October 2016 Historic Homes Newsletter

E Newsletter--October 2016

(Apologies for any font irregularities caused by technical problems)

Pennsylvania Events : The Chester County Historical Society and Greystone Manor present talks by Catherine Quillman and Tara Wink

October 4, 2016 from 6:30PM to 8:30PM at  Greystone Hall (1034 Phoenixville Pike., West Chester) on West Chester history.

Cost: $30 For more information and reservations, rsvp@chestercohistorical.org or 610-692-4800

Preservation50: Celebrating the Past, Planning the Future

Will be presented by  Preservation Pennsylvania on October 14, 2016 : 11:30AM to 2:30PM at The Yorktowne Hotel (48 Market Street, York)

For more information, click on link.

One of the big events of the year (IMHO) in Pennsylvania will be Chester County Day. Held the first Saturday of October, this will be the 76th annual tour, and will concentrate on the area of Marshallton and Kennett Square. At $40 per ticket, it is a chance to visit historic homes and landscapes not usually open to the public. I highly recommend attending the slide show the night before at either the Chester County Courthouse or Longwood Gardens. Then you can highlight the homes you want to make sure and see on October 1, because there is never enough time to see them all, although this year they are not spread out as much as usual.

New Jersey news: October 1 - Camden, New Jersey: Make the Most of Your Historic District: Workshop and Tour of Camden’s Cooper Street. Learn about preservation issues and recent discoveries about the six-block Cooper Street Historic District as you enjoy a choice of thematic tours. Highlights include the recently restored Alumni House (c. 1810), Writers House (designed by Wilson Eyre, 1885), and public art in Johnson Park. Information from Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission

Delaware Happenings:

Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016 “The Birth and Re-Birth of a State House: The 40th Anniversary of The Old State House Restoration.” Guided tours explore the modifications that have been made to The Old State House since its completion in 1791, Mabel Lloyd Ridgely’s efforts to restore it and its restoration in 1976 as part of the nation’s bicentennial. First Saturday in the First State program. The Old State House, 25 The Green, Dover. 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-744-5054.    

The fourth annual River Towns Ride & Festival celebrating historic New Castle & Delaware City is a one-day joint festival held between the two historic Delaware waterfront towns of New Castle and Delaware City. This year’s event will be held on Saturday, Oct. 1, from 11:30am-5pm.

 Saturday, October 1st also brings the grand opening of the Delaware History Museum and the new Center for African American Heritage with an historic block party from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m at 504 N. Market in Wilmington. The day will include family-friendly fun, tours of the new museum, performances, food trucks, music, and much more!

 More for October 1--From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Dover Public Library, 35 Loockerman Plaza,  a statewide public discussion with Preservation 50 about what’s happening in your community about preservation issues, and “Who you gonna call?”    More on Facebook or email Kim Burdick at KimRburdick at aol.com. 

The Lewes Fall Craft Fair is scheduled for October 1, 2016 from 9:00am-4:00pm. Cost is $5.00 per person; children under 12 are free. Cape May-Lewes Ferry Terminal, 43 Cape Henlopen Drive in Lewes, Delaware. This year, there will be over 60 talented artisans exhibiting a variety of media ranging from metalwork to woodworking, including pottery by Featured Artist Jeff Watson.

More Preservation 50 news: they are throwing a big Historic Preservation Celebration: Past, Present, and Future, Friday, October 7, 2016 at Painted Stave Distillery, 106 West Commerce Street, Smyrna, Delaware 19977. Mingle at 5 and program begins at 6 p.m. The speakers: John Sprinkle, Jr., Robin Krawitz, Erik Hein (National Parks Service, Delaware State University, and the National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers. There is limited seating. R.S.V.P. by October 5, 2016 to John McCarthy by phone at 302-739-9188 or via email to john.mccarthy@state.de.us.

What is October without "Shakespeare/Poe"? A traditional October evening of Shakespeare, Edgar Allen Poe, and other spine-tingling authors is back with nine performances October 14-23 with the Delaware Shakespeare Festival. The evening features readings, music, and free hot cider! Performances will be held at: the Stone Stable in Historic Odessa, the George Read II house and Gardens in New Castle, and Rockwood Mansion. Tickets are limited and only 30 souls will be admitted for each performance! Follow link for the when and where.

