Fernhill

In 1849, McKean purchased the land that would become the Fernhill estate from Louis Clapier. Back then, it lay four miles northwest of the city limits, "beautifully situated on the first ridge of ground of that long succession of ridges, which, mounting constantly higher, run parallel with each other with short undulating intervals through Germantown, Mount Airy and Chestnut Hill, some five miles distant on the west and north, where the ground then falls away to the beautiful White Marsh Valley".

McKean demolished the house built there by Mr Clapier and replaced it with the stone, towered mansion seen in the pictures. However, he retained Clapier's barn which, "from its size and unique character, and great ship which acts as a vane above it (was) one of the best known features of the country round about". The view from the house took in all of Philadelphia, the Delaware River, and the faraway country in New Jersey.

During the winter, McKean and his son, Thomas, occupied the twin McKean houses at the corner of 20th and Walnut Streets in Philadelphia. By 1890, the Fernhill estate not only remained in tact but had been increased in size. But, industry grew ever closer and in the early 1900s Henry's grandson, H. Pratt McKean, moved from Fernhill to in Horsham. He also demolished his grandfather's old home in Philadelphia (one of the twin houses) to build the Stotesbury Mansion. Having been left unoccupied, the mansion at Fernhill was eventually demolished in the late 1950s but the the grounds were recently opened as a public park under the Fairmount Park Commission and continue to be enjoyed today.