Smyrna times., 1956-05-03
.27 SHOWPLACES
AT NEW CASTLE
"A Day in Old New Castle"
Annual COstumed Event To
Be Staged Sat-, May 19
TOUR LISTED

Sixteen private homes are
among the q showplaces which
will be on public view on "A Day
in Old New Castle" on Saturday,
May 10. when the annual cos
TUNED event will be staged with
an 18th Century air.
Sponsored annually since 1924
by emmanuel Episcopal Church.
on-the-Green, the 253-year-old
church is the focal point of the
tour which highlights the days
program. 1t was on the site of
Emmanuel Church that William
Penn received in 1853 the token
of his ownership of land within
a radius of IL miles of New
Castle, conveyed to him by James,
Duke of York, a year earlier.
Other popular spots include the
Old Dutch House of latter 18th
Century vintage, believed to be
the oldest dwelling in Delaware,
and Amstel House, where George
Washington was once the guest
at a famous Delaware wedding.
Both are now maintained as mu-
seums, housing authentic relics of
early Americana.
Of the private homes holding
open house, the stately Read
House on The Strand is probably
the best known for its interesting
background and architectural per-
fection. 1t is now the home of
Mrs. Philip D. Laird.
Also welcoming guests on May
10 will be Mr.. and Mrs. Thomas
Holcomb II at Haromny House
which contains possessions of Ly-
dia Darragh, Revolutionary her
oine; Col. and Mrs. John F. Fiske,
26 East Third Street, where there
will be an exhibit of old fans;
Mr.. and Mrs. William E. Myers.
18 East Third Street, featuring
a display of old quilts and shawls;
Judge and Mrs Richard S. Rod
ney who have many valuable man.
uscripts, letters and portraits of
Colonial and Revolutionary times;
Mrs. Lewis Booker, whose home
was built in 1889 by Justice Ken
sey Johns; Judge and Mrs. Daniel
F. Wolcott, Fourth and Delaware
Streets, who occupy the former
residence of Chancellor Kensey
Johns, Jr.
Other home owners holding open
house are Mr.. and Mrs. Reinhardt
F. Bamberger, Rosemont House;
Mr.. and Mrs. ]. Danforth Bush,
Jr., in whose home the news of
the Battle of Bunker Hill was re-
ceived; Mr.. and Mrs. Elmer E.
Bailey, Cunning Bedford House;
Mr.. and Mrs. Nicholas McIntire,
8 The Strand, one of the few
homes not destroyed in the great
fire of 1924; Mr.. and Mrs. John
j. b. Cooper, Jr., 49 The Strand;
Mr.. and Mrs. Hugh c. Galloway,
SO The Strand; Mr.. and Mrs.
Maxwell p. Harrington, whose
house was once the "Rising Sun
Tavern" MIR. and Mrs. Laussat
r. Rogers, Booth Hurst, family
estate for more than 200 years
on the New Castle e-Wilmington
Road; and Mr.. and Mrs. B. Scran-
ton Deemer, The Hermitage, one
half mile from the center of town
off Delaware Street.
Private homes will be open from
IL am. to pm, while public
buildings will be on view from 10
am. Mrs. Maynard B. William
son is general chairman of the
1856 Day in Old New Castle"
celebration. Serving on her gen.
eral committee are George Hall
man, vice chairman; Mrs. Thomas
Holcomb II, permanent advisor;
Miss Anita Banks, William B.
Kee, Jr.; Mrs. G. A. Pedrick, Mrs.
Harold Huffman, and Mr.. Herbert
Peckham.
Tickets will be available at
booths located conveniently
throughout the town or may be
secured in advance by groups by
writing the chairman at Imman-
uel Church parish house.