Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-06-23
Ruy the Read Mansion.


of the old Read house in New Castle
that has been unoccupied since the death
of its former owner several months ago.
creates some concern lest the property be
eventually disposed of, torn down or
stripped of its splendid interior fttings'
1t is stated that there has been as much
bid for the woodwork of the building as
the entire property would bring II 1T
were conditioned that the fittings be lett
undisturbed. In other words. the carved
wood fittings, the wonderful doors and
windows and stair ratings would sell for
more than the whole property intact.
1t would be grave crime to let the
old house come into inappreclatlvc owner
shin and to think Of its being gutted oi lts
treasures makes one shudder. We have
no knowledge that such is intended, but
Every Evening feels, with almost every
citizen of the State, that the old house on
the New Castle Strand should be under
some sort of public control or ownership
so that il would never be demolished nor
dismantled
II has history that dates back to the
beginning Of things in Delaware; It Graded
some OF the ablest men who went from
Delaware to contribute big parts N the
formation of the government IN ITS most
irving DAYS. it was built with a superb
elegance that has never been surpassed
in the more than a century OF construction
since: il stands with the strength OF
Gibraltar today almost untouched by the
blight Of time. At this moment II repre-
sents one Of the very few perfect examples
az pure colonial architecture in this coun-
trv. and il is described and pictures IN
practically every illustrated volume snow
inp houses combining the unsurpassed art
of Sir Christopher Wrenn with that OF
the builder and the wood carver. 1t IS
known all over the world where archi-
tectural works Of art are appreciated
1t perhaps might be purchased by the
state or by some of our societies. and put
IN some use that would more than war
rant the expenditure for purchase and up
keen. For example it might be utilized
asa nermanent show place of colonial relics
of Delaware. a museum illustrating peri
od of 4he States history when despite her
small area she contributed the ablest
men and best thought to the founding and
upbuilding of the nation. There are
possiblv enough men and women OF
means in Delaware interested in preserv-
ing this superb old pile to promptly take
care of the purchase price, and the cost
of maintenance could be easily met.
As a museum it would attract visitors
from all parts of the country and would
add greatly to the outside worlds knowl-
edge of the Diamond State.
To have a peep into the Read house
gives one a glimpse backward into the
mast. to recall that many of the ablest and
most distinguished of the men who came
J early to this country and aided IN the
task of founding a republic located IN
Delaware on the banks Of the river. and
from there went TO direct the affairs OF
/ government wherever called.
II is indeed beautiful house. Wood
carving, as there employed. Is among Ghe
| lest arts. Its mahogany doorways and its
massive silver knobs are almost gems,
and never come UP with these days except
in the few survivors of the Revolutionary
period of elegant architecture and con
struction. The history of the house. OF
it's guests, of it's grand affairs, Of the
| notables who assembled there for some
program of public aiding or OF It's stately
| balls with bewigged men and beautiful
women are interesting beyond descrip-
! ton to those who like to interpret his
tory through deeds and TO depict life OF
the earlier times from these mute wit
nesses.
Every Evening mas no knowledge that
the property is for sale nor as to the
plans of the owner as TO its future, but
it has deep concern lest some day the
treasures of the old mansion may find a
purchaser outside of the State or that the
building be permitted to be overtaken by
decay.
1t is hardly too much to say that the
Read house is next in historic interest to
the Old Swedes Church, exceeding even
that cantering around the old city hall
1t recalls men who had won their way to
distinction, who represented the highest
type of the First American citizens and
lived as behtting their rank and station
with quiet elegance and unobtrusive lux
ury-aristocrats by brain and breeding
With the expansion of Wilmington tow
towards the old city the distance betweer
the two points will lessen and the histori
building would be easily accessible from
here. or indeed from any part Of the Stat
in these days Of easy communication.
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