Year Established: 1785
Built in 1785 by William Lamb in what was once known as Lamb’s Settlement, Willowbank is one of the oldest surviving homes in Bellefonte. The house was later enlarged by town founder James Harris, further cementing its place in Bellefonte’s early development.
The home gained new prominence when it was rented and eventually purchased by William Thomas, a Quaker ironmaster who moved his family to Bellefonte after joining the Valentine and Thomas iron operation. Originally known as Marlbrook, Thomas renamed the home Willowbank and lived there during the height of his industrial success.
In 1834, seeking a return to his simpler Quaker roots, Thomas gave up the grand estate and moved into the older portion of what is now the Thomas Homestead. Willowbank later served as the Bellefonte Home for the Poor, reflecting its shifting role in the community over time. Today, it is once again a private residence, rich with layers of Bellefonte’s industrial, social, and architectural history.
