Newtown, a quaint old town in Bucks County, traces its roots back to 1682, when William Penn purchased 5,000 acres of land from the Leni Lenape Indians. He named this land my “New Township”, which gradually evolved into Newtown.
Newtown’s history goes back to the very core of The Revolution, when George Washington headquartered in a small brownstone house on the southwest corner of Washington Avenue and Sycamore Street after the Battle of Trenton in 1776. When the house was hastily demolished by developers one night, it inspired a chain of events that resulted in the formation of the Newtown Historic Association. Newtown served as the county seat from 1726 to 1813.
Newtown boasts the first operational theater in America dating back to 1831. Since 1983 The Newtown Arts Company has presented 6 live shows annually at The Newtown Theater with its proceeds funding student scholarships in the arts. Information can be found at newtownartscompany.com.
In 2002, the movie Signs, starring Mel Gibson was partially filmed on State Street in Newtown. One scene was shot in the Newtown Book and Record Exchange and another was shot in Mom’s, a small bake at home pizza shop. The Army Recruiting Office was staged in a then empty storefront on the southeast corner of S. State Street and Penn Street.
Historically rich Newtown is enhanced by unique boutiques and shops, excellent restaurants, colleges, Tyler State Park, one of Pennsylvania’s most popular state parks, and a Heritage Walk that traces the very steps of George Washington. As you walk the wide sidewalks of historic downtown State Street, you feel the true sense of small town life. There’s always something going on in Newtown. For the past 15 years the Historic Presbyterian Church on Sycamore Street has hosted the annual strawberry festival in June. The Antique & Classic Car Show is held on State Street in July. Court Street and Centre Avenue is the place to be for Market Day in late September or early October. Candle making, rug braiding, woodcarving and other authentic colonial crafts are exhibited and sold.
Newtown, a nice place to live, shop and worship