The McKaig Nature Education Center is a 91.3 acre natural preserve featuring undeveloped woods & two creeks, offering three miles of hiking trails and hours of tranquility. It is under the watchful care of the Upper Merion Park and Historic Foundation (UMPHF). The UMPHF was founded by McKaig’s namesake and others in 1964 to preserve open space and historical places in Upper Merion.
Montgomery County identified McKaig as a site of local significance, a unique example of woodland within a densely populated area. The woods are noted for the diverse flora for this area of the County and the woods contains beech, black oak and chestnut oak.
The preserve was named after Annah Colket French McKaig who donated the initial 47 acres from lands that belonged to her ancestors as far back as 1709. With additional acreage added by her daughter and the cooperation of Upper Merion Township, the project culminated at Roberts School in May of 1978 with the unveiling of a placque to Annah French McKaig.
Alderbrook before its total destruction from an April 1, 1908 fire
The main house on the McKaig family estate, known as Alderbrook, still stands. It was built by Howard Barclay French. They had two children, Annah Colket French, and Coffin Colket French. Annah French (1886-1979) married Edgar Stanley McKaig (1886-1954), and they had a daughter, Marjorie French McKaig (1918-1979). Edgar was an attorney, involved in pharmaceuticals (Smith, Kline & French), and the family also developed French’s Mustard. King of Prussia Road was referred to as “French’s Hill” for years.
Rebuilt Alderbrook after the 1908 fire
You can read more about Alderbrook and the McKaig Family in the 2014 Winter issue of the King of Prussia Gazette, pages 5-6.
On Friday October 28th, McKaig is hosting Ghost Stories with a storyteller weaving local history into scary(ish) stories at 6:30-7:30 pm for elementary school age and 7:45 pm for older kids. Check their Facebook page for details.