October Historic Homes E-Newsletter

Delaware Events

Demystifying Historic Preservation in Delaware: The facts, myths, and economic benefits of historic preservation will be presented Thursday, October 4, 2018, 9 a.m. to 12:00 noon at the Barrett Room on B-Floor of the Duncan Center, 500 Loockerman St Dover, DE 19904.  This  IPA training course focuses on both the economic and cultural benefits of historic resources in cities and will provide tools and insights into how to maximize those resources. This session qualifies for certificate credit in the Academy for Excellence in Local Government Leadership. Instructors: Catherine Morrissey, assistant director, and Michael Emmons, architectural historian, Center for Historic Architecture and Design, University of Delaware. Register now | download workshop flyer | Registration deadline: October 4. (photo:Wilson-Warner House Odessa).

The New Castle Historical Society continues "Travel Back in Time with Jim Meek" on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. at the Arsenal, 30 Market St. The schedule is: Oct. 3, The 1800's, Oct. 10, New Castle People to 1850, Oct. 17, Civil War and a Virtual Tour of 3rd and Delaware, Oct. 24, TBA.  Admission $3, free for members.

The Hale-Byrnes House at 606 Stanton-Christiana Rd., Newark, Delaware 19713 announces its October programs: Oct. 6, 7:30 p.m the American Revolution Round Table of Northern Delaware is presenting "Of Skulls, Severed Heads and Skeletons: What to do with a Dead Hessian, Brit, Frenchman or American, as the Case May Be?" presented by  Bob Selig, PhD   [ flyer ].  Then on Sunday October 7, from 3-5 p.m. the This Place Matters Series will present "Before there Was Blue Ball Barn: That Site's Archaeology," talk by John McCarthy co-sponsored by Cooch's Bridge DAR. Well-behaved children always welcomed . $5 at the door includes coffee & dessert. (photo courtesy Hale-Byrnes)

Celebration of 100 years since the First Presbyterian Church,  1420 N. West St. in Wilmington, fondly known as the “Little Church” (built 1740) was moved to prevent demolition and has been under the care and maintenance by the National Society of The Colonial Dames of America in the State of Delaware (NSCDA-DE). It is used as their headquarters and located along the Brandywine River where it is open to the public 2nd Sundays, Apr-Oct, 2-4pm. On Oct 14, 2018, 2-4pm there will be historical exhibits following the timeline with photos and documents. 18th century music is being provided by De Blokfluiters.

Bellevue State Park in Wilmington invites you to learn the history of the Mt. Pleasant Meeting House and tour the Cemetery by flashlight. Look for some familiar names on the grave stones and perhaps “meet” some of these spirits from the past. Join us if you dare. Program is intended for adults; however children are welcome if accompanied by an adult. Pre-register no later than 4 p.m. on Wednesday, October 17 by calling the park office at 302-761-6963. $7 per person. (Photo:Bellevue gate)

A free webinar entitled The Preservation-Minded Homeowner in the 21st Century will be presented Tuesday, October 16 at 2 p.m. EDT. (1 AIA Learning Unit).Presenter: Scott Intagliata, Chief Marketing Officer, The Unico System, St. Louis, MO. This session will share results of in-depth marketing and demographic analyses of the number of historic houses (built pre-1965) in the United States and the priorities of their owners with respect to historic integrity, energy efficiency, and their comfort needs. This session will help architects, engineers, building contractors, and other professionals understand the challenges of working with historic 20th century residences in particular.  (photo:historic basement)

The Delaware Historical Society presents Shakespeare, Poe & Fiends at 7:30 p.m. Saturday Oct. 13 at Old Town Hall at 504 Market St. in Wilmington.  Enjoy dramatic readings from dark selections of plays, prose, and poetry in Old Town Hall—a fun way to join in the Halloween spirit! The performance is always a popular evening with the masters of the macabre as actors with Delaware Shakespeare open many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore during Shakespeare, Poe & Fiends.$18.50/person - Click here for tickets. On-street parking is FREE on weekends.

Save the date: Nov. 6  from 6-9 p.m. to honor 25 years of the Quaker Hill Historic Preservation group in Wilmington. The evening will include the Wilmington Concert Opera, silent auction and a talk by Dr. David Ames on "The Second Empire Invades Quaker Hill:The Case for 401 Washington St." The location will be  the University and Whist Club, 805 N. Broom St. in Wilmington. Tickets $75 include hors d'oeuvres and cash bar from 6-7 p.m. followed by an elegant 3 course dinner and presentations. RSVP by Oct. 26 to Ashley B. Cloud,  302-388-7176.

PENNSYLVANIA EVENTS

It's almost here--one of my "must see" events of the year: The 78th Annual Chester County Day House Tour on Saturday, October 6 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This year we will see the N.E. quadrant of the county, all for the benefit of the Chester County Hospital's Neonatal ICU Expansion Project. Tickets $50. The tour will feature 16 homes and 6 public landmarks including Exton, Frazer, Chester Springs, Kimberton and Phoenixville PA. Tickets now available online.  Make sure to attend one of the public preview lectures-schedule here.

(photo from 2017 tour in West Chester)

Saturday, October 20 is the 2018 Fall Private Paranormal Tour of the Paoli Battlefield from 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm as Malvern Paranormal Society leads  a paranormal investigation of the Paoli Battlefield.  This is a private tour and the Paoli Battlefield Historical Park will be CLOSED during the tour to all visitors. Cost $45. Tickets.

Philadelphia 1918:The Great Influenza will be the subject of a talk sponsored by the Middletown Twp. Historical Society. Speaker Jim Rubillo, will speak at 7 p.m. at Lima Estates, 411 N. Middletown Rd., Media PA 19063.

The Bethel Township Preservation Society invites you to their 21st Annual Founder's Day on Saturday, October 13, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Bethel Hose Co. No. 1, 3737 Foulk Rd., Garnet Valley, PA. There will be demonstrations of woodcarving, chair caning, cancle making sheep shearing, blacksmithing, spinning and weaving. An antique appraiser will give an opinion on first item for free. Antique dealers will be selling items, and maps and pictures will show local history. Try some crafts, play with colonial toys, and check out the baked goods and lunch items. The Bethel Parks & Rec are hosting a geocaching event. (photo from 2017)

HOUSE OF THE MONTH

The S. Marston Fox home, 1905 -An historic stone craftsman  home in beautiful condition in North Wilmington. Former home of local environmentalist  Marston Fox. Gracious rooms, never painted oak millwork, Bradbury & Bradbury wallpaper, 5 bedrooms with a finished 3rd floor which could be a master bedroom (has room for another bath). Stone carriage house has separate studio above. Original Robert Shaw artwork is part of mantel. Private, wooded lot. Virtual tour available. Contact Carolyn for an appointment. $690,000

Small 1850 cottage at 9 Delaware St. on the C & D Canal in North Saint Georges, Delaware. 2-3 bedroom home with extra lot available next door. Perfect getaway! Only $155,000 for house, $70,000 for lot.

 Brought to you by Carolyn Roland, Your Older and Historic Homes Resource with Patterson-Schwartz Real Estate in Hockessin, Delaware.