The Harriton Association is a non-profit organization that exists to educate the public and to promote and preserve the 1704 Harriton House, an early colonial estate in Lower Merion Township, Pennsylvania.The Association offers programs that center around the life, philosophy and, ideals of Charles Thomson who lived at Harriton between 1789 and his death in 1824. A scholar, philosopher, and gentleman farmer, Charles Thomson, was Secretary to the Continental and Confederation congresses and in this role designed the great seal of the United States and orchestrated the process of the 13 Colonies becoming the United States of America. An abolitionist, activist, and great friend to Native Americans, he was known as “Weg-woo-law-mo-end (phonetic spelling)” or “The man who stands and tells the truth.” A little-known founding father, Charles Thomson retired to Harriton House after delivering the news to George Washington that he was to become the first President of the United States. During his years living at Harriton House, Thomson delved into beekeeping, farming, animal husbandry, and his great love, scholarship. At Harriton, we provide classes for traditional 18th and early 19th century crafts such as beekeeping, bookbinding, and spinning. We also offer community garden plots for our members, farm animals in the former Dairy barn, as well as educational events scheduled throughout the calendar year. All that we offer serves to weave together a portrait of Charles Thomson’s life at Harriton House.