We were recently awarded the largest land preservation grant in Pennsylvania this year from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources(DCNR). We received a $1.6 million grant that will be used for the acquisition of Croydon Woods, an approximately 78-acre property near Bristol Marsh in Bristol, PA. This piece of land is part of a multi-faceted preservation plan in this important part of Bucks County. 

 

Entering the barn, you can see that three walls of the barn were stone, the east gable being frame construction. Apparently, the entire end of the barn fell down. Instead of rebuilding it of stone, it was rebuilt in wood. Going outside of the original barn (now behind the forebay), you can see an empty arched alcove that undoubtedly held an original date board or date stone. See photo below right.

  

One of the distinctive elements of the interior, besides the missing end wall, is the presence of a swing beam.  This large beam spans the depth of the barn.  It is unsupported and is cambered and arched to help it avoid deflection or sagging.  These beams were often found in smaller barns where additional floor space was needed beyond that in threshing floor.  This was to store equipment or to provide room to swing a team around to allow them to go back out the wagon doors.

 

 

The second barn is clearly visible from the road.  However, what one sees belies its real significance. From the road, this looks like a fairly typical stone bank barn.   

                                                             

It is not until you can see the sides of the barn that the truth about this barn begins to reveal itself.  Both gable ends clearly show that this was originally a much smaller ground barn. Once you start looking closely at the barn, you can begin to find out clues to its origins.   

 

Originally a small barn, this side shows that it was added upon

 

Looking under the bank bridge, is becomes recognizable that the stone under the center bay had been filled in after the barn's construction, indicating that the original doors were at ground level.  The gable ends of the barn show quoins located approximately eight feet back from the barnyard elevation.  These represent the location of the original exterior corner of the barn.  The height of the original barn is marked by a distinct chevron-shaped line beginning on the bank side of the barn at a point near where a window is now located.

 

Barely discernible is a filled-in window just under the center of the original peak of the barn.  It is slightly more visible from the interior.

The interior clearly shows the original gables and the wall height where embedded tie beams anchored the original rafter plates. 

 

These barns may sit just miles away from each other, but they are worlds apart. As you can see, each barn is unique and tells its own fascinating story!

The mansion's lavish décor set the stage for holiday cheer and excitement. Guests gathered together in their most festive black-tie attire to rally behind an important cause: preserving our regions open spaces and historic places. Aldie Mansion, a historic structure from 1927 that had fallen into disrepair until Heritage Conservancy restored it for use as its headquarters, served as the perfect backdrop to emphasize the significance of Heritage Conservancy's mission.

Mouthwatering hors d'oeuvres were walked about as attendees chatted with old friends and met new ones. Following the cocktail hour, a three-course meal was served that included indulgent delicacies such as house-cured smoked salmon and potato gaufrette with salmon caviar, filet of beef, sautéed colossal shrimp, beet risotto, and a trio of desserts. After dinner, a live auction with unique items including a gold necklace from Cowgirl Chile Co., a one-week stay at a Long Island waterfront home, a gift certificate for two hand-painted photographed portraits from Kramer Portraits, a five-course tasting from Jeffrey A. Miller Catering, and an original painting by renowned Bucks County artist Christoper Willett. Mr. Willett's painting titled Returning Home depicted a beautiful winterscape; it served as the cover artwork for the Christmas at Aldie invitation. Cordus Mundi, a Bucks County-based a cappella group, closed a delightful evening by singing Christmas carols from the very same balcony that the von Trapp family once stood to serenade the Mercers' dinner guests!