Tredyffrin Township Home to One of the Main Line’s Hidden Architectural Gems

The former Covered Wagon Inn.Image via Save the Covered Wagon Inn.

The Main Line is filled with hidden architectural gems with a rich history that have been successfully preserved by being repurposed for modern-day use. One notable example is the historic Covered Wagon Inn in Tredyffrin Township, writes Paul Jablow for Main Line Today.

When property that included the Covered Wagon Inn was sold to CVS, local preservationists immediately started a campaign to save it. Still, they conceded that the developer, Summit Realty Advisors, had the legal right to demolish the fieldstone structure, which dates to 1780 or so.

“CVS wants to be part of the community,” said Summit Realty owner John Zaharchuk. “We didn’t want to come off as carpetbaggers.”

The developer drew up a new plan together with the Tredyffrin Historic Preservation Trust, while local officials left room for the property to contain both the inn and a new CVS.

Some of the preservation efforts were simple, including fixing the north wall that “was like Swiss cheese,” said project architect Matt Heckendorn.

Other efforts required avoiding esthetic clashes between the two buildings, so this CVS also has a gabled roof and exterior of prefabricated stone.

Read more about the resurrection of the Covered Wagon Inn in Main Line Today.