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Front facade of 129 Bethlehem Pike, attributed to Samuel Sloan. This wonderful Italianate-style Victorian house was constructed in 1854. CHHS holds an easement on its facade.

The easement program encourages property owners within the Wissahickon watershed to donate potential development rights to CHHS, assuring that the properties never will be subdivided or developed in the future. Owners of historic structures also can donate façade easements, forever protecting architecturally significant buildings from inappropriate alterations or additions. Homeowners who donate easements help us keep Chestnut Hill beautiful, by caring for native wildlife and their habitats, safeguarding water quality, preserving important historic buildings and structures, and keeping open space in an ever-crowding region.

Along with protecting exceptional properties and historic façades, an added incentive to owners is that the value of the easement is usually considered a charitable contribution and may be taken as a deduction for federal income tax purposes.

If you are the owner(s) of property in or around Chestnut Hill that you would like to protect from future development, CHHS can help. We would be glad to help you put together a conservation or façade easement that meets your needs and vision for the future of your property. For more information, see our brochure entitled Protecting Your Land With A Conservation Easement, or contact us at CHHS, at 215-247-0417, x201, or at easements@chhist.org.