The American Revolution Round Table of Northern Delaware cordially invites you to hear speaker Bob Selig, PhD,  the  National Park Service's scholar for the Washington Rochambeau Revolutionary Route (Yorktown Campaign) on the American Campaigns of Robert Guillaume baron de Dillon, mestre de camp of the Volontaires Étrangers de Lauzun. The Program will be Saturday Evening, Oct 15, 7:30 p.m. at the Hale Byrnes House in Stanton, Delaware. $5 at the door includes coffee and dessert.

William Penn Day, Saturday, October 22, 2016. A series of programs commemorating the 334th anniversary of Penn’s disembarkment at New Castle, his first landing in the New World. Activities include a re-enactment of the Livery of Seizen ritual at 10:15 a.m. in which Penn received possession of New Castle and a 12-mile circle of land surrounding it; a performance by De Blokfluiters recorder/flute ensemble at 11 a.m.; “The Tryal of William Penn,” a historical play exploring Penn’s trial on religious freedom and the rights of English subjects under the law at 12:30 and 3:30 p.m.; “The Amazing Mrs. Penn,” a living-history performance by Jean Norvell as Hannah Penn at 2 p.m.; and a Baroque concert by the Immanuel Bach Consort at 5:30 p.m. New Castle Court House Museum, 211 Delaware St., New Castle. Free admission but reservations required for the 5:30 p.m. concert. 302-323-4453.Saturday, Oct. 22, 2016

If you still have energy after the New Castle events, pop on down to Lewes at 5 p.m. for “Distilling in Delaware.” Lecture on the history of distilling in the First State by Mike Rasmussen, co-founder of Painted Stave Distilling in Smyrna, Del., plus a tasting of some of the company’s products. Presented in coordination with the museum’s exhibit “Wine and Spirits in Delaware: Producing, Preserving, and Presenting.” Zwaanendael Museum, 102 Kings Highway, Lewes. Program at 5 p.m. on the museum’s 2nd floor (entry via staircase; no elevator). Free admission but, due to space restrictions, reservations are required by calling 302-645-1148 no later than Oct. 21, 2016.

The John Dickinson Plantation presents Slavery and Freedom in Delaware on Monday, October 24, 2016, 6:30-8:00 pm at The Plantation, 340 Kitts Hummock Road, Dover. a National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Site and a unit of the First State National Historical Park. Join us for a special tour of this state museum dedicated to Founding Father, John Dickinson.  Learn about his influential role in the establishment of the new nation.  This tour will document the journey from slavery to freedom for individuals and families associated with the Dickinson Plantation. Refreshments and fellowship follow the presentation, which is free and open to the public.

Moving on to more Spooky events, Wednesday, October 26 finds “The Spirit of New Castle Past.” Play by historic-site interpreter David Price explores historical figures of New Castle’s past who return to tell their stories of conquest, murder, adultery, kidnapping, slavery and revolution. New Castle Court House Museum, 211 Delaware St., New Castle. 7 p.m. Free admission but, due to space restrictions, reservations are required. 302-323-4453.

Then, on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2016 the “Mysteries of History” walking tour explores the unusual tombstones of St. Peter’s cemetery in Lewes. Zwaanendael Museum, 102 Kings Highway, Lewes. Tour leaves from the museum at 2 p.m. Museum open 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-645-1148.

Moving up to Dover the same day, “Who Done It: A Historic Murder Mystery.” Fictionalized historical play in which museum guests assist Delaware’s Dr. James Sykes in questioning suspects in the death of Samuel Bedford, III. Based on a real 18th-century medical mystery solved by Dr. Sykes. The Old State House, 25 The Green, Dover. Performances at 2 and 8 p.m. Visitors to the 2 p.m. performance are encouraged to bring children for indoor trick-or-treating at stops within the building. Costumes are welcomed for all who attend. Free admission but, due to space restrictions, reservations are required by calling 302-744-5054.

Our Stars of the Month:

"Rolling Prairie," a resort-like lakefront property with in-ground pool, 3+ private acre setting, 5 garages with room for a boat, trailer, whatever toys you may have. Dating back to the 18th C., but with the latest updates, plus rental income from brick rancher on property. We will have an open house on Sunday, October 9 from 1-4. Serious buyers need to see this great property at 5 Lake Drive in Bear, Delaware. 

And watch for the construction to finish at 509 Lore Ave. on Brandywine Blvd. in north Wilmington. We are totally renovating the large basement and you will love it! Watch my website for new pictures. 

Also be watching for a charming Sears Roebuck Catalog home coming up. 

Don't forget that Carolyn Roland is your historic homes resource in Delaware and Southern Chester County, Pennsylvania.