Historic Structures
The historic structures at Morris Arboretum & Gardens bring the story of the landscape to life. Explore charming buildings, stonework, and architectural details that reflect the Morris estate’s past and the vision and creativity of the people who shaped it. Each structure adds a new layer of character to the gardens and invites visitors to look more closely at the Morris and its history.
The Log Cabin
Visitors can step into the shoes of our founder, Lydia Morris, and take a trip back in time in the Log Cabin. From entertaining friends to enjoying quiet time on the porch watching the woodlands along the stream, Lydia used the Log Cabin as her private retreat. John Morris designed and ordered the construction of the cabin in 1908. Similar in style to the nostalgic vacation cabins of the Adirondacks, complete with a river-stone cobble chimney. The building was cool in the summer, and a fireplace provided warmth for the cold winter. The Log Cabin was later restored in 1995 and 2018, and remains an idyllic spot to enjoy spring bulbs and other short-lived native plants particularly.
The Springhouse
See one of the few remaining springhouses in Philadelphia and all its hidden treasures! This Springhouse pre-dates the Morris estate and can be traced back to when the property was first used as a dairy farm. In its home, alongside the spring-fed creek, the springhouse was used to store dairy products and other chilled perishables. However, the larger adjacent building remains a mystery. Its structural accents, like a chimney and fireplace, are speculated to have also been used for storage, dairy product preparations, or possibly even a smokehouse.
In 2004 this historical structure underwent a complex restoration. The stone walls were rebuilt, including a 38-foot wall with seating, granite steps, brick paving, new wooden beams to suggest a roof, and enhancements to the surrounding landscape.
The Springhouse complex offers a tranquil resting spot with an open view of the trees above. It lies close to the Azalea Meadow while also providing visitors with an opportunity to learn about an earlier era.
The Pump House
At the time of its construction in 1908, the Pump House was an integral feature of the estate. Its wheel powered a three-cylinder pump which pushed water uphill to a cistern in the tower of the former Compton mansion. It also provided water for grazing livestock, served to drain the meadow and was used to send water up the hill to the garden’s fountains. A 1917 City Water Map shows the Pump House was no longer in use, as all of the Morris's fountains were hooked up to the city water system by that time. The Pump House was renovated in 1994, and serves to greet visitors entering through the Northwestern Avenue entrance.
Springfield Mills
Springfield Mills and the Miller’s Cottage date back to 1761 and are the oldest architectural features at the Morris. Springfield Mills contains the most complete inventory of original flour mill works and related machinery of any mill in the area. The mill, with its Oliver Evans mill works, provides a unique view of 19th and early 20th century agriculture and milling in the Wissahickon Valley. Volunteers and staff are actively engaged in restoring the mill with the goal of renewing its water-powered operation. Springfield Mills is a contributing structure in the Morris’s National Register of Historic Places listing.
The connections between food consumption, food production and land use is hard to imagine in a society where supermarkets have become our main link to food. The role of mills in communities is largely forgotten or taken for granted. Springfield Mills creates a visual narrative of the social, economic and technological role mills play in food production and how important land conservation and plant variety are to assuring we have food on the table.
Farmers came from many miles to have their grain ground into flour. The Flourtown Village was the great wheat market of the eastern counties of the state around and north of Philadelphia.
The mill used water power for an array of functions including sawing timber, grinding flour and animal feed, generating electricity, running agricultural machines and pumping water to irrigate the fields.
Learn how to bake the Springfield Mills cornbread muffins →
The historic grist mill dates back to 1761 and is situated along the picturesque Wissahickon Creek. On a guided interactive tour, watch one-ton millstones grind corn kernels, observe 160-year-old machinery transport and sift ground corn to produce meal, and even grind your own flour on a pedal-powered mill. Free with Morris admission.
Volunteer at the Mill
Mill volunteers work to preserve the operation of the Springfield Mills by operating the mill for visitors to enjoy on weekend days in the spring and fall seasons. Volunteers lead tours on open mill demonstration days as well for groups that request a private tour through the education department.
We are currently not seeking Mill volunteers.
Mills of the Wissahickon Valley
The historic Wissahickon Valley was home to over sixty mills from colonial times to WWII. Springfield Mills is one of four remaining mills of the Wissahickon you can tour or visit. Explore all the mills of the Wissahickon.
Links to other local mills
Society for the Preservation of Old Mills (SPOOM) MidAtlantic Chapter
Horticulture Center
LEED® Platinum Certified Horticulture Center
Conserving natural resources to build a sustainable future.
This 20,840-square foot facility provides work space for the Morris’s horticulture, administrative, and facilities staff. The space provides the infrastructure needed to match the tremendous growth the Morris has experienced over the past 30 years and to address future expansion of the institution. The “green” elements of the Horticulture Center serve an even greater function, through providing unique opportunities to educate the public about the importance of protecting our natural resources.
The Horticulture Center is not open to the general public to visit without a class, tour, or event scheduled in advance. The general public is welcome and encouraged to schedule a prearranged visit to see the eco-friendly structure.