Evening journal., 1922-05-27
BELMONT HALL
Being RESTORED
Historic Residence Near
Smyrna Rising After
Recent Fire
NEW CUPOLA WILL
REPLACE BURNED ONE

Lovers Of historical Delaware will
be delighted TO learn that the cele-
brated Belmont Hall. at edge OF
Smyrna, which was gutted by fire on
January last. is being rapidly re-
stored by its owner, Cummins e.
Speakman, whose local offices are in
the dupont Building. TO its original
classic lines. and that the whole
work will be completed about Au-
gust l, says the Smyrna Times
/ The work is now nearly two-thirds
| finished. Belmont Hall, which is
one Of the oldest and most interest
ing Colonial homes in Delaware
from the standpoint OF historical as
sociations as we'll as beauty OF
architecture. was swept by a disas-
trous fire last winter. and the upper
floors destroyed. owing to the diff
hculty in effecting a complete res
toration, which involved matching OF
various parts, and the use OF some
OF the old pillars and framing. II
was some time before the work
could be initiated. Not only does Mr..
Speakman contemplate the restora-
ton OF the famous old building, but
he Is seeking TO restore all the orig
inal lines OF the building as It ap-
peared in Colonial times. The front
porch which was placed on the
building in the middle OF the last
century, will not be restored, as It
will conflict with the Colonial de-
sign. Instead. the porch will be
placed on the side.
Perhaps the most interesting por-
ton OF the original building before
the fire was carved and SCARED sides
Of the cupola on top OF the building.
Here for a century, Delawareans by
the thousands had carved their
names. All were destroyed in the
fire. From a sentimental standpoint.
It Is Mr.. Speakman's plan 10 make
history repeat itself. and ample wall
space will be provided in the new
cupola for the inscribing OF the
names Of visitors. These will not be
permitted 10 be carved. Il was
learned, but pencils OF indelible ink
will be provided. Another portion
OF Lnt MUAh MsAAkn mas AAA NA ENAA"
siderable care in restoration is the
famous spot on the balcony where
a Continental sentinel was shot by
British sharpshooter during the Rev
olutionary War. The sentinel was
standing on the balcony when shot,
and fell TO the floor below, where
the blood-stains were visible prior to
the fire. A tablet commemorating
the occurrence is to be laid in the,
wall.
Belmont Hall was the home OF
Governor Thomas Collins. OF Della
ware. The original building was
constructed in 1884. that is. the rear
portion, while the front was built IN
1853 by Governor Collins. The great
est historical celebrity OF Belmont
Hall comes from the fact that a ses-
sion OF the Delaware Legislature
was held in the building. Some con-
troversy exists as TO whether this
was a meeting of the Privy Council.
but II was an assemblage Of note.
perhaps the latter. Walter Joseph.
a graduate Of Delaware College, who
has been for the last two years in
Paris. having won the travelling
scholarship Of the Pennsylvania |
Academy Of Fine Arts. will paint a
picture feet by 6. which will show
the meeting at the hall. and will |
contain historically correct repre- |
sentations OF the persons present. !
Mr.. Joseph is now in Paris. but will |
return to his home in Philadelphia |
finest examples of the simple Colo !
nial architecture in Delaware. and |
FOR years has been recognized by the /
d. a. r. and others as one of the |
most beautiful country homes in the |
State. The total cost of the repairs |
will likely run to $4,000 or more.