Historic houses, landmarks & museums of New England & the Mid-Atlantic

Magazine Antiques, April, 2004

PENNSYLVANIA

COLUMBIA: Wright's Ferry Mansion, Cherry and 2nd Streets, 17512. Pennsylvania English Quaker house built in 1738 with superlative collection of Philadelphia William and Mary and Queen Anne furniture and English ceramics, needlework, metals, and glass made prior to 1750. May-Oct; Tues, Weds, Fri, and Sat 10-3 (last tour begins at 3). (717) 684-4325

MONTGOMERY COUNTY: The Department of History & Cultural Art presents:

Audubon: Mill Grove/Audubon Center, Pawling and Audubon Rds., 19407. John James Audubon's first home in America (1803-1806). Now a museum, the house features examples of every major work ever published by the artist/naturalist. 175 acres with nature trails. A National Historic Landmark. Museum Shop. Telephone: (610) 666-5593.

Pottstown: Pottsgrove Manor, Rte. 100 and West King St., 19464. Home of John Potts, colonial ironmaster and founder of Pottstown. Newly restored. Distinguished for its early Georgian architecture (1752), fine furnishings, and recently discovered slave quarters, Museum shop. Telephone: (610) 326-4014.

Schwenksville: Pennypacker Mills, Rte. 73 and Haldeman Rd., 19473. 1901 Colonial revival mansion of former Pennsylvania Governor, Samuel W. Pennypacker, on landscaped architect-designed English natural setting; 175 rural acres; walking trails, 18th through 20th century furnishings and Pennypacker family memorabilia. Exhibit gallery. Museum shop. Telephone: (610) 287-9349.

Worcester: Peter Wentz Farmstead, East of intersection of Rtes. 73 and 363 on Shearer Rd., 19490. Georgian mansion with German details, built in 1758. Twice used by Washington as headquarters during Pennsylvania campaign of 1777. Reconstructed stone barn houses equipment and farm animals typical of the period. Museum Shop. Telephone: (610) 584-5104.

ALL SITES: Open year round. Closed Mondays and national holidays. Hours: Tues-Sat 10-4, Sun 1-4. There is no admission charge, but donations are suggested.

PHILADELPHIA: Philadelphia Museum of Art, 26th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway, 19130. Within Philadelphia's extensive Fairmount Park is a group of 18th- and early 19th-century historic house museums. The Park House Guides of the Philadelphia Museum of Art offer tours of these houses, all located within a 10-minute drive of each other. (215) 763-8100. www.philamuseum.org

VERMONT

BENNINGTON: Bennington Museum & Grandma Moses Gallery, 75 Main Street, Route 9, 05201. Outstanding collections of Early American furniture, pottery, decorative arts, paintings and glass; military artifacts including the famous Bennington Flag; tools, toys, dolls and more. Independence of Thought, Freedom of Speech through 7/30 (photography by Kevin Bubriski); Enriching Our Lives: The Art and Innovation of the Hunt Family 8/28/04-4/30/05. (802) 447-1571. www.benningtonmuseum.org

MANCHESTER: Robert Todd Lincoln's Hildene, Historic Rt. 7A, 05254. Historic summer home of Robert Todd Lincoln, son of President Lincoln. Formal gardens, youth programs, events, walking trails and working farm. Tours daily mid--May through October, 9:30 to 3:00. Adults $10, Children 6 to 14 $4, members and children under 6 free. (802) 362-1788, www.hildene.org