Willis House

Willis House is a Georgian brick residence in Manchester Township north of York, featuring a steeply pitched gable roof and a partially exposed basement integrated into the sloping terrain. The building follows a traditional center hall floor plan characteristic of the period and sits on a property of several acres.

William Willis received the land in 1752 from Thomas and Richard Penn Sr. and built the house in 1762 following English Georgian design principles. The structure emerged during a time when Pennsylvania estates were granted by British proprietors and Georgian style was becoming established in the American colonies.

The house carries the name of Samuel Willis, a Quaker resident who helped people fleeing bondage find safety and shelter here. Visitors can see how a private home became a refuge and how ordinary people risked themselves to aid others.

The property can be reached via Willis Run Road north of York and occupies land spanning several acres. Since the location is rural, it helps to check the specific address before visiting and expect limited parking nearby.

The house employs a banked construction method, built into the natural slope of the land so one side appears partially buried in the earth. This building approach was practical for heat retention and material savings, showing how colonial structures adapted to their surroundings.