historic homes: Learn About New Variety of Chestnut Trees in Bethel Township Tuesday - 01/28/13 07:09 AM
Bethel Township Preservation Society presents Special Guest Speaker Albert Eelman 7:30 PM at the John L. Myers Memorial  Township Building, 1082 Bethel Road Garnet Valley, PA 19060 Tuesday January 29th. Albert Eelman is a long‐time member of the American Chestnut Foundation and past  president of the PA chapter.  The foundation's mission is to restore the  American Chestnut tree to the Appalachian forests.  The American Chestnut was completely wiped out from Maine to Georgia between 1904 and 1940.  The rapid spread of the blight wiped out one‐quarter of all the hardwoods in the eastern United States. They are breeding a tree that … (0 comments)

historic homes: Bethel Twp. Preservation Society Brings DE County History to Life - 01/27/13 10:38 AM
I’d like to say a few words about the good folks at the Bethel Township Preservation Society. Although they are just 5 minutes across the PA/DE state line from my home, I had never attended one of their events. I knew that one of my former clients now living in a Delaware Historic Home, the Penny House, was a member because of her past ties, but it was a nice occasion at their Open House on Saturday to get acquainted with the Society members and see some of their artifacts, slides, and albums (and sample some of Lois’ delicious pizzelles!). Pictured … (2 comments)

historic homes: Holiday Parties Shown at Winterthur Museum - 12/19/12 11:53 AM
I promised you more pictures from the Yuletide at Winterthur tour, and here they are. The first picture is of a party inspired by the Hudson River Valley tales of Washington Irving. The staff has changed the look of this room and added an early court cupboard from the early period rooms at the museum.  
A room that formerly held New York furniture features a table set à la Russe. Service à la russe (French, "service in the Russian style") is a manner of dining that involves courses being brought to the table sequentially. It contrasts with service à la … (6 comments)

historic homes: Green News:Young Preservationist Proves Replacement Windows Not Better - 11/23/12 07:12 AM
The window salesman who stopped by the 1917 Dutch Colonial home of Ann and Gary Linley probably has no idea that he was the inspiration for a sixth-grade science fair project. But after 12-year-old Daniel Linley of Elkhart, Ind. overheard his father turn down the salesman’s pitch to replace his historic sash-and-storm windows with new double-paned windows, he had an idea. “I asked my dad why he didn’t buy the new windows, and Dad said our old windows were better,” says Daniel. “I didn’t believe him, so he challenged me to prove him wrong.” With his father’s help, Daniel set out … (8 comments)

historic homes: Patriot's Day and Battle of the Brandywine Re-Enactment This Week - 11/19/12 10:12 AM
Right across the state line between Delaware and Pennsylvania, is the Brandywine Battlefield Historic Site. This site commemorates the battle on September 7, 1777 when General Washington believed British General Howe would cross the Brandywine Creek at Chadds Ford, so he massed his troops there. But Howe outflanked his foe, and Washington had to retreat. This Saturday, November 24th, a wide variety of activities and interactive programs will take  place at the Battlefield. George Washington (!) will give a lecture, there will be a continental encampment (at left) with soldiers, a gunsmith, blacksmith, carpenter, tours  of Washington's headquarters building, musket drilling, firing … (2 comments)

historic homes: Wilmington Riverfront Imax Opening in Time for James Bond - 10/15/12 06:22 PM
I was down at Wilmington’s Riverfront the other day and could not believe all the action going on that had appeared in the last month.  First, the main entrance to the Chase Center, which had the Home Show this weekend, was totally blocked off, with access through a side set of doors.  Why?  It looks like the long talked about Westin Hotel is under construction, and will be attached to the Center.                           
   
 Then, I wandered towards the train station to see how the new Imax theater is doing.  It is scheduled to open Nov. 8, coinciding with … (4 comments)

historic homes: Chester County Day 2012 a Real WOW! - 10/09/12 12:16 PM
Every year for 72 yers, the Chester County Hospital has gathered together people who willingly give their time, talent, and open their homes to hundreds of people interested in historic homes on the first Saturday in October, Chester County Day.This year was no different. There were 34 Historic Homes and places of interest included on the ticket. Homes ranged from the earliest, c. 1702, to a 2007 home using recycled materials. And believe me, that home really had some antique parts. It was hard to look at the battered black and white floor tiles from an English home and not believe … (2 comments)

