Tag: historic home moving

Moving? Check Out These Historic Homes Around Philadelphia, PA

Posted on by rhunt

There are thousands of historic homes in Philadelphia. It is one of the greatest cities in American history, where many of this nation’s greatest stories and figures once lived. Subsequently, history comes alive in its homes.

Elfreth’s Alley

Courtesy of BenFranske

Elfreth’s Alley is one of the oldest residential streets in Philadelphia. Constructed in 1706, this row of townhouses is a beautiful example of pre and post-Revolution architecture. The area remains a popular tourist destination in the heart of the city. In 1966, NPS designated the entire area a National Historic Landmark.

 

Strawberry Mansion

Strawberry Mansion, built in 1789 by judge and abolitionist William Lewis, is the largest of the Fairmount Park historic homes. Currently, it functions as a museum after being converted from a residence in the 1930s. The home is open for tours and frequently functions as a private rental space for events.

Edgar Allen Poe National Historic Site

The Edgar Allen Poe National Historic Site is preserved to reflect the writing environment  of author Edgar Allen Poe. It is one of several homes in Philadelphia that Poe lived in during his time in the city. Notably, it is the only of his former homes that still stands. The home is open on weekends for visitors, but remains closed otherwise.

Laurel Hill Mansion

Laurel Hill Mansion, also known as Randolph House, is another historic Fairmount Park home. It sits on the Schuylkill River, on a crest above the water. The central part of the house was constructed in 1767, with the northern addition being added almost a century later. At the moment, the home hosts concerts and private tours.

Pennsbury Manor

Courtesy of Shuvaev, Wikimedia

Pennsbury Manor maintains the expansive ambition of it’s former owner, William Penn. Penn was the founder of the Colony of Pennsylvania and his former home remains a thriving museum. History fans can come for tours of the 43-acre grounds and a monthly historical book club. Additionally, curious young minds can attend summer history camps. The camp curriculum centers around learning the skills like gardening and needlework. For adults, the annual Brews & Bites Festival brings together craft beer, cider, wine, and local flavors for a relaxing afternoon on the Delaware River.

 

Bartram’s Garden

Courtesy of Jtfry at English Wikipedia

North America’s oldest botanical garden rounds out our list. Unusually, the house on the premises is not the main attraction, the estate that Bartram’s Garden sits on remains one of the most beautiful in Pennsylvania. The grounds are home to outdoor classes, a horticultural society, weddings, and many other events. It’s original owner, John Bartram, began the garden’s botanical legacy in 1728 and passed it down through his family tree.

Owning Your Own

If you love history or the beauty of historic architecture, why not live in a historic home yourself? Although these examples are not residential homes, you can find hundreds of historic homes for sale in the Philadelphia area. For an updated list of available homes in Philadelphia, browse Redfin’s listings for vintage homes. Or, browse Zillow’s area-zoned collection of historic listings.

Moving Into History

If you want to move into a historic home, it’s crucial to understand the challenges and responsibilities of ownership. Particularly, understanding the challenge of protecting a history home from damage during a move. For more information, check out our blog post about Moving Into a Historic Home.

Olympia has the experience to move you into your own historic home. We can make your transition from a modern house into a piece of the past easy and seamless.

If you are planning on moving into a historic home, contact Olympia Moving and Storage today at 800-222-4744 or fill out our free estimate form.

Charming Historic Homes Around Boston, MA

Posted on by rhunt

Massachusetts is rife with colonial architecture and history. Specifically, over 50,000 historic homes currently stand across the state. Many were built before the American Revolution.

In recent times, most houses on the market have similar styles. Consequently, many people are moving into historic homes for their character. Boston has an extensive market of available historic homes. As a Boston moving company, Olympia has plenty of experience in moving families into historic homes.

Check out this list of some of the most interesting historic houses around Boston.

Sunflower House

The first floor of the Sunflower House stands out thanks to bright yellow stucco. The red, English-style shingles on the roof add to the color. Even a large sunflower carving sits a story above the front door. This beautiful home brings color to the Beacon Hill neighborhood in downtown Boston.

Nichols House

Nichols House is located in Beacon Hill at the heart of Boston. Suffragist and gardener, Rose Standish Nichols, originally owned the home.  Built in 1804, the home was renovated in 1830. Currently, it functions as a museum.

Old Manse

Old Manse was constructed in 1770. Writer and transcendentalist Ralph Waldo Emerson, was its famous resident. Located just outside of Boston in the town of Concord, Emerson’s famous essay ‘Nature’ was first written on the upper floor of this house.

Longfellow House

Constructed in 1759 in Cambridge, the Longfellow House was once the headquarters of George Washington. In fact, Washington used the house as a headquarters for one year during the Siege of Boston. It’s view of the Charles River remains one of its defining traits.

Jame’s Blake House

Built in 1661, the Jame’s Blake house is the oldest house in all of Boston. Later, in 1896, the house moved about 500 feet from its original location. The home changed hands many times since its constructed, but is currently owned by the City of Boston. The home also sports a unique Western English architectural style rarely found in the region.

Paul Revere House

Built in 1680, this house is the oldest in downtown Boston. It was home to Paul Revere, whose midnight ride remains a cornerstone of American history. That’s why in 1961 the home was declared a National Historic Landmark. It opened for public tours after $4 million dollars of renovations.

Stonehurst

Located just outside of the city in Waltham, this house is the former country estate of Robert Treat Paine, a lawyer and philanthropist. Completed in 1866, this house sits right next to the Lyman Estate. In fact, Paine’s wife, Lydia Lyman, formerly owned the estate. Later, in 1972, it opened to the public as a park.

Oak Bluffs Gingerbread Houses

Although these homes are quite far south of Boston, they boast undeniable charm. Located on the island of Martha’s Vineyard, the Oak Bluff’s Gingerbread Houses are a collection of 318 Carpenter Gothic cottages that were formerly Methodist camp meeting houses. That’s why the entire area is a National Historic Landmark District.

Owning Your Own

If you love the beautiful historic homes of Boston and its surrounding towns, why not live in one yourself? You can find hundreds of historic homes in the Boston area, just waiting for a new owner. For example, listed historic homes can be found at Barret Sotheby’s, Cabot and Company, or Historic Homes Boston. Furthermore, a more general database of all available historic homes in Boston and around Massachusetts, is located at Antique Home’s sales directory.

Moving Into History

If you do decide to move into a historic home, make sure that you understand the challenges and responsibilities of ownership. For more information, check out our blog post about Moving Into a Historic Home.

Olympia has the experience to move you into your own historic home. We can make your transition from a modern house into a piece of the past easy and seamless.

If you are planning on moving into a historic home, contact Olympia Moving and Storage today at 800-222-4744 or fill out our free estimate form.