Ahh this gem of a book is finally out!
I am so honored to have had this amazing book dedicated to myself and renown Philadelphia Artist (and family friend) Noel Miles by author (and friend) Thom Nickels.
This is such a treasure of a book because Thom tells the stories of these homes and their people.
Included in his book are many homes I find amazing and two in particular. La Ronda and Loch Aerie. I also provided photographs I took of those two incredible homes.
La Ronda. October, 2009
La Ronda, which once stood in Bryn Mawr in Lower Merion Township, stands no more. She was demolished in 2009.
Loch Aerie under restoration. 2018.in the fall of 2009.
One of the darkest weeks in historic preservation was watching La Ronda (Addison Mizner, architect) come down stone by stone, floor by floor not because she had to be torn down, but because someone could just destroy her.
Others will note the wonderful chapter on Frazer’s Grande Dame, Loch Aerie (Addison Hutton, architect), who is being saved and restored to new life and a new use. Loch Aerie will live to see more stories happen between her walls.
There are many stories and many homes in this book.
Hear about historic Strawberry Mansion’s rise and fall and the sad life of architect Thomas Nevell who designed one of Philadelphia’s greatest mansions, Mount Pleasant.
Hear about Germantown’s mysterious Ebenezer Maxwell and his famous house that became the inspiration for theexterior of the popular Addams Family house.
You can buy the book on Amazon and support Thom’s hard work and his beautiful gift of storytelling. Yu can also purchase directly from the publisher.
Philadelphia Mansions: Stories and Characters Behind the Walls (Landmarks) by Thom Nickels
Buy on Amazon here: https://tinyurl.com/PhilaMansions
Buy it directly from Arcadia/History Press here: https://www.arcadiapublishing.com/Products/9781625859518
And on April 10th there will be a wonderful event and discussion of the book at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. You can buy tickets HERE for that special event. They are only $10.
In the fall of 2018, the Tredyffrin Historic Preservation Trust will also be featuring a special event with this book. Details will be forthcoming soon on that event!