Restoration Begins on a Historic Mansion With a Global Connection

The Joseph Price House at 401 Clover Mill Road in West Whiteland Township has stood at the corner of Clover Mill and South Whitford Roads since 1878. The large serpentine stone residence was expanded around 1894, blending Gothic Revival and Queen Anne architecture with steep rooflines, asymmetrical additions, and a wraparound porch. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984, the building recognizes both its architectural significance and its connection to a notable figure in late 19th-century medicine.

For many years, the house was better known for neglect than history. The vacancy led to significant deterioration, roof sections collapsed, windows broke, and the structure steadily decayed despite its historic designation. Locals frequently note it as one of the most visible examples of historic neglect in the Exton area, raising concerns that the mansion might eventually be lost.

Recent activity indicates that the situation is changing. Stabilization work has begun, including securing the building, removing debris, and starting restoration of the historic stone exterior.

The house is named for Dr. Joseph Price, a prominent Philadelphia surgeon who later owned the estate. Price practiced during a time when modern surgical techniques were emerging, with advances in anesthesia and antiseptics making complex operations more feasible. Historical documentation tied to the property records an unusual detail: Price traveled abroad to study surgery and reportedly operated on the Shah of Iran, receiving a Persian rug as recognition. That single fact links Exton to global history.

The original 1878 structure was a two-story limestone residence with cross-gables and steep roof. Later additions turned it into a more complex Victorian estate with extended wings and a covered carriage entrance. The serpentine stone, quarried locally, gives the building its distinctive green tint, common in parts of Chester County during that era.

If the restoration continues, the Joseph Price House could become one of the more unusual preservation stories in Chester County, a Victorian mansion that survived decades of decay is now being brought back to life.

Let’s move Pennsylvania forward.