Many buildings have stood on Tyler Arboretum’s land throughout its storied past. Several are still standing and in good use, while others are now ruins that require a closer look to find.

Here’s a guide to 12 historic structures you can see on a visit to Tyler Arboretum, both on the 100 acres inside of our deer-exclusion fence and on the 550 acres of natural lands that can be traversed via 17 miles of hiking trails.

1. Our Historic Barn, circa 1833

When you follow the entrance path that emerges from the Visitor Center at Tyler Arboretum and look to your right, you see before you the first of the historic landscapes that represent Tyler Arboretum’s past. Tyler’s imposing Pennsylvania Bank Barn is before you, built by Enos Painter in 1833 to support his growing and quite lucrative dairy business. The barn is now used extensively for weddings, events, and meetings throughout the year.

2. Lachford Hall, circa mid-1730s

If you then look around you, you will see in the distance the yellow stucco of Lachford Hall, built in the mid-1730s by the third generation of the Minshall family who lived on the land. By the later 1700s, more space was needed to accommodate the growing Minshall family and the hall was expanded. As you stand on the patio facing the house and look closely, you will see that the left side of Lachford Hall (the original house) looks a little different from the right side (the addition).

Today Lachford Hall serves mainly as offices for Tyler Arboretum staff.

3. Painter Library, circa 1863

Next to Lachford Hall is the Painter Library, built in 1863, to house the scientific equipment, books, ledgers, and collections of Minshall and Jacob Painter. Minshall and Jacob were the bachelor Quaker brothers who were responsible for many of the beautiful trees and shrubs that you find in today’s arboretum.

4. Cistern, circa 1864

As you were looking at the barn, perhaps you also noticed the mound covering the freshwater cistern. This circular masonry cistern was built by the Painter Brothers and used to supply fresh water to Lachford Hall and the Painter Library. The cistern was filled from the spring house that can be seen below the Lachford Hall patio and by another springhouse that was near Lucille’s Garden.

5. Stone House, circa 1930s

A little further on the Scenic Loop, just past the grand Kentucky Coffee Tree, you will find Stone House, a “recent” addition from the 1930s, commissioned by Laura Tyler to house the arboretum caretaker and his family. Today Stone House serves as office space for Tyler Arboretum staff.

6. Greenhouse, circa 1871, & Carriage House, circa 1861

Just north of Lachford Hall, the two-level Greenhouse is found. This was known as the “grapery,” built by Minshall and Jacob Painter in 1871 to grow fruit and vegetables during the winter months along with tropical plants. As you continue down the main path, you find the Carriage House, built by Minshall in 1861. This two-story, two-bay hay-wagon shed was built with post and beam construction and board-and-batten siding.

Click here to learn more about Tyler’s history of greenhouses.

7. Springhouse, circa 1798

The Springhouse below Lachford Hall was constructed in 1798 to store dairy and butter during the summer months. It would occasionally run dry in summer, forcing the family to use the springhouse near Lucille’s Garden. When repairs were needed in the 1930s, the roof line was changed to run east and west rather than north and south. This can be seen in the accompanying photos.

8. Fruit Vault, circa 1858

A few steps past the Carriage House on the Scenic Loop, follow the mulched path on your right. Descend the stairs to find the door to the Fruit Vault as you look to the left. Minshall and Jacob Painter built the Fruit Vault in 1858 in order to store apples and vegetables prior to sending them to market. There were problems with excessive moisture but repairs in 1859 and then again in 1867 corrected most of the problems, although it remained a damp environment.

To see the rest of Tyler’s historic landscapes, you will need to go outside the deer fence. The foundations of the cottages lived in by various family and tenant farmers can sometimes be seen on Tyler’s hiking trails, especially when the summer vegetation has died away.

9. Middle Farm (ruins), circa 1802

Trail: Rocky Run (Blue) Trail

Look for the remains of Middle Farm built in 1802. Jacob Painter lived and farmed here from 1846-1857 and then moved to Lachford Hall to live with his brother Minshall. Ann Tyler spent many summers here with her two sons.

These ruins are the most challenging to spot, but after a snowfall, you may be able to make out the raised outlines of the foundation on the landscape.

10. Valley Cottage (ruins), circa 1823

Trails: Dismal Run (Orange/White) Trail

Look carefully and perhaps you will spot the remains of Valley Cottage, aka Briant’s Cottage, built in 1823 by Enos Painter. This cottage was initially a tenant farm and was then rented as a residence until the early 1940s.

11. South Farm Stone Barn (ruins), circa 1840

Trails: Close to the intersection of the Pink Hill and Minshall Trails (Pink and White)

You will easily see what remains of the 1840 South Farm stone barn, another homestead for tenant farmers. South Farm was first rented in 1804 with a stone and frame barn, which burned to the ground following a lightning strike in 1839. For safety reasons, the upper stories of the South Farm barn were taken down in June 1994.

“Indian Rock” (Photo by Mei McNeill)

12. Indian Rock

Trails: Where the Rocky Run, Minshall and Painter Trails (Blue, White and Red) meet to cross Rocky Run

At this intersection, you will probably want to stop and take a close look at “Indian Rock.” The rock’s unique carving has unknown origins, but it is likely to have been a compass pointing north carved by the Down River people of the Lenni Lenape tribe who inhabited this land long before English settlers arrived.

This rock is also a reminder of our mission and obligation to hold to our own “true north,” to protect and conserve the historic landscapes that represent our physical connection to the past at Tyler Arboretum.

Plan Your Visit

Whether you’re looking for a peaceful walk on the Scenic Loop or an adventurous day on the trails, Tyler Arboretum is ready to welcome you in all seasons!

• Looking for an extra challenge? Try the Tyler Trail Challenge — hike all 17 miles by December 31, 2025, and celebrate your accomplishment!
• Pro Tip: Members enjoy unlimited daily admission — the best way to experience all 17 miles at your own pace, all year long.
• Plan your visit to Tyler Arboretum today.

8 Things to Know Before You Hike at Tyler