Longwood Gardens has successfully moved the Cox House, a historic home that once served as a stop on the Underground Railroad.

Longwood made the decision to preserve the Cox House by moving it 100 feet from its prior location in response to a Pennsylvania Department of Transportation project to widen Route 1.  

The process of moving the house involved thorough preparations, including the creation of a foundation that mirrors the original in size and configuration.

The house was raised from its foundation, placed on temporary rails, and then transported 100 feet. Steel cables, temporary walls, and careful bracing ensured the integrity of the house throughout the relocation process, which took place on Wednesday, Feb. 28. 

The house is named for John (1786-1880) and Hannah Cox (1797-1876), Quaker farmers and social justice reformers who lived in the house from 1829 until 1880.

Active in the Underground Railroad, they put their lives, property, and prosperity at risk by providing a haven for escaped enslaved persons and assisting freedom seekers to other safe houses along the Underground Railroad. 

There are no immediate plans to open to the Cox House to the public.

Watch the Cox House timelapse video courtesy of Bancroft Construction here.

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Editor’s Note: This post first appeared on VISTA Today in March 2024.