Ivystone, Standing Tall Through Time

Beyond a cul-de-sac of single-family structures erected within the last 20 years on Pomona Lane, appears to be a secret path, which leads to a five-acre patch of privacy, where it has prevailed for nearly 255 years.

The prominent stone house is set back among century-old trees, which curtain the  building, with gray-green ivy creeping over it—and so, the name Ivystone.

It was built by Thomas Lippincott, a prominent Quaker, in the period of 1754 to 1756, and it is the oldest structure in Cinnaminson. It's also one of the most history-filled homes in Burlington County.

And, it is for sale.

“I love the privacy we have back here,” said Lisa Joyce, the current owner of Ivystone, along with her husband, Tom. “Some long-time residents don’t know this house exists.” 

Lisa flipped through copies of vintage photographs fondly given to each owner through the years as keepsakes. The photos tell silently of the days of yore, some showing a boy in breeches and a girl in a long shapeless cotton dress.

Lippincott and his wife, Mary, raised three sons and two daughters in the manor, which was at that time in old Chester Township. Originally, Lippincott and his sons built the frame portion of the house, which made up a hall, sitting room and kitchen on the first floor, and bedrooms on the second and third floors.

The eye is cast upward at the grand moldings enhancing the doorways, which are smaller in comparison to today’s openings, but keeping with the house’s original hoof marks.

“My husband who is over 6 feet,” laughed Joyce, “has to duck each time he comes through.”

The country kitchen, with a mix of browns and beiges, allows a generous view of the outstanding backyard, where two original barns and an in-ground pool sit between more trees. A springhouse, a smaller building, was used for refrigeration purposes before the advent of refrigeration.

“They used to keep ice in there,” said Joyce. “It would keep meats cold, too.”

An iron bell, which still hangs, was rung outside of the main home or “plantation house” to summon the field hands of the 1,000-acre farm, where sweet potatoes, turnips, berries and peaches were harvested and whose nearest neighbors were Indians. Part of the land owned by Lippincott was called his “West Field”—hence, the name where Westfield Friends School remains today.

As the family expanded, the farm shrunk, with acres being sold. A stone addition was constructed adding a formal living room and additional bedrooms in 1800, the year chiseled onto the stone facade to commemorate the event.

After Lippincott died, Samuel L. Allen bought the farm and continued raising crops. Allen, an inventor, became engrossed in manufacturing farm equipment—one, the Planet farm planter, an early fertilizer-type implement—all produced at his factory at 5th and Glenwood streets in Philadelphia.

Allen, being an early visionary, happened upon another idea while watching his young children play on the snowy hills at Ivystone. Allen invented the Flexible Flyer sled and exhibited it at the Chicago World’s Fair in 1892. He was able to sell them in the toy departments of Wanamaker’s and R.H. Macy department stores. The sled invention was fortuitous, and Allen was able to build a larger home in Moorestown, presently the Lutheran Home.

After the Allens sold the property, the Shea family bought it and raised their family there. Then, the Montell family owned it for some time.

In 1953, a family room, which today has a cozy potbelly stove, was added to the home by the Stewart family and more of the land was sold. During this time, Cinnaminson saw a huge jump in population, with the coming of housing developments.

After that, Burt and Margaret Ross acquired Ivystone in 1957.

“They named their popular motel up on Route 130 in Pennsauken, the Ivystone Inn, after this house,” said Joyce.

The Zerillo family were the next to raise four lively children in the home and subsequently, sold it to the Joyce family 10 years ago.

Nowadays, the home retains the aura of days gone by, but with the animation of contemporary life. The three Joyce kids’ bedrooms are decorated with sports memorabilia, themed bedding and novelty items.

Since living in the home, Joyce and her husband  have enjoyed the solitude and seclusion the house has afforded them. But, over the ensuing years, they, thoughtfully, have decided to downsize into a smaller home.

“My kids are almost grown,” said Joyce, whose youngest will be the only one home next year. “It might make sense to make a change.”

The house is listed with , in Moorestown.

So, Ivystone with any luck will homestead another family, chronicle more stories and continue to contribute to the annals of local history.

“We have had wonderful memories in this home,” said Joyce. “It will always be a special place.”