43rd Historic Bristol Day… Take Note #4
by Cate Murway
Warning: Dates on the calendar are MUCH closer than they appear!
“Planning is in the finalization stages for the 2019 Historic Bristol Day sponsored by the Bristol Cultural & Historical Foundation [BCHF], established in 1967,” confirmed BCHF VP/HBD chairperson, Nicholas A. Rizzo. Bristol Borough, which won the title of “Main Street 2017,” will very soon be welcoming visitors to the 43rd Historic Bristol Day on Saturday, October 19th [rain or shine] from 10:00AM. to 4:00PM.
BCHF is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving over 3 centuries of Bristol's history and increasing cultural opportunities for all residents of the community, promoting pride which translates into helping and enhancing the treasure that has been inherited.
Before the Europeans came to Bristol, Radcliffe Street was an Indian path and the tall trees that lined it held nests of eagles.
Historic Bristol Day provides an eclectic variety of entertainment for all ages and appetites with food courts, a children’s corner, crafters & vendors, art and historical exhibits, walking tours, an archeological dig, tours of public buildings and churches, educational programs and so much more.
The program is available in a PDF format on the BCHF webpage.
All activities are free except the house tours and the Riverfront Tea.
Harpist Martina Miller will perform at the Riverfront Tea at 922 Radcliffe Street from 12:30-2:20PM.
Tour the town!
House tour and tea tickets may be purchased in advance at $12 each at the Bristol Tax Office, Great IDs by Anne, Mignoni Jewelry, the Mill Street Pharmacy and the Grundy Library. On Historic Bristol Day, tickets at $15 each will be sold at the info tables on Radcliffe & Market Streets and Radcliffe & Walnut Streets along with a detailed HBD program that will be issued with each ticket.
FREE shuttle buses will transport visitors in close proximity to the homes and the tea.
Women in colonial garb will meet and greet visitors at 4 of these 5 historic gems on the House Tour.
The following private homes will be open for touring from 10:00AM to 4:00PM.
507 Radcliffe Street
Kevin Christopher McFadden and his wife, Suzanne “Suzi” [Blair] have proudly made historic Bristol Borough their home now for a year. They appreciate the “walkability and small town atmosphere”.
Suzi originally was drawn to the carved front door of this amazing Victorian Gothic Revival home that echoes the architecture of the door throughout with its tall windows, beautiful crown molding and an incredible marble fireplace. The beautiful wood decorative details had become most popular in 1840-1880. The original owner of their home, built in 1851, was the pastor/ poet, Samuel Swain.
715 Radcliffe Street
Noreen Joan [Virgulti] Mulhern Riley is one of the founders of the BCHF as well as the Historic Bristol Day events. Her Greek Revival Architectural style home with 12’ ceilings and oak floors was constructed as a private residence sometime between 1857 and 1875, possibly in 1861.
Its widow's walk, also known as a widow's watch or roofwalk, is a railed rooftop platform with an Italianate cupola, also known as a "belvedere", an important ornate finish to this style home. A light would shine depicting it as the first “safe house” of the Underground Railroad.
There was once a carriage stone by the front door, a stepping stone to help passengers as they climbed in and out of carriages, popular back in the horse and buggy days of the 19th century.
Noreen graduated with the BHS class of ’49. She grew up on Washington Street and always loved the home. She married her Army Air Force husband John Joseph Mulhern in 1952 and they raised 7 children in that “warm and cozy” home on Radcliffe Street that was at one time known as Kings Highway.
719 Radcliffe Street
Patrick Mulhern and his wife, Dawn Marie [Rumovitz] moved back to Bristol Borough about 5 years ago into this modern construction home, an historic river town colonial, built in 1960 to be closer to their mothers. “Both moms live near. It was a great opportunity - no regrets. I like looking at the backyard I grew up in; and of course the river.”
Their home has hand crafted cherry cabinets and soapstone countertops. He and his wife just renovated the downstairs and added a front porch.
The Mulherns will display some antique washboards and a private collection of antique shoes.
725 Radcliffe Street
Jeffrey Paul Manto and his wife, Denise Louise [Sabol] have owned this John Dorrance, Jr. family home built in 1876 for the last 18 years. Their home is a Georgian Gothic Brownstone, a style popular after the Civil War with a massive porch. The porch floor sweeps from the South façade across the front of the east façade. “My husband always loved this home. It’s a gorgeous unique great place to raise a family and it has wonderful river views and I can see the clock tower!”
It has an amazing kitchen copper ceiling, woodwork and hardwood floors.
Pianist, Fran Danis will be performing in their home.
202 Jefferson Avenue
This home was originally purchased by Davidsons in 1978.
Diane Jones-Davidson shared that James and Margaret Stephenson from England bought the home from Augusta Kiem in 1911.
The next owner, Benjamin Silber sold it to Dr. Jules & Anna Sobel, R.N, who used it as both their home and their office.
Diane had the enclosed front porch removed, making it look as close as possible to the original home it was, a Sears & Roebuck “Modern home #113”. The front wall is an original from 1914.
The gambrel roof, a usually symmetrical two-sided roof with two slopes on each side, is a common feature of the Dutch Colonial Revival architectural style.
Keep going…. Bristol’s got heART.
Take a chance.
Digital abstract artist/ fine art photographer Rodney Miller donated his iris flowers artwork titled “Lavender Lady” to be raffled off on HBD.
Rodney’s photographs are included in the collections of Bucks County Community College, the Hospital of the University of PA and in the collection of former Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter as well as many individual collectors.
Artists of Bristol [AOB] will be available in the Community Baptist Church, 225 Radcliffe Street, downstairs in the basement. All artists will have examples of their work.
