Most people would balk at renovating a 300-year-old home, but hospitality expert Ruth McKeaney didn’t think twice. In 2010, her best friend told her about a grand but dilapidated property outside Philadelphia. Despite its extensive damage, Ruth and her husband, Bob, saw its potential. They put in an offer and moved in three weeks later.
As they learned, the home had a rich history: Built in 1717, the property first served as a 300-acre dairy farm. In 1902, renowned architect Richardson Brognard Okie bought it for $15,000 and lived there with his family for over 40 years. After his death, over the next 70 years the farm fell into disrepair—the barn burned down, acreage was sold, and some outbuildings were nearly rubble. “We saw abandoned buildings and niches and prayed we would be good stewards,” Ruth says.
The renovation uncovered many problems like corroded cast iron pipes, leaky ceilings, and trees growing into the roof. Over three arduous years, the couple renovated the property, and the family now proudly calls it Hillside Farm.
Tour Ruth McKeaney's Charming Farmhouse
“It was a labor of love,” says Ruth, a mother of five. “We wanted the home to be filled with laughter, peace, and rest, all that represented our family.”
Ruth shared the renovation and go-to recipes in a 2020 book, Hungry for Home. From family gatherings in the spacious barn to cutting flowers from the garden, there’s never a dull moment. Good Housekeeping recently visited the home for a photo shoot. “My heart has always been about blessing people through your home,” says Ruth.
A version of this story appeared in Good Housekeeping's January/February 2026 issue. For more about Ruth’s projects, follow her at @hungryforhome on Instagram or visit her website, hungry4home.com. You can also watch Ruth's Homeworthy YouTube episode to see more of her home.
Monique Valeris is the home design director for Good Housekeeping, where she oversees the brand's home decorating coverage across print and digital. Prior to joining GH in 2020, she was the digital editor at Elle Decor. In her current role, she explores everything from design trends and home tours to lifestyle product recommendations, including writing her monthly column, "What's in My Cart."
