Early visitors to the Delaware Valley found vast areas of forested wilderness crossed only by the river, its tributaries, and a few Indian trails. Over time, the region was transformed beyond recognition, and Trenton, Philadelphia, Wilmington, and their suburbs came to form an almost continuous industrial city for 100 miles along the Delaware River. The story of the homestead and its changes is tied to the beginning of the nation, as the homestead began as a simple shelter and evolved in form and function with changing times. Today it stands as the centerpiece of a peaceful park and recalls both the nation’s past and a heritage of change.