Lahaska is a small village in central Bucks County. In the early 1800s it may have been called Hentown, although there is little information to verify that claim. The name "Lahaska" comes from the Lenni Lenape Indians and is generally taken to mean "place of the treaty."
Today, one of the most consipicuous aspects of Lahaska is a retail/tourist development called Peddler's Village. Starting from a chicken coop in the 1960's, it has been modified substantially. Although it does contain some old buildings, most if it really isn't old but was built to look that way. It covers an area of over 40 acres, with numerous shops and winding brick pathways through well-manicured gardens. Across the street from it are outlet shops, which were built when the flea-market grounds were razed.
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A view of Peddler's Village.
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Large crowds can often be found on weekends, such as this one in early December.
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Many lights are strung around the trees and buildings during the winter holiday season.
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Photo by Richard Hanauer
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The waterwheel located near the center of Peddler's Village.
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Photo by Richard Hanauer
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Another photo of the waterwheel.
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Carousel World is a relatively new addition to Peddler's Village and showcases a restored antique carousel. The carousel was built in 1922 and had been in storage for the 15 years prior to its resoration for Peddler's Village. Of the 89 carousels made by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company, this is one of the 26 that still exist. Before being retired, this carousel was originally in Pennsylvania, later moved to Oklahoma, and again moved to Florida. The animals are not original, though--they had long been removed, so a master wood carver used turn-of-the century wood-carving techniques to fashion new figures.
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This is a photo from the Strawberry Festival, held each spring at Peddler's Village. According to their official website, the festival is described as: "Craftspeople gather to show their wares and demonstrate their skills. Strawberries served up in various forms - dipped in chocolate, in assorted pastries and shortcake, jams, fritters and fresh and unadorned. Live entertainment and pie-eating contests add to the festivities of this traditional Spring celebration."
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Another photo from the Strawberry festival.
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Another photo from the Strawberry festival.
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Photo by Richard Hanauer
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The scarecrow festival is an another event at Peddler's Village every autumn.
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Photo by Richard Hanauer
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Another scarecrow.
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Photo by Richard Hanauer
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A pirate scarecrow.
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Photo by Richard Hanauer
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Pumpkins, gourds, and autumn flowers at Peddler's Village.
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Photo by Richard Hanauer
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A dixie band playing during the scarecrow festival.
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Photo by Richard Hanauer
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Another picture of the dixie band.
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This is the Buckingham Friends Meeting House, located near Peddler's Village. A meeting house was originally built there in 1706, made of logs. In 1720 a stone addition was made to the structure and in 1768 it burned down and the current structure was built in its place.
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Buckingham Friends was used as a hospital during the Revolutionary War and is mentioned for this purpose in this original letter mentioning the Buckingham Friends meeting house written by George Washington.