Haldeman Mansion Preservation Society

The Haldeman Mansion, listed on the national register of historic places, is the birthplace of Samuel S. Haldeman (1812-1880). The mansion was completed in 1811 and built by Samuel’s grandfather, John Haldeman. Samuel Haldeman was a noted scientist, naturalist, philologist and wrote many scientific books and papers. Haldeman corresponded and is credited by Noah Webster with many words and definitions in the Webster dictionary. Charles Darwin acknowledged Haldeman in his book “Origin of Species” with his ideas supporting evolution. The Haldeman Mansion also has significant Native American history having documented settlements in the vicinity including Conoy Town and prehistoric Shenks Ferry Indian tribes.

The Haldeman Mansion Preservation Society (HMPS) maintains the mansion and grounds. The all-volunteer group’s focus is to restore and renovate the mansion for use as a history museum, educational center and community gathering place. Its scenic view of the Susquehanna River makes it an ideal location for weddings, anniversary celebrations and family gatherings. A café is operated on site with seasonal hours from Spring to Fall.

With the support of various events, its members, volunteers and professional advisors, the Haldeman Mansion was able to get a new slate roof, heating/cooling units in several rooms and having a fully restored grand entryway with another room in its final stages of renovation. We will use the support of the ExtraGive Campaign to renovate a room within the mansion to serve as a museum.

Who We Are

The Haldeman Mansion Preservation Society (HMPS) is a 53 year old, small, local grassroots, all volunteer, nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the Haldeman Mansion and its Locust Grove Estate for future generations; to preserving its important place in the history of Lancaster County. Its history spans Native American, Colonial, Early American and Scientific Heritages.

The Mansion, Its Locust Grove Property and Owners

The historic mansion & its Locust Grove Estate is located on a river terrace overlooking the shallow mile-wide Susquehanna River at its confluence with the Conoy Creek in Northwest Lancaster County. The National Park Service (NPS) placed Locust Grove on its National Register of Historic Places in 1978.

This year, NPS recognized the Native American Heritage of Locust Grove and four surrounding properties by establishing a Locust Grove Archaeological District. The District, with the mansion at it center, is recognized as an ensemble of six archaeological sites and having had the presence of four different tribes. NPS considers two of the sites to be of national significance, possibly worthy of National Heritage recognition.

The Locust Grove property was originally the home to three successive, prominent Scot Irish owners who were variously involved in trading furs with Native Americans, serving as officers in the French & Indian War and inn keeping/grain milling. The Haldeman Family followed the Scot Irish owners. They were leaders in local and state politics and close friends of national leaders. Their extreme wealth was generated through grain & wood milling, distilling, and farming operations at Locust Grove and iron foundries at Marietta.

NPS has recognized the Mansion’s importance in being the birthplace and childhood home of Professor Samuel Steman Haldeman. Professor Haldeman (1812-1880) was a polymath who is recognized as one of America’s preeminent 19th Century naturalists and linguists. By the time of his death, he was an elected member of more than 28 professional societies within the United States and Abroad. Today, he is recognized as one of the men who in the 19th Century advanced American science and letters to a position of cultural independence from Europe and helped shape our state’s Environmental Heritage.

The Society’s Vision, Goals & Activities

The Society’s vision includes a Haldeman Mansion restored and renovated for use as a Community Gathering Place, a Local History and Native American Museum, and an Educational Center.

Our goals are to:

1. Preserve the Haldeman Mansion architectural integrity and significance.
2. Educate the public on Professor Haldeman’s life and achievements in his many areas of scientific and linguistic endeavors.
3. Preserve evidence of early Native American habitation of the property and educate the public through Native American programs and displays.
4. Educate the public on the archaeological importance of the area and Professor Haldeman’s life-long interest in preserving Native American Cultures.
5. Demonstrate and emphasize the influences exerted by Locust Grove on Professor Haldeman through his early associations with the property, its surroundings, and occupants.
6. Connect to the adjacent Northwest River Trail to provide visitors access to the Locust Grove Estate...