Historic Newtown

Book excerpt: Newtown has a rich heritage that is abundant with historic charm. Its three-century-long growth is founded on deep agricultural roots with a notable role in American history. Once a busy commercial and cultural center, Newtown served as the county seat of Bucks County from 1726 to 1813. Within this community resounded the shots of British raiding parties. From this small town on Christmas morning in 1776, General George Washington marched from his headquarters to join the Battle of Trenton. Over the succeeding years, Newtown was quietly transformed back into the tranquil pastoral town it once was. Despite the many changes that are now evident, traces of this historic past remain today. From the archives of the Newtown Historic Association, Historic Newtown offers the reader a unique opportunity to see everyday life in this rural community as it was at the beginning of the twentieth century. Within these photographs are many rare and never-before-published glimpses into the past of one of the oldest and most historic towns in Pennsylvania. Highlighted is the historic district of Newtown, which is the largest district in Bucks County to be placed on the National Register of Historic Places. These photographs are a living testament to the many people, places, and events that have shaped the culture of this remarkable community.