The Hale-Byrnes House, situated along the White Clay Creek, is a beautiful location to host small parties of up to 25 people. We've opened the downstairs section of the house to be available to rent for meetings and private parties of up to 25 people! To schedule your event or to receive more information about renting the Hale-Byrnes House, please visit our Rent the Hale-Byrnes House Page.

Members of the Hale-Byrnes House raised money in early 2022 to commission a painting of the famous Council of War held at the sit in 1777. The painting, called “Prelude to Brandywine,” was commissioned by Bryant White, a painter of Revolutionary War-era scenes and a reenactor. The painting was unveiled at a special ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022 at the Hale-Byrnes House and has remained in the front room of the Hale-Byrnes House since it's unveiling

George Washington did not stay at the Hale-Byrnes House, but he did hold a significant war council there on September 6, 1777 with his generals and others, including the Marquis de Lafayette. He and his officers met at the house under the shade of a Sycamore tree to strategize the defense of Philadelphia, which ultimately led to the Battle of Brandywine.

White Clay Creek gets its name from the white clay deposits that were found in its valley, which were used by the native Lenape people and later mined by settlers. The Lenape named the creek for these deposits, and Swedish settlers later translated the name to "Hwitlerskil," which the English then translated to its current name, "White Clay Creek". (Source: Wikipedia)

The Marquis de Lafayette's birthday was September 6, the same day as the Council of War. He turned 20 on that day.

On Saturday September 6, 1777, three days after the Battle of Cooch's Bridge, George Washington held a Council of War with his officers at the Hale-Byrnes House to determine how best to defend Philadelphia, then the Colonial Capitol. In one of the ironies of History, the Council of War was held at the home of a pacifist Quaker.