About the Innkeeper

When I discovered the Buck School, something inspired me to take on this project. The building had been abandoned and was derelict for 20 years. The trees were so overgrown it was hardly visible from the street. I suppose my keen appreciation of architecture and history piqued my interest. The renovation took two painstaking years. Every detail was a complex undertaking that challenged my patience to its limits. Yes, friends and family questioned my sanity! But I persevered knowing the end result was worth the effort. You can see the fruits of our labor in the construction photographs below. Now, my team and I work diligently to improve the physical property and the guest experience.

In addition to pursuing my passion project as an innkeeper, I also own an organic landscape company. In my free time, I enjoy organic cooking, cycling, sailing, hiking, and traveling.

– Mark

About the Inn

The Buck School Inn is one of Pennsylvania’s most enchanting accommodations. As a reconstructed schoolhouse, the Inn is bursting with old world charm. The original Buck School was built in 1840 and was a functioning school for more than 100 years. In the 1940’s it was converted into a residence that tragically became derelict.

In 2002, the current owner embarked on a historic renovation. The mid-19th century schoolhouse had been transformed into a completely new architectural masterpiece. Both interior and exterior spaces have been totally reimagined as a peaceful, private retreat. Besides the additional square footage and full renovation work, the restoration also used salvaged hand-blown glass glazed into new handmade wooden window sashes, historic plaster replication, and a new timber frame floor. The property served again as a private residence for 13 years until the Buck School Inn opened in 2015.

Today’s guests at the Buck School Inn will stay in one of three comfortable guest rooms – the School Room, the Van Gogh Room, or the Brandywine Suite. Each has a king bed and a private bath. 

The Buck School Inn also offers a spacious, shared living room, a lush sculpture garden for exploration, and beautiful landscaping which adorns the rest of the property.

Nestled in the heart of the scenic Brandywine Valley, the Buck School Inn is a peaceful setting less than an hour drive from downtown Philadelphia. Nearby are plenty of restaurants, museums, popular attractions such Longwood Gardens, and one of the top scenic drives in Pennsylvania.

The Brandywine Valley is a cyclist’s paradise, and the Buck School Inn is very bike friendly. Cyclists from all of the country have stayed here as they enjoy Brandywine Valley’s gentle curves and scenic views. Let us help guide you through some of the finest cycling the the United States.

Transformation of the Buck School