The Printzhof

The Printzhof, located in Governor Printz Park in Essington, Pennsylvania, was the home of Johan Björnsson Printz, governor of New Sweden.

In 1643, Johan Printz moved his capital from Fort Christina (located in what is now Wilmington, Delaware) to Tinicum Island. At that time Fort Gothenburg was established in addition to Printz's dwelling and headquarters. Two years later a fire swept over the newly established settlement. The Printzhof was reconstructed more solidly and lavishly. The two-story log structure contained lumber sent from Sweden, glass windows and lavish draperies.

Johan Björnsson Printz, his wife and younger children returned to Sweden during 1653. The Dutch West India Company subsequently captured the Swedish colony in 1655.  Armegott Printz, the eldest daughter of Governor Printz, had married his successor, Lt. Johan Papegoja. She remained at The Printzhof even after the Dutch conquest. During 1662, she sold the estate for a partial down payment with the remainder due when she reached The Netherlands. When payment was refused, she returned to reclaim possession of her property. Ten years later in 1672, the Governor and Council ruled Armegott Printz should be in possession of the property. She subsequently sold the estate a second time and returned to Sweden where she died on November 25, 1695 at Läckö Castle.

Today, the Printzhof's stone foundations are the only remains of the settlement. The Printzhof site is located near the intersection of Taylor Avenue and Second Street in Essington, Pennsylvania. The site was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1961.

See also
List of European archaeological sites on the National Register of Historic Places in Pennsylvania

References

External links
Governor Printz State Park
Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
Governor Printz Park - Historical Marker Database
Tinicum - Historical Marker Database
Johan Printz - Historical Marker Database
New Sweden - Historical Marker Database

Category:Houses completed in 1643
Category:National Historic Landmarks in Pennsylvania
Category:Archaeological sites on the National Register of Historic Places in Pennsylvania
Category:New Sweden
Category:Swedish migration to North America
Category:Tourist attractions in Delaware County, Pennsylvania
Category:National Register of Historic Places in Delaware County, Pennsylvania
Category:1643 establishments in the Swedish colonial empire