historic homes: Historic Homes in Chester County to be Featured on 72nd Annual House Tour - 09/30/12 05:11 PM
Chester County Day ™ - A Chester County Tradition The annual Chester County Day House Tour is the oldest house tour in the nation. This year, on Saturday, October 6, 2012 from 10 am to 5 pm,you will experience Chester County's finest examples of original, reclaimed, restored, new and historically significant homes. While you are enjoying "The Day," you will also be supporting The Chester County Hospital in its ongoing mission to bring world-class care close to home. If you love architecture, artistry and antiques, you won't want to miss this premier house tour.
The picture on the right was taken … (2 comments)

historic homes: Deck Stain, Wood Shingles, and Other Old House Mistakes - 08/09/12 12:04 PM
Last week, Preservation Delaware hosted Preservation Weekend in Old New Castle, Delaware. One of the speakers was Richard Byrne, an Architectural Conservator from Staunton, Virginia. After many years of experience, Mr. Byrne had some definite views about preserving older and historic homes. One of his strongly emphasized statements was that wood needs an opaque coating to preserve the cambium of the wood siding or decking. I had heard home inspectors recommend coating decks with stain, but Byrne strongly disagrees with this advice. "Paint, Paint!" and no alternatives, he advised. Along with this, his mantra included keeping wood in good repair, correctly … (2 comments)

historic homes: Concrete and Brick Walkways Are Rising in Protest! - 08/05/12 02:36 PM
Preservation Delaware had a very informative talk and walking tour in Old New Castle, Delaware yesterday. It's an especially appropriate place to discuss the way tree roots are reaching through walkways because the town not only has a large National Historic Register District of Historic Homes, but it has so many beautiful trees, and they line the brick walkways in town. This is a combination sure to keep both the town and the state (which owns the buildings on the Green) busy repairing walkways, as well as keeping local property owners busy.
            
Our local expert was Ken Darsney, a … (0 comments)

historic homes: Historic 18th C Brandywine Hills Stone Millers House Now For Sale - 06/23/12 07:30 AM
The Webster Family bought the land on which this historic home sits in the 18th Century, from the Talley family. These mid-seventeenth century settlers had owned 400 acres south of Naamans Creek, near Delaware's northern border with Pennsylvania. Through the years, only 4 families have owned the Webster property. Only remnants of Henry Webster's grist mill remain in the woods nearby, but the Shellpot Creek still flows through Brandywine Hundred into the Delaware River near Edgemoor,  Although the mill race that once powered the mill wheel disappeared long ago, it has been replaced by the present Brandywine Hills neighborhood.
              
… (6 comments)

historic homes: Mid-Town Brandywine's H. Fletcher Brown Park - 05/29/12 10:12 AM
Mid-Town Brandywine’s H. Fletcher Brown Park is a pleasant place to cool off on a hot summer day. This small park is at the intersection of South Park Drive and North King Street, the site of the former H. Fletcher Brown Vocational High School and the earlier Old Soldiers’ Park.
Named for renowned Wilmington chemist and philanthropist Harry Fletcher Brown (1867-1944), the park attracts a diverse group of visitors. One of the primary attractions in the park is a Charles Parks’ bronze sculpture. The piece, “The Apprentice,” bears a plaque with an inscription mentioning Brown's generous gifts in upport of vocational … (0 comments)

historic homes: Day In Old New Castle Coming Up Saturday - 05/17/12 07:08 AM
Every year on the third Saturday in May, Old New Castle in Delaware holds it's biggest event, Day in Old New Castle.  And this year, as in countless years past, a friend and I will be part of the cadre of volunteer docents greeting visitors to various historic homes.
       
Not only will you be able to visit shops, museums, and private homes between 10 AM and 5 PM, but some pretty spectacular gardens will also be open (pictures are: Packet Alley on The Strand and flower on the 2010 tour). There will be music, dancing, and change bell ringing … (2 comments)

historic homes: Delaware Workshop on Restoring Historic Windows Scheduled - 04/13/12 01:14 PM
Preservation Delaware is holding two workshops about historic window repair on April 28 and 29, 2012.
 
