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Home , Root cellar, Secret passage

Reprinted May 2019 [ of the Month]

Fair Meadow Farm in Birmingham Township A WITNESS TO HISTORY

Laurel Anderson

OTHING IN THIS BUCOLIC REGION OF EASTERN sorely in need of work—the couple agreed that “if you buy The main farmhouse—with the oldest section marked by Chester County hints at its connection to the largest an old home it’s a romantic purchase.” You have to love the a 1740 datestone, plus 1802 and 1937 additions—has been Nand longest single-day battle of the Revolutionary patina that comes only with age and the dreams that are part reconfigured over the years. It’s evolved into a bright, functional War. Yet on September 11, 1777, the opening shot of the fateful of owning a historic property—like cooking a meal in an home with many and higher-than-expected , Battle of Brandywine was fired on what’s now Fair Meadow authentic walk-in . making it a comfortable home. Farm, as General Washington suffered a crushing defeat by “We admit we looked at the place through rose-colored Once two in the 1802 section, the spacious living General Howe. glasses,” the husband continues, “seeing its fabulous potential.” boasts two , one a deep, cooking fireplace with Tracing its roots back to a 1683 purchase of 500 acres from And there was also the quality of the workmanship in a home the original cooking crane. The adjacent paneled library in the William Penn and serving as home for 150 years of Davis now over 250 years old. 1937 addition, with exposed beams and built-ins, is a cozy family members, in addition to some Mathers and Strouds, Fair “Our plan was to fix, but not replace, to make improvements space with corner fireplace, convenient and staircase to Meadow Farm was fittingly listed on the National Register of but in the correct style,” adds the wife. “We did things like the master . A paneled office, with powder room, has Historic Places in 1959. use rag painting finishes on the —things authentic to the many built-ins and a lovely pond view. period.” They chose historically accurate paint colors, buried On the other side of the elegant foyer with original staircase THE FARM power lines to preserve the look of the property, and shored up (check out the newel post’s mortgage button and But it was the farm that attracted the current owners to these the massive bank barn that was seriously sagging in its center, to the and with ) is the formal 28.5 acres on Birmingham Road. “My wife always wanted to with the help of Wesley Sessa of 18th Century Restorations. . The adjacent butler’s has two walls of live on a farm,” says the husband, “although we’re not farmers.” custom cherry storage cabinets by Waterbury Designs (now So the couple abandoned their search for a Lancaster County MAIN Waterbury Kitchen and Bath). More cherry cabinets by Water- farm, choosing instead to settle in an area that’s rural, yet close Today the farm features a seven-bedroom, four-full-two-half- bury encircle the well-designed chef’s kitchen with gas fireplace. to towns and their former life in Swarthmore. bath serpentine home, stone bank barn, four-car , green- A sunny breakfast room with a , well-equipped laundry Reflecting on what inspired them to take on this project 24 house, several outbuildings, pool, pond, magnificent mature room with abundant storage, second powder room, and conve- years ago—the 1740 serpentine house and bank barn were trees along with lovingly designed and cared-for gardens. nient mudroom with stone , skylight and of windows, round out the L-shaped first , accented greenhouse with automatic with beautiful hardwood floors. venting and cooling, mul- The second floor is anchored by a large tipurpose playhouse/pool- master suite with sitting room (easily con- house with seasonal bath- vertible to a bedroom or ), dressing room and , four-car garage in For more on this conveniently located, historic area with four , and master bedroom the original carriage house, plus corncrib 28.5-acre property in the Unionville school dis- and bath, another Waterbury design. and smokehouse used for storage. trict, with 7+ bedroom, 4.2-bath farmhouse, bank barn, 4-car garage, pool, playhouse, greenhouse, Three additional (one with en- A lovely heated flanked pond and impressive garden, contact The Holly suite bath, another with a fireplace) plus by fountains and picturesque half-acre Gross Group, Berkshire Hathaway, Fox & Roach, a bath are on the second level. Three spring-fed pond provide space for recreation 610-430-3030; HollyGrossGroup.com. more bedrooms—with unique eyebrow and reflection. windows and wide-board floors—a play The property is also home to magnifi- area (or future yoga room), full bath, plus cent specimen trees, including a 300-year- storage room and cedar , add more old sycamore and regal London planetree living space on the third level. near the pond. An orchard and well-estab- lished garden (including asparagus patch) THE GROUNDS protected by deer fencing are evidence of a A local landmark visible from the road, serious gardener. the iconic 1803 serpentine bank barn (60’x40’) numerous stalls, a huge Fair Meadow Farm offers so many restful heated/air-conditioned (20’x40’) places to sit and relax while soaking in the and bath. Other amenities include a beauty and history of this peaceful oasis. ♦