What a cool hidden gem in Valley Forge National Park! I took a tour of this museum in November 2025. Our tour guide was knowledgeable and intriguing as he guided us around the property and inside the home/studio. Esherick was extremely talented and it was incredible to see his stunning creations. Tips: The tour is inside and outside so dress accordingly. There are steps inside the building. Booking ahead is required and tour group counts are limited. read more

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Visiting the Wharton Esherick Museum in Malvern had been on my to do list for a while, but the tours sell out, and I've missed out on visiting a couple of times! Last week, I planned a last minute day trip to the Philadelphia area and noticed that they had exactly four tickets still open on tours for the rest of the month and they were for the upcoming Saturday at 11am. It was a sign, and I jumped on buying those tickets. How to explain the Wharton Esherick Museum?! Wharton Esherick was an American artist and designer (he's best known for his modernist wood furniture), and - while not a trained architect - he designed this house and studio compound (of four separate buildings) in Malvern to live and work in. By the time he was adding a workshop to the compound in 1955, building codes had made their way into law and Esherick got help from none other than Louis Kahn to help design that building. So what will you see if you visit? Just an incredible home and studio. Esherick was not into straight lines or right angles or wasting perfectly good wood, so the house and studio is an amazing sight: that staircase! the wood floor in the dining room! the concrete extension painted in colors that blend into the natural surroundings! the art and furniture pieces of Esherick's shown throughout the house! It's a hard place to describe, but our tour guide did a marvelous job of teaching us about Esherick and the buildings during our tour, while sharing some woodworking facts and passion, too! Reservations for the tours are required, and they do sell out. Regularly. There's an exhibit on Esherick at the Brandywine right now, and that might be generating more interest than usual in seeing his home and studio - or maybe tours of this amazing place are always this popular?! We did the Experiencing Esherick Tour, which takes you into the home and studio building and lasts about an hour. They offer some specialized tours of more limited days as well - I will definitely be visiting again for the architecture tour which takes you into at least one additional building you don't see on the general tour! The house? Fascinating. Our tour guide? Lovely. The grounds? Beautiful even in December. And a lovely little gift shop in Esherick's old garage where you can do some holiday shopping? Bonus. What's not to love about the Wharton Esherick Museum? I know I'll be returning to bring friends and family to this wonderful place in the future. read more

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Another spot that I wish more people were aware of, this museum is a glimpse into the life of a fascinating artistic polymath. If you have any interest in architecture, woodworking, or even just the general history of the area, this place is a requirement. read more

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When someone suggests visiting Wharton Eshrick Museum... Do it! Pennsylvania has some gems and charms... and this IS one. You will tour the home /studio of Wharton Esherick ( 1887 - 1970) + hear his very special contributions. Consider his time frame! He and his wife Leticia bought property in 1913. He built is studio up on the hill part of his land. You will get to see this! IMHO It's a thrill to see his imaginative mind's creation and inside his delightful curving furnishings. Pleasing to the eye. What skill and precision. His furniture was on display at the WORLDS FAIR. He was before his time. His paintings were lovely. And how wonderful it was that he discovered his true calling with his woodworking. His two buildings you tour are amazing. To hear his story is delightful. His works paintings, woodblock prints, and everything he did with wood... all of it. What an amazing American Story. read more

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Though I'd heard the museum mentioned on WRTI once or twice, they mention a lot of museums, and it just never registered how close this one was (for us to make the effort to see it). What led us to actually visit was me doing online research to find wood carving shows in the area, and the Wharton Esherick Museum's annual competition came up. Well, we got reservations for the following day and it made for a great Memorial Day outing. We drove past the place on our first pass, and had a lot of trouble finding it, even when we doubled back. I presume that this is so hard to find because of fussy neighbors, based on what I know of the residents nearby. Perhaps it is also because of the museum policy of reserved tours, and they don't make themselves obvious to prevent drop-ins? Anyway, I mention this to be helpful because there was no head's up about the clandestine-ness of the location when I looked at the website, so just be on the lookout, it helps. I was impressed to hear about all the Esherick pieces that are in the Met. Our guide didn't mention any of his pieces at the PMA, which I'd have loved to hear about because I don't remember seeing any there, but they do have some. (I am sure that the guides have so much info they can't possibly give it all in one tour, and they probably vary it to keep their job interesting, I understand. Not meant as a criticism, as our guide was excellent.) But upon my own Google search, I see a lot of prints and some sculptures, at the PMA, possibly more. So he is represented locally, which is great. Hopefully downtown the didactic info explains about his home/museum in Malvern, so people there know about the added place to visit. As many have already stated, the home is extremely artistic, unique, and interesting. Our neighbor growing up actually built his home himself, and did custom artistic woodwork throughout, including cabinets, furniture--down to the whittled toilet paper holder--all in WE's style... I always credited the neighbor with such talent, until I realized he just copied WE. I mean, it was the same style, same details, same cabinets, same wood types, it was definitely straight up copying WE. It's still a feat and cool, but if you are capable why not make your own art? Anyway, just a weird feeling for me to be there because I felt like I already knew the house (since there is an attempted replica in Media). Though I felt I knew it already, going through the WE museum, there will be so many little details to notice, you could stay for hours. The atmosphere was really peaceful and pleasing. I felt really comfortable in his environment. And though the home had many comforts and handy artist inventions, it did lack the contemporary "modern conveniences" for its own day (like a bathroom). Esherick's dedication to natural materials, and a nature-inspired life really showed, and felt wonderful to experience. Saw the museum featured on Groupon shortly after we'd gone. So this is good to know about, to grab for future visits. Reservations are required in advance. You will get a docent to lead your group of about 6 people (or fewer). Very intimate and informative this way, and it allows you to ask many questions. Neat Local Trivia: Esherick, though situated in the northern region of Malvern, was actually very active with artisans from Rose Valley, adjacent to Media (during Rose Valley's Arts & Crafts heyday), and his wife and daughter were extremely active at Hedgerow Theater, and were among those who lived at Hedgerow for a number of years. read more