… (0 comments)

historic homes: April 2012 Historic Homes E-News - 04/01/12 04:33 PM
April  2012 Historic Homes E-News                             The Delaware State Historic Preservation Office awarded nearly $1.9 million in Historic Preservation Tax Credits during fiscal year 2011. These state-tax credits were granted, to property owners for eligible expenses incurred during the rehabilitation of 14 historic buildings in communities across the state including Bear, Delaware City, Laurel, New Castle, Newark and Wilmington. Further information at  http://history.delaware.gov/preservation/taxcredit.shtmlSaturday, April 7, 2012  "All That Is Dutch: Discovering the Dutch Roots in Delaware Through Archaeology." Program utilizes Dutch-related artifacts found in Delaware to explore how the Netherlands helped to shape the state's history. The Old State House, 25 … (0 comments)

historic homes: Carolyn Roland's Historic Homes E News for March, 2012 - 03/02/12 07:53 AM
March 5, 1804, Nathan Burrows, a farmer living near John Dickinson’s plantation outside Dover, Delaware wrote, “Tis with regret I acquaint you that your house was burnt down on Saturday last.” With these words, Dickinson discovered that his home had been accidentally destroyed by fire on Saturday, March 3, 1804. Exactly 208 years later, on Saturday, March 3, 2012, from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., the John Dickinson Plantation, located at 340 Kitts Hummock Road in Dover, Del., will commemorate the anniversary of the blaze with a program that explores both the details of the fire and Dickinson’s decision to rebuild … (2 comments)

historic homes: Exclusive Peek at Historic Shannon Inn in Christiana, Delaware - 01/02/12 01:39 PM
I was fortunate enough to get a New Year’s Day 2012 tour of a property which was saved from destruction in 1976 in the historic crossroads town of Christiana, Delaware.During the Revolutionary war, there were 2 hotels in Christiana, the Christiana Inn and the Shannon Hotel, located across the main intersection from one another and both dating back to at least 1770. The Shannon was famous for the quality of its food and the Inns played host to Washington, Lafayette, Benjamin Latrobe, and Mason and Dixon, according to local lore. (map from the 1868 Pomeroy and Beers Atlas of Delaware).That the … (2 comments)

historic homes: Southern Chester County Market Report for September 2011 - 10/18/11 11:30 AM

September was a volatile month in Southern Chester County, Pennsylvania real estate. The number of new listings dropped dramatically, as did closed and pending sales. Although days on the market were up nearly 13% for the year, they dropped just over 2% for September, which is a slight bit of good news. Another bit of good news for the month was that although the median sales price fell almost 5% for the year, in September, the median sales price was up almost 7%.
What this says to me is that this could just be some of the higher priced homes … (0 comments)

historic homes: Here's A Chance to Tour a Historic House Online - 06/13/11 11:44 AM
In reading the latest issue of the Old House Journal, I found an ad for Old House Live. In this online resource, the editor of the magazine has an online tour of historic sites and architectural treasures.
In the current posting, she tours Washington DC's Halcyon House, which was built in 1787 by Benjamin Stoddert, the first Secretary of the Navy, which is in the Georgetown area. See http://www.oldhouseonline.com/halcyon-house-video-tour-in-historic-washington-dc/
 
(The house pictured is also a 1780's house, in Magnolia, Delaware, which is much less sophisticated in this small town country location)
 
The Old House Journal is a good resource … (0 comments)

historic homes: New Castle County Offers Rent-Free Historic Homes - 02/13/11 08:05 PM
New Castle County, Delaware, has awarded bids to 3 private investors who have pledged to rehabilitate and preserve deteriorating historic properties with their own money through the Resident Curatorship Program.
This program allows individuals or groups to preserve historic properties the County cannot afford to maintain that are located on County property. This private curatorship requires an investment of at least $150,000 within 5 years for restoring and maintaining the property while residing in it.
The Talley-Day property, located behind the Brandywine Hundred Library on Foulk Road, is boarded up and looks very sad (see photo) presently.  Successful proposals were submitted … (0 comments)

 
Best Rainmaker_large

Carolyn Roland-Your Delaware and Chester County Historic Homes Specialist

Wilmington, DE

More about me…

Patterson-Schwartz Real Estate

Address: Patterson-Schwartz Real Estate, 7234 Lancaster Pike, Hockessin, DE, 19707

Office Phone: (302) 239-3000

Cell Phone: (302) 593-5111

Email Me

View Carolyn Roland's LinkedIn profileView Carolyn Roland's profile



Listings

Links

Archives

RSS 2.0 Feed for this blog