Connect Edgmont History Walk: Ridley Creek State Park

A history walk with Jack Miller, President of The Friends of Ridley Creek State Park

Sunday, April 23rd at 11:00AM

The Walk

All are welcome to join Connect Edgmont on April 23rd for a guided history walk around Ridley Creek State Park’s mansion and gardens. We’ll leave from the mansion parking lot at 11AM and learn about the area’s history from special guest Jack Miller, President of The Friends of Ridley Creek State Park.

The first half of the walk (approx. 1 mile) will traverse several sets of historic stone stairways and will focus on the mansion and surrounding structures, including the pool, greenhouse, pump house and formal gardens.

We’ll head down to the Multi-Use Trail for the second half of the walk (approx. 1.4 miles), which will follow a section of the unpaved White Trail to see Edgmont Schoolhouse #3 and the remains of the Feldspar mining operation of the Harris Chemical Company.

There will be an opportunity to cut the walk short after the first mile for those who do not wish to participate in the hillier, off-road portion of the walk.

Children and leashed dogs are welcome.

Please note all participants must sign an Activity Waiver. Printed copies will be available at the start of the hike. Thank you!

The History

On this walk we’ll be joined by special guest Jack Miller, President of The Friends of Ridley Creek State Park. Jack will tell us about the history of Hunting Hill, a gothic revival mansion that was built around an older (c.1798) farmhouse in 1915-16 for Walter Jeffords and his wife, Sarah Fiske. Sarah was the niece of Samuel Riddle, the namesake of Riddle Hospital and owner of the famous racehorse, Man o’ War.

In addition to learning about the mansion, we’ll also visit the remnants of several historic structures in the surrounding area including the old greenhouse, pictured above as it appeared in 2015.

More information on the history of Hunting Hill and the transformation of the Riddle and Jeffords estate into Ridley Creek State Park is available in the Spring/Summer 2022 Newsletter of The Friends of Ridley Creek State Park:

Note: Our walk will not include a tour of the inside of the mansion. If you’d like to tour the mansion interior, The Friends of RCSP will be hosting tours on July 14, 15 and 16, 2023. Advanced registration is required and the tours will sell out; visit www.friendsofrcsp.org for details.

Time and Place:

Sunday April 23rd at 11:00AM
Ridley Creek State Park, Mansion/Park Office Parking Lot (Picnic Area #7)
Follow signs for Hunting Hill Mansion and the Park Office from the intersection of Gradyville Road and Sandy Flash Drive (Google Map Link)