Alert Please note that the parking lot may be impacted by winter conditions.
history
Hildacy Preserve is virtually all that remains of a 300-acre land grant from William Penn to a local tanner and his family. Once prized for its mature oak trees, the land was slowly cleared for timber and agriculture. By the late 1800s, only one small grove of trees remained.
The original stone farmhouse dates to 1806, with wings built in 1850 and 1943. The farmhouse and a 2001 addition serve as Natural Lands’ regional headquarters. A smaller building, circa 1870, was once a domestic springhouse and is now the preserve manager’s residence. The frame bank barn was constructed around 1900.
In 1936, Hilda and Cyril Fox (hence the name “Hildacy”) bought the property. They lived here for nearly 40 years, and used the farm to raise race horses and German shepherds. As the surrounding area was developed, the Foxes were determined to keep their land open for wildlife. In 1981, Mrs. Fox donated Hildacy to Natural Lands, with instructions to continue the Foxes’ conservation work. Since that time, we have worked to restore the woodlands, meadows, and wetlands to a more natural state.
Upcoming events at Hildacy Preserve
access to nature. more essential than ever.
Our preserves are open, thanks to member support.
Help us continue our work saving open space, caring for nature, and connecting people to the outdoors.
donate
(5 miles away)
Parts of the preserve were once used by Wawa Dairy to graze cattle. Today, they are preserved forever.
(6 miles away)
Stoneleigh, a free public garden, is a unique combination of beauty and biodiversity whose native plant gardens will inspire.
[data-bbox-part-id='c9c97a3e-5550-445e-88ca-5c101c400056']
[data-bbox-part-id='c9c97a3e-5550-445e-88ca-5c101c400056']
[data-bbox-part-id='c9c97a3e-5550-445e-88ca-5c101c400056']
[data-bbox-part-id='c9c97a3e-5550-445e-88ca-5c101c400056']
[data-bbox-part-id='c9c97a3e-5550-445e-88ca-5c101c400056']
[data-bbox-part-id='c9c97a3e-5550-445e-88ca-5c101c400056']
[data-bbox-part-id='c9c97a3e-5550-445e-88ca-5c101c400056']
[data-bbox-part-id='c9c97a3e-5550-445e-88ca-5c101c400056']
[data-bbox-part-id='c9c97a3e-5550-445e-88ca-5c101c400056']
[data-bbox-part-id='c9c97a3e-5550-445e-88ca-5c101c400056']
[data-bbox-part-id='c9c97a3e-5550-445e-88ca-5c101c400056']
[data-bbox-part-id='c9c97a3e-5550-445e-88ca-5c101c400056']
[data-bbox-part-id='c9c97a3e-5550-445e-88ca-5c101c400056']
[data-bbox-part-id='c9c97a3e-5550-445e-88ca-5c101c400056']
[data-bbox-part-id='c9c97a3e-5550-445e-88ca-5c101c400056']
[data-bbox-part-id='c9c97a3e-5550-445e-88ca-5c101c400056']
[data-bbox-part-id='c9c97a3e-5550-445e-88ca-5c101c400056']
[data-bbox-part-id='c9c97a3e-5550-445e-88ca-5c101c400056']
[data-bbox-part-id='c9c97a3e-5550-445e-88ca-5c101c400056']
[data-bbox-part-id='c9c97a3e-5550-445e-88ca-5c101c400056']
[data-bbox-part-id='c9c97a3e-5550-445e-88ca-5c101c400056']
[data-bbox-part-id='c9c97a3e-5550-445e-88ca-5c101c400056']
