Surrounded by History
Tohi is where history lives in the landscape. Set in the woodlands of upper Bucks County, Pennsylvania, our 300-acre retreat offers more than quiet trails and natural beauty—it’s a place with deep roots. For centuries, this land has been shaped by those who walked it: early settlers, Revolutionary War soldiers, scouts, and families who came to camp, explore, and build community. Tohi continues to be a place where people come to reconnect—with nature, with each other, and with something lasting.
Long before European settlers arrived, the land now known as Tohi was part of Lenapehoking, the ancestral homeland of the Lenape people (also called Lenni Lenape or Delaware). The Lenape were known for their deep spiritual connection to the land, practicing sustainable agriculture, hunting, and fishing. They lived in seasonal villages along rivers and creeks, moving periodically to allow the land to regenerate.
In the 1600s, a Dutch shipbuilder became the first European to work this land, clearing fields and building the dry-laid stone walls that still crisscross the property today. His small stone house still stands, overlooking the creek—a rare, enduring marker of the area's colonial past.
During the Revolutionary War, the land took on new significance. Recent historical research indicates that Robert Mullen, proprietor of Philadelphia’s historic Tun Tavern—a prominent meeting place for revolutionaries, merchants, and military leaders—acquired this Bucks County property. Tun Tavern, established in 1685 near the Delaware River, is widely recognized as the birthplace of the United States Marine Corps. Mullen offered his land to support the Continental cause, and the property was used to house and train troops in the early stages of the rebellion. This chapter of Tohi’s story ties it directly to the broader fight for American independence.
In the 20th century, the property entered a new chapter as a site of outdoor education and community gathering. Tohi became one of the area’s earliest Boy Scouts of America camps. When the Boy Scouts moved on to establish the nearby Ockanickon Scout Reservation, the Girl Scouts took over the land and founded Camp Tohikanee, which welcomed generations of campers to hike, swim, sing, and grow up in nature.
Camp Tohikanee hosted a wide range of programming over the years. Girl Scouts came here for jamborees, service projects, leadership retreats, and badge ceremonies. The camp also served as a setting for weddings, family reunions, and seasonal celebrations—becoming a well-loved space for both everyday activities and meaningful milestones. It shaped generations of youth through hands-on learning and time spent in nature, leaving many with a stronger sense of confidence and purpose.
Today, Tohi is a refuge—for wildlife, for people, and for the history held within these woodlands. Whether you're walking by one of the stone-lined trails, standing beneath old-growth trees, or sitting quietly by the Tohikon creek, you’re part of a long history of people who have found meaning here.
We’re honored to continue that story—and welcome you to be part of it.