The Wharton Esherick Museum - Located down a small private road in a residential neighborhood. Look for the small brown sign, it can be very hard to find. - Museums Near Me - Malvern, Pennsylvania

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This place is absolutely amazing! I agree with so many others, the best-kept secret in such a hot spot for historical spots. The home/studio of Wharton Esherick is available to walk through and ask questions to the very experienced and knowledgeable volunteers that are positioned around the house. A very beautiful building that would make Dr. Suesse Jelouse. The craftsmanship is really something that you need to see up close and personal. The only reason I took away a star is that $12 per person is a bit on the high side for some people, especially families or people bring guests from out of town. One member of the family still lives in the other larger building on the property, if/when that building is also availible to tour I think that would warrent the $12. read more

Best kept secret for local historical gems!!! Great place to take out of town guests!

Amazing artist and clearly ahead of his time. Excellent tour guide. Surrounding area as interesting as the museum - beautiful. Never really thought of furniture as art before, but I do now! read more

Wharton Esherick's motto "If it isn't fun, it isn't worth doing," is evident in the joyful expression of his work displayed at the National Historic Landmark for Architecture, his hilltop studio/residence. Here, more than 200 of his works are on exhibition and preserved much as it was when Esherick lived and worked there. It is open to public guided tours for which reservations are required. It is a "must see" attraction for anyone interested in the creative arts. read more

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I've been from Philly my whole life and never knew about this Treasure! This is by far the best Museum that I have been to! It is tucked away in the woods of Paoli/Malvern area. You would never see it, unless you were looking for it. The ride through the back roads is amazing, too, particularly in the Autumn/Fall. The colors are spectacular! The staff at the museum are friendly and very knowledgeable, especially Ashley. She guided our tour (which you need to make a reservation) in and out of the house. Esherick carved and made the most beautiful wood carvings that I have seen. His offbeat way of designing and carving are amazing and beautiful. Walking through the residence was like going back in time to a Gingerbread house! Ashley encouraged everyone to feel and touch everything (except the padded furniture-not for sitting, just for show). The staircase and dinning room floor were the very impressive! His sense of nature was evident throughout the main house as well as the studio and show room. By all means...you should visit this place and soak in the esthetics, the nature and the welcoming from the folks who work there. read more

This incredible museum is the former home of the late Wharton Esherick, who was a master sculptor and woodworker, among other things. My words don't do his art justice, so just go see for yourself. Anyone interested in woodworking, architecture, design, sculpture, or any related field will find his work so refreshing and inspiring. You need to make reservations in advance, and you'll get a 1-1.5 hour tour by a knowledgeable docent. There is a little gift shop that sells prints, books, etc. The website of the museum is here: http://www.whartonesherickmuseum.org/ read more

Our family really enjoyed our tour today with Laura through the artist's studio and home! There were so many beautifully crafted items to see and touch. Laura welcomed our questions and there was plenty of time to look around and take pictures. It was impressive to see Esherick 's unique vision in the furnishings, art and architecture. read more

This place is totally worth the trip. Before I arrived, I found it hard to imagine why the tour could last an hour when it seemed like a (relatively) small house museum. I left the tour thinking I could come back several times and there would still be more things I'd like to focus on and ask questions about. Esherick created some fascinating pieces but the most interesting aspect is how he created his studio/home as one large extension of his artistic work. The building is filled with his individual pieces, but I found the house itself even more interesting as he took basic, everyday elements of a house and re-imagined them as sculptural elements. From his staircase to his kitchen floor to his cabinetry, he made each of them a work of art. Go and see for yourself. read more

This is an amazing place. If you're a woodworker there is no lack of inspiration here. It can be a little tricky walking around but the staff is very friendly and willing to help out. Can't wait to go back to take it all in again. read more

Amazing place, tour lasted just over an hour, too much to see in that short time. There isn't a right angle in the place. Don't miss the outhouse in the woodshed. I wish there were outside trails to hike. Ride from NJ was horrendous thru Phila suburbs. 322 to 252 is the way to go to avoid Lancaster Av. read more

Extraordinary property. Excellent guide. Marvelous experience. Hadn't been there in 40 years. It's just as breathtaking as I remembered.

This man loved to work with wood and curves. What a great combination. I just wanted to touch everything! The staircase was amazing and just that alone was worth the trip. read more

This small museum is a MUST SEE when in the area - even the locals don't know about this extraordinary place! Call two days in advance to make an appointment. Who is Wharton Esherick? You will know everything about this incredible man by the time you leave. Extremely passionate & knowledgeable volunteer docents give small group tours - so the $12 per person spent was an incredible value. Our family group had a woodworker, an artist, an engineer, a senior citizen, and two college students - every single one of us walked away (nearly two hours later) awestruck . . . even our reluctant 18 yr. old son. Photos & website could never do this unusual former home justice. You'll want to spend a few more dollars in the gift shop to preserve the memories!! read more

A true treasure. This is the home of a master woodworker & carver who constructed his magnificent home in the rural county of Paoli. The craftsmanship that is put into every detail of the building, furniture and out buildings is a masterpiece worth visiting. Many of his original wood block prints decorate the home along with his wood sculpture & furniture. An art lovers, wood workers and architectures aficionados haven. read more