Do you know what’s happening in YOUR backyard???
Save Forsythe Farm
905 Westtown Rd. is a historic property in West Goshen Township, dating back to 1818 located in the Falcon Crest Development near the corner of Westtown Rd. and Falcon Ln. Proposals are emerging for the 8.5 acres to be developed into subdivisions and this historic home and barn to be demolished. It has been up for Sheriff's Sale many times in the past, along with many code violations from the township in the tens of thousands of dollars. A group of us has formed to advocate for its protection. Like and follow us on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/SaveForsytheFarm
or email:
This property is believed to hold a Native American burial site. It also includes wetlands and the endangered species of the Bog Turtles. It holds enormous history. Part of 237 acres of land John Forsythe bought for his children, John, James, and Hannah. John was the first schoolmaster tasked with starting the Quaker Westtown School in 1799. The history intersects a forgotten history of Abolition, Underground Railroad, Agriculture, Quaker, Black History, and Education.
This situation which has been allowed to transpire over 20 years is what is known as 'Demolition by Neglect', a process in which a developer comes into a community, buys a Historic Asset, and lets it rot to claim the house has to be torn down. While the house is in bad shape, it is not beyond repair. Historic Ordinances in the County at the Township level provide some degree of protection, but it is up to communities to insist measures be taken to protect historic assets. West GoshenTownship's Historic Ordinance is currently under review.
As of today, the township board of supervisors voted to have the property put into a 'Conservatorship'. What this means, is the property will be taken from the owner temporarily, they will fence it in, properly tarp the roof, make the property safe, shore up the bridge over the creek to make the Westtown Rd. entrance accessible to vehicles. The Conservator will also have someone go and evaluate the property and its structures to report back whether or not they feel the structures are able to be saved. They have the power to demolish the structures on the property. The owner would then have the option to pay back the costs incurred to make the property safe, along with the 'conservators fee', and get control of the property back. IF he cannot afford that, the township will put the property up for sale, which means a developer could purchase it.
We are trying to stop this at all costs. The historical significance of this property cannot be lost! Please help us to save this important piece of West Goshen/Chester County History. All of the funds/proceeds we are raising/crowdsourcing starting in December 2025, will be going to establish our group and file as a 501c3. We feel this will be the best step forward, and the way to ensure our voices heard. Please help us protect this historic gem and share in our goal of preserving “our story”. This property may not make up as much space as some of the farms in the area that have already been saved by similar efforts…but size doesn’t matter! What Forsythe Farm lacks in size, it more than makes up for with its incredibly rich contribution to our history.
We want to propose the first of its kind…West Goshen’s very first open space “Heritage Center”.
If you care like we do, please join us! Most importantly, show up to West Goshen’s Board of Supervisors Meetings, every 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month. We need strength in numbers! So please support us in this way if at all possible.
Thank you to everyone that has helped so far! We could not have done this without the help of our community and neighbors. Our group continues to grow, and we see this at each meeting we hold. We are always looking for support, and if this is something you have experience with, and can lend a hand, please let us know! 
