The Francis Cope House
The Cope House serves as the administrative headquarters of the Awbury Arboretum Association. Visitors are welcome to tour the first-floor hallway, parlors, and interpretive room during business hours. Offices are on the second and third floors. Please check our Hours & Admission page for more details.
The History
In the mid-19th century, Philadelphia shipowner Henry Cope sought a peaceful retreat from city life and found it in East Germantown, then a rural haven beyond the boundaries of Philadelphia. In 1854, he built a summer home on 40 acres of rolling farmland, creating a sanctuary for himself, his wife Rachel, his two married sons Francis and Thomas and their families, and a daughter, Ruth Anna.
Inspired by their English roots, they named the estate Awbury, a nod to their ancestral village of Avebury, Wiltshire. As the family expanded, so did the estate, with new homes built across the land. By 1861, Henry’s eldest son, Francis, and his wife, Anna, made Awbury their permanent home, marking the beginning of a legacy that would endure for generations.
Francis Cope's Life
Francis Reeve Cope (born June 6, 1821) was a man of vision, leadership, and deep community ties. A Haverford College alumnus (1835-1838), he married Anna Stewardson Brown on December 16, 1847, and built a legacy that shaped both business and education in Philadelphia.
An influential figure, he served as Director of the Insurance Company of North America (1864) and the Lehigh Valley Railroad while remaining an active member of Germantown Monthly Meeting. His passion for education led him to a 33-year tenure as an Overseer of the William Penn Charter School, where he played a key role in securing the Pinehurst tract in western Germantown—paving the way for the school’s relocation in 1925.
Beyond this, Cope contributed to the boards of Bryn Mawr College, Friends Asylum, and Haverford College, leaving a lasting mark on Philadelphia’s academic and philanthropic landscape. After his passing on November 6, 1909, his heirs honored his legacy by donating Awbury to the city in 1916, ensuring its beauty and history would be preserved for future generations.
Style
The Francis Cope House stands as a timeless testament to both elegance and simplicity, built from locally quarried Wissahickon schist just across Washington Lane. Its Victorian architecture exudes charm without extravagance, embodying the Quaker ideals of grace and understated beauty. Spacious yet unassuming, the home reflects a deep appreciation for craftsmanship, nature, and the enduring spirit of Awbury.
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