The Old House is located on Simpson Street in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, where Walnut Street and Shepherdstown Road converge. The home has been owned and maintained by one family since its construction began circa 1835. The home was originally built by Martin Rupp and Peter Barnhart as a wedding present for the marriage of their children, George Rupp and Elizabeth Barnhart. It is believed the home was built around an existing structure and plans were a modification of the blueprints used for the construction of Peace Church at the corner of St. John’s and Trindle Roads in Camp Hill, which was also built by members of the Rupp family. Martin and George were the son and grandson of Johannes Jonas Rupp. Johannes Jonas Rupp who was born October 23, 1729 O.S. in the Duchy of Baden and emigrated to Pennsylvania in 1751, first settling near present-day Annville in Lebanon County (then part of Lancaster County. In 1772 he purchased the "Providence Tract" in Cumberland County from George Thawley for 400 pounds. At that time, the tract included a log cabin and a log barn and included 15 acres of cleared land that was enclosed by a brush fence and saplings. In 1773 Jonas Rupp erected a new 1 1/2 story log house that continued to stand until at least 1875 and he also cleared an additional 100 acres of land over a ten year period. He initially joined the German Reformed Church at Trindle Springs in 1774 and the Lutheran congregation in 1775. He erected a new stone mansion across the road from the log house that had a central chimney in the traditional Germanic style in 1787. His new mansion also served religious gatherings of a variety of denominations, reflecting Jonas Rupp's latitudinarian religious proclivities. In 1798-1799 he contributed toward the German Reformed Peace Church where he served as an elder for the rest of his life. He and his wife Elizabeth had nine children named Jonas Jr (1756-1823) , Anna Maria (Mary)1752-1827, Maria Katherine (Katherine) (1762-1820), Maria Elizabeth (Elizabeth) (1762-1836), Johannes,1767-1844), Martin (1769-1843), George (1772-1848), Margarette (Margaretha) 1775-1851), and Jacob (1777-1801). (source: http://www.geni.com/people/Johannes-Jonas-Rupp/6000000000653721674)
For six generations the The Old House has been home to a family that embodies the spirit of entrepreneurship and embraces creativity sheltering Engineers, Surveyors, Bankers, Masons, Builders, Artists, Military Officers, Teachers, Union Organizers, Philanthropists, Attorneys, Civil Rights Pioneers and World Travelers. The home is currently the residence and personal offices of Dylan Gallucci, the Great Great Great Great Grandson of the original builders of the home. Dylan currently serves as President and Business Development Manager for Creekhouse Apps as well as the technology manager with The Bedorf-Prince Team of Coldwell Banker Select Professionals. The spirit of The Old House is not limited to professional matters as days of work give way to evenings of pleasure. On many nights and weekends The Old House serves as a gathering place for friends and family where stories and ideas flow as freely as the wine and food. The simple pleasures of life are relished and laughter IS the best medicine. Old House visitors find a place where music, art, literature, good food, better drinks, dogs, kids and all forms of innovation are appreciated. Narrow mindedness and negativity are not welcomed and those that would attempt to circumvent that restriction are best to reconsider, for there is no home for you here.
