Boarders and Stewards

 The Boarders and Stewards of the Monastery (BSM) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that stewards the historic Monastery complex in partnership with and under the oversight of the Fairmount Park Conservancy. Our mission is to support all Philadelphians and visitors to Fairmount Park by preserving the cultural history of the Monastery complex and its legacy of horseback riding and carriage driving, and to conduct and promote equine recreational and educational activities for the benefit of the diverse Philadelphia community and beyond.

Situated on five acres at the end of Kitchen’s Lane in the Wissahickon Valley, the Monastery complex includes five historic structures: a mansion dating to 1747, a late-18th-century barn, a millworker’s cottage with its own barn, and a springhouse. Together, these buildings serve as a vivid reminder of 18th- and 19th-century life in the Philadelphia region and represent an important cultural and architectural legacy within Fairmount Park.

BSM preserves and maintains this remarkable property while continuing the long-standing tradition of horseback riding and carriage driving in the Wissahickon Valley. The Monastery is home to one of the few thriving horseback riding and boarding facilities within the City of Philadelphia, providing access to equine recreation in an urban setting.

As a nonprofit organization, BSM relies on donations and community support to preserve and improve the historic buildings and maintain the grounds for public enjoyment. Ongoing stewardship includes essential capital improvements such as roofing, masonry, plumbing, fencing, electrical work, and responsible land management to ensure the site remains safe, accessible, and historically intact for generations to come.