Thomas Leiper Estate

Thomas Leiper Estate is a three-story yellow stucco mansion in Wallingford with several outbuildings sitting on six acres of land. The property now operates as a museum where visitors can see the layout of a substantial American estate from the nation's founding era.

A Scottish-American merchant named Thomas Leiper built this estate in 1785 and named it after his Scottish homeland, Strath Haven. The property was created during a period of growth for the newly formed United States and reflects the wealth that commerce enabled.

The mansion shows how wealthy merchants lived during the early American republic, with furnishings and objects that reflect the daily life of that era. The separate outbuildings like the carriage house and smokehouse reveal how such estates required many different structures to function as complete households.

Visitors can tour the estate from April through December when guides lead people through the mansion and show its history. It is wise to check ahead to confirm when tours are available so you can plan your visit properly.

The estate contains one of America's earliest private bank vaults, which originally stored federal funds during the War of 1812. This hidden safe is a fascinating remnant from a time when private homes sometimes served as secure places to keep the nation's most valuable assets.

Location: Pennsylvania

GPS coordinates: 39.88667,-75.35833

Latest update: December 12, 2025 12:06