteenth-century character.
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 73001603, listed March 7, 1973. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 2049 Waynesborough Rd., Paoli |
|---|---|
| County | Chester County |
| Listed | March 7, 1973 |
| Reference number | 73001603 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1724-1792 |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Military |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated November 28, 1972 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The interior is being restored, with the box stairs being rebuilt and original colors reproduced. |
| Acreage | 14 |
| Coordinates | 40.03213, -75.47322 (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 73001603.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7976812
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.