February 2017 Historic Homes E-Newsletter

February Happenings (not a few involving Abe and George)

Delaware

Saturday, February 25 from 7:00 to 10:00pm, the Winter Fundraiser at the Arsenal - Bootlegger's Bash, 30 Market Street, New Castle, Delaware. You are invited to the annual winter fundraiser of the New Castle Historical Society. Guests will enjoy Prohibition-era cocktails prepared by a mixologist, silent films, best costume contest, Jazz band, photo booth and much more! Scofflaw? Teetotaler? All are welcome! Tickets are $85 per person, or $75 person for NCHS members, and must be reserved in advance. (image NCHS)
To reserve your spot today, please purchase your tickets here: Bootlegger's Bash Tickets.

Courtship, Letters, and Love: Romance at the Read House & Gardens  Sunday, February 12,1:00 and 3:00 (limited reservations available for each). Read House & Gardens, New Castle. $7/Delaware Historical Society members, $10/non-members. Visitors will tour select rooms of the Read House while seeing letters and objects from Delaware Historical Society collections that tell the story of love and courtship, from the 19th century to the present. Beverages and light snacks provided. Reservations at (302) 655-7161. (image DHS)

 Saturday and Sunday, February 11-12, Victorian Valentine Weekend at Rockwood Museum in Wilmington. Tour the museum and enjoy creating your own frilly, three-dimensional Victorian-style Valentine. Supplies and instructions are provided for old-fashioned family fun. Delight a family member offriend .  Learn about Esther Howland, one of America’s first female entrepreneurs, and how she popularized Valentine’s Day cards. All activities free with museum admission. Families welcome. All ages. Saturday 10-4 p.m., Sunday 12-4 p.m. $10 adult, $4 child, half price New Castle County residents, free active military.

The George Washington Society of Delaware invites you to their annual toast to George Washington. A dinner and talk will be held Thursday, February 23 at 6 p.m. at Ed Oliver Golf Club at 800 N. DuPont Road, Wilmington DE 19807. R. Scott Stephenson of the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia will speak on the restoration of George Washington’s Campaign Tent. Please send Your Check for $40 per Person by Valentine’s Day to George Washington Society P.O. Box 4244, Greenville, Delaware 19807

Saturday, Feb. 4, 2017

“The Old State House: A Network to Freedom.” African American History Month interpretive tours examine the story of Samuel D. Burris and his work on Underground Railroad, an event in the history of Delaware’s historic capitol that led to its designation as a Network to Freedom site by the National Park Service. 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.

Pennsylvania

Programs and events at Peter Wentz Farmstead, 2030 Shearer Road
Lansdale, PA 19446. 610-584-5104

Wednesday, February 1st 10 a.m.& 1p.m. Learn to cut shapes and color a design with paints, inspired by the late 18th through 19th century art of Scherenschnitte (scissor cutting) and Fraktur. Pre-registration required.
Ages: 3 & up and accompanied by an adult; fee: $5 per child.

Laerenswaert Series: Fastnacht Day, Wednesday, February 25 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. “Worth Learning"  In many cultures the days just before the start of Lent meant a time for celebration and feasting and the PA Germans were no different.  They often celebrated Fastnacht Day by using some of the indulgent ingredients in the kitchen, such as butter, sugar, eggs, and potatoes to produce yummy Fastnachts, or fried potato donuts.  Visit us to watch hearth cook Deborah Peterson make these and other pre-Lenten treats in the Summer Kitchen; we’ll even have some to share.  We’ll also have demonstrations of typical winter activities- preserving meat for long-term storage using the smokehouse, splitting wood for fires, and farm tours.

On Tuesday, February 7 at 7 p.m, Tim McGrath will give a presentation on Ben Franklin’s Navy at the Washington Memorial Chapel on Rt. 23 in Valley Forge. The story of Franklin's acting as unofficial leader of the Continental Navy in Europe is a rarely told story.  

Lincoln's Failures: "Success is not in never failing" featuring Dr. Randolph Shipley Klein, will be presented by the Friends of Hopewell Furnace on February 12, 2017 at 2 p.m.  This free talk will be held at Hopewell Furnace Conference Center, 2 Mark Bird Lane, Elverson, Pennsylvania. 

Another free Hopewell program will be "Music of the Underground Railroad." This Black History Month program  will be from 1-2 on February 18 at the Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site Visitor Center  www.nps.gov/hofu or 610-582-8773 ext. 230

A Tavern Talks program, Chocolate & Courtship will be held by the Chadds Ford Historical Society on Thursday, February 16, 7-9 p.m. Tavern Talks is a monthly experience (not a lecture) aimed exclusively for adults 21 and older that focuses on fun topics in early American culture. Guests will experience history with hands-on activities, food and drink tastings, demonstrations and more! Tickets must be purchased in advance.

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 The Valley Forge Park Alliance announces free events on Monday, February 20 at the Visitor Center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Help celebrate his Excellency’s 285th birthday this Presidents’ Day. Cupcakes and samples of Martha Washington’s “Great Cake” recipe will be baked and served by the students of The Culinary Institute of Montgomery County Community College. Crafts & Games in the Meeting Room and Theater • 10 am – noon. Make a tricorn hat, create a birthday card for General Washington and meet the General. 18th century games and colonial style weaving held in the park theater. Sing Happy Birthday to the General in the Visitor Center at noon.

Historic Homes for sale include the lovely Rolling Prairie, a late 18th century home with all the modern bells and whistles, plus a separate guest house and 5 car garage.

Also on the market is the Queen Anne Victorian Chambers Mansion with spectacular architecture and Mercer tile features as well as modern updates.

Buying or selling an older or historic home in Delaware or Southern Chester County, Pennsylvania? Carolyn Roland is your Older and Historic Homes Resource!

Click here to send Carolyn a message.