Where History Meets Hospitality
Olde Ridge Village brings the past into the present. The land was once part of a 52-acre farmstead in the late 1800s. The original yellow farmhouse, built in 1869, still stands today. Only one outbuilding remains from the original property. The former wagon house features pegged rafters and a brick-and-stone foundation. It now serves as one of the Village Shoppes, home to GiggyBites Bakery for Dogs.
Ridge Road was once called Kaolin Road. It led to the Kaolin Works, known for exporting white potter’s clay worldwide. Early settlers helped shape the area, including William Brinton and Francis Chadsey. Chadsey’s son John founded the first ferry across the Brandywine, creating the name Chadds Ford.
By the early 1900s, Chadds Ford became a popular summer retreat. Artist Howard Pyle taught nearby and inspired the Brandywine School of Art. That tradition continued through three generations of Wyeths.
Today, the Brandywine Valley invites discovery. Scenic roads lead to inns, historic paths, and Olde Ridge Village Shoppes. Welcome to the Brandywine Valley. History lives here, and every visit tells a story.