Contact Us
The Highlands Mansion and Gardens
The Highlands Mansion & Gardens
7001 Sheaff Lane
Fort Washington, PA 19034
For general inquiries, you may fill out info
here and submit.
For educational program
questions and immediate attention, please
contact the executive director.
For wedding and event rental inquiries, photo permits and to schedule tours, please email rentals@highlandshistorical.org
Bill Thompson, President
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Ed Shinn, Vice President
Edmond R. Shinn is a construction and maritime attorney with offices in Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey. He represents the companies that are shaping today’s cities and skyline, and credits his time spent working alongside his father in the family's roofing business with developing his tireless work ethic and desire to champion for the trades. Since 2018, Edmond has been named a “Rising Star” attorney by Super Lawyer Magazine, which is awarded to the top 2.5% of attorneys under 40.
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A product of Germantown Academy and then Malvern Prep, Edmond graduated from Penn State as a Dean’s List student with a B.S. in Economics, and played on the DII ice hockey team, each year making a trip to Nationals. At Villanova Law School, Edmond proved an excellent writer and was selected as a staff writer on Villanova’s Sports and Entertainment Law Journal.
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Edmond is a lifelong resident of Fort Washington. Together with his beautiful wife, Lauren, they built a home alongside the Wissahickon for their daughters, Harper, Emersyn and Teagan, who adore the creek, the woods and the gardens at the Highlands, which led to him supporting the Highland’s preservation project. Edmond enjoys playing squash, walking a field with his bird dog, Hamilton, and fishing in Cape May aboard his family’s 26’ Regulator, the “Untethered”.
Dana Dorsey, Executive Director
Ten years ago, Dana Dorsey arrived at The Highlands to take on the position of caretaker, along with her husband and young son. Her love of this beautiful estate grew quickly as did her knowledge of its history. Over the years, she began leading historical tours of the mansion, helping to organize fundraising events, creating educational programming and booking event rentals as the estate manager. Since then, her family has grown by another son and a dog. Dana is now thrilled to have the opportunity to share her passion for The Highlands as the executive director. She takes the role seriously with care for the oversight of all historical matters as well as the fun side in meeting people in the community as they create their own memories here.
Tony Smith, Treasurer
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Lori Griswold, secretary
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Jose Ramos
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Hugh Moulton
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Linda Roberts
Having served 23 years on the Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association Board and almost 18 years on the Highlands Historical Society Board it's fair to say Open Space and Historical preservation are very important to me.
I guess it all began when my husband Ed and I bought his family's business which started in the 1930's with horse and wagon. We have replaced the horses with tractors and the business now includes our daughter and occasionally our 9 year old grand-daughter. We have also enjoyed restoring portions of the family home which was built in 1786.
Our family first became involved with the Highlands through Fox Hunting. Samuel Morris, father of Anthony Morris who built the Highlands, was one of the founding members of the first fox Hunting club in America. Our family was thrilled to help continue this tradition by taking horses and hounds through the property and supporting the annual Hunt Breakfast fund raiser.
The Roosevelt family, the last occupants of the Highlands, had bird dogs and would hunt doves and pheasants in the area. Several years ago we introduced a Working Dog Demo fund raiser at the Highlands. Our Labrador Retrievers demonstrated the skills that are needed to hunt game as the Roosevelt dogs would have done many years ago.
Our family's latest historical project is rebuilding and restoring a 200 year old log cabin on a remote forest lot in upstate PA. It is a place where our grand-daughter can not only "Visit The Forest" but have the opportunity to grow up in one much like her mother did.
It's our wish that other families will have the opportunity to enjoy the Highlands for its history and open space, it has certainly been a gift to the our family.
Wendie Steffens
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Rich Williamson
Rich Williamson is the owner a 150 year old professional costume
company. His company services film, TV, theatre, advertisers, and creates
iconic corporate and school mascots all over the world. With over 30 years
experience, he brings a wealth of creative ideas, marketing expertise,
business planning, and project management to The Highlands Mansion
and Gardens.
In the 1990’s, Rich founded an e-commerce company that manufactures
and sells professional Santa Claus supplies. As a leader in his industry, he
has extensive web, design, promotions, and e-commerce experience. He is
able to apply this experience to promote and increase exposure for The
Highlands.
Rich serves as the head of the Advancement committee. This committee
ensures that the organization's total development, marketing, and
communications programs are in line with the Highlands's strategic
direction and needs.
Rich’s home is landscaped with specimen plants and trees that inspired his
desire to get involved with The Highlands Mansion and Gardens. He loves
walking his dog on the grounds since it gives him a feeling of serenity, and
is one of the best green spaces around.
John DePaul
John joined Toll Brothers, Inc. in 2018 and oversees the Asset Management, Property Management and Brand Experience within Toll Brothers Apartment Living. With $5.2 billion in total development costs, Toll has 4,897 units stabilized or in lease-up and 9,615 units in development. Toll Brothers Apartment Living, built on the successes of Toll Brothers and the City Living division of Toll, specializes in luxury high-rise and high-density urban and suburban infill projects. Toll provides itself in exceptional customer service with a focus on innovation and hospitality. Toll has raised over $10 billion in corporate and joint venture financing over the past 6 years. John is a member of the executive committee and investment committee.
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John received a bachelor’s degree from Philadelphia University. He has been involved with several nonprofit organizations that focus on education, family and homelessness, including Roman Catholic High School, Friends in Action, Our Brother’s Place and the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. John is married, has five children and lives in Fort Washington, PA.
Matt Shearon
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John Farris
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Lucy Disston
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Jessica Scully
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Andy Rooke
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