The Newtown Township Board of Supervisors announced that Equus Capital Partners has agreed to donate The Square Tavern to Newtown Township. The property, at the corner of Goshen Road and North Newtown Street Road, dates back to 1742 and has been preserved through several renovations over the years. The property includes the historic building, the surrounding yard, the parking lot and the trailhead. The parking lot serves as an integral access point to the Township’s trail system.
This generous donation to our Township will ensure that this historic property, which is significant and provides access to one of Newtown Township’s most popular trails, is preserved in perpetuity. In addition to the property transfer, Equus Capital Partners has agreed to donate $25,000 for future maintenance.
During its ownership of the Square Tavern, Equus has continuously supported the Newtown Township Historical Society and has graciously allowed the Society to use the property without charge for activities and events, including art shows, monthly open houses and tours for the public on its Historic Newtown Square Day. The Square Tavern is also known to be where Benjamin West (1738-1820) began his extraordinary career as a world-renowned artist and teacher. Known as the Father of American painting, West spent his childhood years at the Square Tavern, where his father worked. His art caught the attention of many prolific individuals who sent him to study in Italy. He then established a studio in London, was selected as a court painter to King George III, and became one of the founders of the Royal Academy of the Arts in London; he is buried at St. Paul’s Cathedral there.
This transaction is consistent with the Board of Supervisors’ goal to preserve Newtown Township history, as demonstrated in the Strategic Plan of 2019, the enactment of the historic preservation ordinance in 2022, and the significant investments made to preserve historic resources such as the Paper Mill House and Bartram’s Covered Bridge.
Newtown Township extends its deepest gratitude to Equus Capital Partners for its continued support and its generous donation of the Square Tavern property, land and monetary donation.
A dedication ceremony will be held sometime in the fall and will be listed on the Newtown Township website and social media sites. The community is welcome to join in the celebration once a date has been set.