Make a sweet stop!
Susan M. “Sue” Watkins has been once again expertly STIRRING up the DELICIOUS plans for a successful BCHF Bake Sale table. The BCHF Bakery table on the 200 block of Radcliffe Street will be laden with packaged baked goods, candies, cakes, cupcakes, brownies and pastries.
Oh and rumor has it that this BCHF team is again hosting an HBD19 pie raffle!
The lucky winner will receive a scrumptious homemade old fashioned deep dish apple pie with a super flakey crust in a Christmas tree ceramic pie dish and a pie-shaped plastic storage container/ carrier with a handle to escort it safely to his/her home. Hurry! Get your raffle tickets!
*ALERT: made with raisins and assorted REAL apples. Buy your raffle ticket at the bake table for $1.00.
Then take ‘em to CHURCH!
Karen Lee Pezza, the former Principal /teacher of St. Mark School is presenting her self-authored St. Mark Church history production once again upon request. The play presentation will begin at 11:30AM starring the outgoing, vibrant 5th grade St. Mark students in the beautiful brownstone St. Mark Church with the significant stained glass windows.
Dig up some dirt!
Archeology is tons of dirt-digging, story-telling, fascinating, mystery-solving fun!
Everyone is invited to learn how excavations are conducted, look for artifacts and see how the past is documented. Come visit the Bristol Society of Friends [Quaker] Meeting House at 235 Market Street to explore 300 years or more of Bristol's history.
Stay on track!
Join in on Trainpops Attic, LLC’s 5th Anniversary event on 400 Mill Street with food, music, giveaways and raffles. It’s one of the shuttle stops!
Feeling sunny and carefree?
It's always perfect for a day on the water.
Anchor Yacht Club’s Sailboat Regatta will delight all from approximately 1:00-2:30PM.
The awards presentation will be at around 3:30PM at the wharf area and Gazebo.
* All times are wind dependent
Delaware River Yacht League [DRYL] delegate Kevin Coyne said most of the sailors are East End Yacht Club members of the Curtin Marina, Burlington, NJ. Kevin has been affiliated with the AYC for over 16 years. He owns a 38’ Irwin but he is anticipating sailing on a 27’ Catalina on HBD.
Commodore Mike McDermott will be racing his own 25’ Santana.
Anyone with a sailboat still interested in competing, give Mike a call 215.989.3068!
Join the tribes!
Snyder-Girotti Elementary School Gifted/Enrichment Teacher Lori Helkowski’s 3rd and 4th Grade Gifted and Enrichment students will perform a skit at the Grundy Library at 11:00AM which represents Native American tribes all across the USA.
The skit will include what the student’s learned last year about where our native Lenape ancestors lived, what they wore, their occupations, and how they interacted with their fellow tribesmen along the Delaware River.
You AUTO be here….
Stop at the Snyder-Girotti Elementary School, 450 Beaver Street for the Eighth Annual Car Show, an all day event with food concessions available. Michelle Hager and her students will provide coffee and donuts, muffins and bagels in the morning; and hotdogs, and homemade sausage and peppers sandwiches for lunch. Try the Italian hotdog with potatoes, peppers and mustard!
Registration begins at 9:00AM; $15 registration fee. Car show trophies and presentations will be held from 3:30PM to 4:00PM.
*Gift Certificates for King George II, Cesare’s Ristorante & Annabella’s restaurant will be raffled off!
A free shuttle bus service, running every 15 minutes, will stop at the HBD Car Show and continue its rounds to the other HBD activities.
Celebrate the 95th Anniversary of the 1st Jr. Drum & Bugle Corps
Bracken "Cavaliers" Drum and Bugle Corps will be performing from 11:30AM- 12:30PM in the Lions’ Park Gazebo. They defined post World War II America with music that was patriotic, loyal to America and LOUD, that electrified the atmosphere with an air of dignity and class.
Walking Tours
Don’t miss the opportunity to see Bristol on foot and learn really cool facts from our expert docents about the history and architecture of the town.
Walks will begin at Walnut & Radcliffe by the fountain, led by BCHF member Kitsie Saldan at 11:00AM
& by BCHF Board of Director Tony Russo at 1:00PM.
Parking with FREE shuttle service [between 10:00Am & 3:30PM] will run approximately every 15 minutes and will be available at the following locations: Dow Chemical Company’s Otter Creek Lot on Old Route 13, the Mill Street Public Parking Lot, and at the Lenox parking lot on Radcliffe Street. Pick up and drop off points include the Grundy Library, the Borough Municipal Building, the Grundy Skating Rink lot for the car show, and the corners of Radcliffe & Jefferson and Walnut & Cedar at St. James Church.
The River Runner will be operating from 11:00AM- 3:00PM with pick up & drop off locations along Radcliffe Street at the Aqua Water Facility, the Grundy Library & Museum and the St. Mark School parking lot area.
A Special Thanks is extended to the HBD Partners:
Diamond Partner, Arkema, Inc. – Altuglas
Platinum Partners, Borough of Bristol Council & Bertucci Maren Associates, Inc.
Silver Partners, Annabella’s, Fidelity Savings, Grundy Commons, Harris Comfort, Lower Bucks Hospital, Maureen M. Scanlin RE, Streamline Payroll, Wade Funeral Home, William J. Salerno & William Penn Bank
Historic Bristol Day 2019 Take Note #4 is the FINAL Note introducing the 43rd Annual Historic Bristol Day to be held on October 19, 2019.
Bristol Cultural & Historical Foundation
321 Cedar Street
Bristol, PA 19007
215.781.9895
Recommend a “Spotlight”. E-mail vjmrun@yahoo.com
