Entering Woodcrest in Radnor

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For my previous blog post on Woodcrest, click here.

I entered the mansion from the courtyard entrance.

When the mansion was built, the large Tudor-style stable block and coach house formed the courtyard.

Each section was anchored by staff quarters.

I walked under the carriage porch to enter the mansion.

In 2009, Woodcrest was placed on The National Register of Historic Places.

I entered and saw dark wood paneling throughout the great hall.

The ornate plaster fleurs-de-lys ceiling was impressive; ornamental elements like this were designed to impress visitors.

It was quiet on the main floor; I didn’t see a soul.

Cabrini’s administrative offices are located upstairs…

I entered a room off the great hall where I saw an ornamented limestone mantel and another ornate plaster ceiling. I believe this room was once the living room.

Stepping back outside and walking under the carriage porch while looking up…

Exiting the courtyard to the left and through the archway…

Looking left at the south porch…

Getting a closer look…

I searched for more information on the mansion’s architectural details but very little is available.

What are your thoughts on Woodcrest?

 

Would You Like to Follow Along with Me on Instagram?

~ Sue ~ Leave a comment

If any of you would like to see my daily Instagram photos or for those of you who have Instagram accounts, you can now follow me. (You don’t need to have an Instagram account to look at my photos/account.)

Here is the link to my Instagram, click here.

I’ll be posting photos daily, some with tiny stories. The great thing about Instagram is that I can feature photos that might not necessarily be published on my blog. I love how Instagram is instantaneous and that I can snap a photo and have it live in seconds.

I  hope to see some of you over there…

Have a wonderful & safe week!

S.

Tile Showroom Photo Tour: Wood Look Tile for Floors

~ Sue ~ 6 Comments

The other day I went to a tile showroom about 15 miles from Brick House 319. I love wood look plank tile and I know that we’ll be installing it in two or three rooms. I especially like the light grey shades that have a trace of white.

The wood look tile really does  look like real wood; until you actually touch it, its hard to tell the difference.

Another favorite is this plank tile in the above photo. But, honestly, I saw so many I liked that it’s going to be hard to choose.

Wood look tile is a hot trend right now; you get the look of wood and the durability of tile.

This birch plank tile is at the top of my list. I absolutely love it and I’m going to get it. I now have to sit down and figure out how much it will cost for the mudroom and the bonus room.

This might be nice in the basement…

Here are some more samples on the showroom wall.

Wood look tile is great for bathrooms, basements and even some kitchens. Once it’s laid down and grouted, I doubt anyone will make the mistake that it’s real hardwood but it does have the organic look of wood.

What are your thoughts on wood look tile?

 

Woodcrest & Campbell’s Soup

~ Sue ~ 4 Comments

What: Woodcrest Mansion

Where: 610 King of Prussia RD., Radnor, PA

When: July 2017

A few days ago, I drove a couple miles to the Woodcrest mansion which is now part of Cabrini College. The stately home was designed by Philadelphia architect Horace Trumbauer for financier, James W. Paul. Amazingly, it took only two years to build (between 1901-1903).

In 1925, the Elizabethan Tudor Revival mansion along with 120 acres was sold to chemist, Dr. John T. Dorrance (1873-1930), who invented the formula for condensed soup at the Campbell’s Soup Company in 1897. (He purchased the company from his uncle in 1914.)

I love the lone orange Adirondack chair!

It has been said that Dorrance, who was a very private man, was concerned with only two things in life: His family and soup. (The Campbell’s Soup food giant owns brands such as Prego, V8 and Pepperidge Farm.)

Last month, I wrote about Linden Hall, which Dorrance’s son, John owned at one time.

In 1953, Woodcrest was sold to the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus for use as an orphanage and retreat house. Four years later, the MSCs founded Cabrini College, which enrolled 47 women in its first class. At the time, the mansion served as the primary academic and resident building.

The mansion is now used for Cabrini’s administrative offices.

The mansion has 3 floors and 51 rooms (15 bedrooms). When the estate was a home, the gardens were extravagant, and designed by Paul’s nephew. The estate had stables for 60 horses, a swimming pool with bath house, tennis courts and a gate house.

The mansion is trimmed in limestone.

I walked from the south porch around toward the front entrance…

The south porch…

Next: Stepping Inside Woodcrest