Barnard Station - Home of Eusebious and Sarah Barnard

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Barnard Station's logo was designed by illustrator Ann Bedrick. Click here to learn more about Ann.

You can help by making a donation toward the new Heritage Center.

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Barnard Station - Home of Eusebius and Sarah Barnard

This historic farm in rural Chester County, Pennsylvania was once the home of Eusebius and Sarah Barnard in the 1800s. As Quakers they upheld the ideals of simplicity, truth, equality, and community. As abolitionists, the Barnard family opened their home to freedom seekers on the Underground Railroad. Eusebius Barnard, a progressive community leader, was involved in the founding of Longwood Progressive Meeting as well as a signer of the petition for the formation of Pocopson Township.

Friends of Barnard Station is excited to begin the journey of creating a new Heritage Center at the Barnard House. This Heritage Center will focus on the abolitionist movement and local area history preserving the integrity of the house and fostering greater appreciation of the role Pocopson Township played in American History. It is a story of heroism in a time of national strife.

UPDATE - May 25, 2023
We are pleased to post our 2023 open house schedule. From 11:00 am until 1:00 pm, the public is welcome to tour the entire first floor of Barnard Station on the following dates: June 17, July 15, August 19, September 16 and October 21. A temporary Certificate of Occupancy has been granted for the Barnard House allowing the public access to all of the first floor rooms. The Barnard Station Welcome Center in the rear of the building also has some new displays. See our Visit page for location details. 

UPDATE - January 2023
In November 2022, work began on the Preservation Plan. This included the creation of drawings of the Barnard House layout and location of changes made over the years. During January 2023, original doorways were located along with identification of an added closet and enclosed duct work. Demolition was done to return those items to their original state. To learn more and view photos, click here.

UPDATE - October 4, 2022
The National Park Service’s National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom accepted the Eusebius Barnard House as a member. Friends of Barnard Station, along with Pocopson Township, are pleased to make this announcement. It is now officially recognized as Barnard Station.

Press Release: The National Park Service’s National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom accepted the Eusebius Barnard House, owned by Pocopson Township and managed through collaboration with Friends of Barnard Station, as one of 17 new listings from the 44th round of applications, representing sites and programs in 13 states across the U.S. These new listings, alongside more than 700 sites, facilities, and programs already in the Network, provide insight into the diverse experiences of freedom seekers who bravely escaped slavery and allies who assisted them. Click to see full press release: Barnard Station Press Release

UPDATE - October 1, 2022
We were approved for a matching grant from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) to complete a Preservation Plan so that we have an accurate foundation to finalize our plans for the restoration of the first floor of the house, where the new Heritage Center will be located. This official report, by a recognized historical preservation architect, will help with future grants that we pursue. Since this is a matching grant, we need financial help from the community to meet our portion. Each dollar donated will be matched by PHMC. During the summer of 2022 we executed a campaign to raise matching funds from the community.

We wish to thank the Phyllis Recca Foundation and all of our donors for their contributions that helped us complete our first $16,000 matching fund. Now we move forward to raise the remaining funds required for the PHMC grant. We are making great progress. Beyond that, we will continue to pursue contributions for future work to the first floor of the Heritage Center. Our work has just begun, but we are very thankful for all the community support. We are energized and excited to reach our ultimate goal, which is to open the Heritage Center.