In November 2022, Whitemarsh Township and the Whitemarsh Art Center announced the acquisition of the 10.45-acre Corson Tract property off Butler Pike in Plymouth Meeting (Whitemarsh Township). The acquisition prevented the development of the property and preserved Abolition Hall, Hovenden House, and the Corson Homestead, which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, along with the Marple Lane House. The property had been privately owned throughout its history and a developer was working towards developing the property with townhouses before it walked away from the project.
The township and Whitemarsh Art Center paid $3.95 million for the property, $2 million of which came from a grant from The Karabots Foundation to the Art Center. The township paid the balance with funds from its Open Space Earned Income Tax. The Whitemarsh Art Center was to move to the property and utilize it for its programs.
The property is historic due to the Quakers and the Corson family’s role in the local abolition movement and as a stop on the Underground Railroad. It was later a studio for artist Thomas Hovenden.
On February 14th, the township announced that Whitemarsh Art Center would no longer be moving to the property and that the township would seek a partner to “offer the educational, technical and/or creative programming and exposure that can inspire local underserved and disadvantaged youth, in furtherance of the mission of the Karabots Foundation.”
Below is the full statement from the township:
In 2021, the Township entered into an agreement with the Whitemarsh Art Center that protected the home of historic Abolition Hall. It was a creative approach made possible by a generous donation from the Karabots Foundation and preserved a very important piece of history.
The plan was for a portion of the property to become the new home for the Whitemarsh Art Center. The Art Center has been a mainstay of Whitemarsh for 60 years. After the Township and the Art Center took possession of the property, the Art Center worked on a plan for its use that would allow it to expand programming that enriches the community, including offering STEM classes for children.
In recent discussions with the Township about the status of the project, the Art Center, the Township, and the Karabots Foundation agreed that it would be best for the Art Center to cease plans to move onto the property for such expanded offerings, and to remain focused on providing art classes primarily for adults. The Art Center will continue to serve the community from its home in Cedar Grove Park and the Township will continue to provide annual funding to the Art Center.
This change does not impact the Township’s commitment to preserving the property while making it a home for programs and activities that benefit the community. As part of that commitment, the Township and the Karabots Foundation will look for a new partner that can offer the educational, technical and/or creative programming and exposure that can inspire local underserved and disadvantaged youth, in furtherance of the mission of the Karabots Foundation. The Township also plans to continue engagement with the community about future uses and preservation of the property.
As part of the community engagement, the Abolition Hall Steering Committee will meet on March 3 at 7 p.m.