[data-bbox-part-id='c9c97a3e-5550-445e-88ca-5c101c400056']
[data-bbox-part-id='c9c97a3e-5550-445e-88ca-5c101c400056']
[data-bbox-part-id='c9c97a3e-5550-445e-88ca-5c101c400056']
[data-bbox-part-id='c9c97a3e-5550-445e-88ca-5c101c400056']
[data-bbox-part-id='c9c97a3e-5550-445e-88ca-5c101c400056']
[data-bbox-part-id='c9c97a3e-5550-445e-88ca-5c101c400056']
[data-bbox-part-id='c9c97a3e-5550-445e-88ca-5c101c400056']
[data-bbox-part-id='c9c97a3e-5550-445e-88ca-5c101c400056']
[data-bbox-part-id='c9c97a3e-5550-445e-88ca-5c101c400056']
[data-bbox-part-id='c9c97a3e-5550-445e-88ca-5c101c400056']
[data-bbox-part-id='c9c97a3e-5550-445e-88ca-5c101c400056']
[data-bbox-part-id='c9c97a3e-5550-445e-88ca-5c101c400056']
[data-bbox-part-id='c9c97a3e-5550-445e-88ca-5c101c400056']
[data-bbox-part-id='c9c97a3e-5550-445e-88ca-5c101c400056']
[data-bbox-part-id='c9c97a3e-5550-445e-88ca-5c101c400056']
[data-bbox-part-id='c9c97a3e-5550-445e-88ca-5c101c400056']
[data-bbox-part-id='c9c97a3e-5550-445e-88ca-5c101c400056']
[data-bbox-part-id='c9c97a3e-5550-445e-88ca-5c101c400056']
[data-bbox-part-id='c9c97a3e-5550-445e-88ca-5c101c400056']
[data-bbox-part-id='c9c97a3e-5550-445e-88ca-5c101c400056']
[data-bbox-part-id='c9c97a3e-5550-445e-88ca-5c101c400056']
[data-bbox-part-id='c9c97a3e-5550-445e-88ca-5c101c400056']
[data-bbox-part-id='c9c97a3e-5550-445e-88ca-5c101c400056']
[data-bbox-part-id='c9c97a3e-5550-445e-88ca-5c101c400056']
[data-bbox-part-id='c9c97a3e-5550-445e-88ca-5c101c400056']
[data-bbox-part-id='c9c97a3e-5550-445e-88ca-5c101c400056']
[data-bbox-part-id='c9c97a3e-5550-445e-88ca-5c101c400056']
[data-bbox-part-id='c9c97a3e-5550-445e-88ca-5c101c400056']
[data-bbox-part-id='c9c97a3e-5550-445e-88ca-5c101c400056']
[data-bbox-part-id='c9c97a3e-5550-445e-88ca-5c101c400056']
[data-bbox-part-id='c9c97a3e-5550-445e-88ca-5c101c400056']
[data-bbox-part-id='c9c97a3e-5550-445e-88ca-5c101c400056']
[data-bbox-part-id='c9c97a3e-5550-445e-88ca-5c101c400056']
[data-bbox-part-id='c9c97a3e-5550-445e-88ca-5c101c400056']
[data-bbox-part-id='c9c97a3e-5550-445e-88ca-5c101c400056']
[data-bbox-part-id='c9c97a3e-5550-445e-88ca-5c101c400056']
[data-bbox-part-id='c9c97a3e-5550-445e-88ca-5c101c400056']
[data-bbox-part-id='c9c97a3e-5550-445e-88ca-5c101c400056']
[data-bbox-part-id='c9c97a3e-5550-445e-88ca-5c101c400056']
[data-bbox-part-id='c9c97a3e-5550-445e-88ca-5c101c400056']
[data-bbox-part-id='c9c97a3e-5550-445e-88ca-5c101c400056']
[data-bbox-part-id='c9c97a3e-5550-445e-88ca-5c101c400056']
[data-bbox-part-id='c9c97a3e-5550-445e-88ca-5c101c400056']
[data-bbox-part-id='c9c97a3e-5550-445e-88ca-5c101c400056']
[data-bbox-part-id='c9c97a3e-5550-445e-88ca-5c101c400056']
[data-bbox-part-id='c9c97a3e-5550-445e-88ca-5c101c400056']
[data-bbox-part-id='c9c97a3e-5550-445e-88ca-5c101c400056']
[data-bbox-part-id='c9c97a3e-5550-445e-88ca-5c101c400056']
[data-bbox-part-id='c9c97a3e-5550-445e-88ca-5c101c400056']
[data-bbox-part-id='c9c97a3e-5550-445e-88ca-5c101c400056']