Upper Makefield Township

Statue

Living History

Upper Makefield Township’s history dates back to 1682, when William Markham first purchased the land from American Indians. “Makefield” is likely a corruption of Macclesfield or Maxfield, an English town from which several original land buyers hailed. The majority of original settlers were Quakers, though there were also Scotch-Irish Presbyterians.


On the evening of December 25, 1776, George Washington led American forces across the Delaware River, departing from Taylorsville (now called Washington Crossing) and arriving in Titusville, New Jersey. This turning point in the American Revolution is memorialized at Washington Crossing Historic Park, located in Upper Makefield Township.

Upper Makefield takes pride in its history. Houses from the 18th and 19th centuries mix with more recent styles so that residents experience history every day, some even in their own homes. The township’s rich legacy inspires the residents to honor the past and to preserve the pristine lands that the original settlers knew in their time.

Historical Advisory Commission

The Historical Advisory Commission promotes the appreciation and protection of historic resources throughout Upper Makefield Township and advises the Board of Supervisors on the identification, documentation, and preservation of the Township’s historic sites, buildings, and documents, for the benefit of current and future residents.

Upper Makefield Historical Society

Upper Makefield Historical Society actively works to preserve and share our township’s history, including:

  • Maintaining extensive archives of documents, books, maps and artifacts for research,
  • Actively compiling oral history through personal interviews, and
  • Offering periodic tours through historic homes.

Visit http://www.umhs.org/ for more information on the Upper Makefield Historical Society.

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