Although persons are not yet able to visit the more-than-two-century-old historic Mickley-Prydun Farmstead, one of Whitehall Township’s treasured gems, the large crowd at Helfrich Springs Grist Mill Sept. 30 was treated to a program recreating what life was like in the 1700s.

Whitehall Township Mayor Edward D. Hozza Jr. spoke of the Mickley and Prydun families and presented a PowerPoint demonstration that allowed those attending to see what the 12-acre site and house looked like.

Ken Narsewicz, grandson of John Prydun, and Sue Mickley, married to R. Louis Mickley, an 11th generation of Mickleys, were also present.

Whitehall Historical Preservation Society, which will have a role in the Mickley-Prydun future, hosted Hozza’s presentation of the Mickley-Prydun family tree, its holdings and linking the past to the present.

The public got a glimpse of the historic farmhouse, its rooms, fireplaces and the lush green expansive grounds that border Coplay Creek.

The township obtained the farm and 12 acres with grants in 2013. Hozza, in his address, said the house is in good shape, but work needs to be completed before opening the property to visitors.

A study of Mickley-Prydun Farm should be completed in December, a must in order to be eligible for grant funding, Hozza related.

The protected open-space property holds 223 years of Whitehall Township history, it was mentioned.

Christian Mickley (1767-1812), son of John Jacob Mickey (1737-1808), built the original stone home, currently the summer kitchen. Peter Mickley (1795-1897), son of Christian Mickley, constructed the large farmhouse in 1836 near the original home. The farmhouse was built with a two-layer brick exterior, a mortise construction, and had a slate roof with three fireplaces and a new hearth in the kitchen, Hozza related. Then, Abraham Tilghman Mickley (1836-1896) lived at the homestead.

From 1879 to 1917, the exact ownership and occupants are undetermined, but research continues, Hozza said.

John Prydun obtained ownership in 1917, and in the 1980s, more than half of the farm was sold; the remaining land south of Coplay Creek remained with Mickley-Prydun homes and farm buildings.

Daughters of John Prydun, Mary Prydun-Poechmann (1924-2007) and Anna Prydun-Narsewicz (1928-1990), had lived at the farm.

Gerri and Ken Narsewicz, son of Prydun-Narsewicz, were caretakers of the homestead.

Hozza noted the house was unique with two main entrances. The first floor had a public parlor, office/library room and a dining room.

The Prydun family in the 1940s converted a side porch into a permanent kitchen and back porch. The family in the 1950s had the home brickcoated to prevent further damage to the mortar.

There are another two historical sites, Hozza said, that are being looked at as future sites for preservation. Hozza declined to identify the properties because it was premature and noted that decades ago the township lost several historic sites, some on Route 145/MacArthur Road, due to lack of commitment.

The Mickley-Prydun property is near Tate Meadows where foxes and deer can sometimes be spotted on the grounds. The Ironton Rail Trail borders the estate.