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"Collen
Brook"
"On a flowing creek, nestled among
several acres of century-like beauty, is a
charming 18th century farmhouse, the
'Collen Brook'." With these words in 1994,
Debe Hill began a brief history of the
Lewis Smith family and their homestead,
the "Collen Brook" Farm. Since these words
were penned, another period in the life of
the "Collen Brook" Farm has elapsed, and a
new chapter is about to begin. The
restoration of the building is essentially
complete, and the process of transforming
the newly furbished landmark into a museum
and center for Upper Darby history has
commenced.
The
Restored "Collen Brook"
Farmhouse
Beginning in the summer of 1994, the
restoration and preservation of the
"Collen Brook" farmhouse began in earnest.
Following the results of an a ecological
dig, funded by the Upper Darby Historical
Society, which established the original
slope of the front yard, work began on
restoring the large front porch of the
house. The porch runs the entire length of
the house, dominating the anterior vista
of the premises and conveying a sense of
welcome and protection to all that
approach. In November, upon conclusion of
the project, the Society hosted a
dedication ceremony for the porch and
commemorated the 200th year of the oldest
portion of the homestead.
Throughout the latter part of 1995 and
the first half of 1996, restoration
efforts were directed towards the western
part of the house. Major work was done on
stabilizing the sinking western exterior
wall, securing a second floor interior
wall that was settling through the kitchen
ceiling, reestablishing the original
service staircase, and completely
refurbishing and rewiring the interior.
When this phase of the restoration was
finished, the property was again
habitable, and a caretaker occupied the
premises in June.
The most important and extensive
restoration work occurred during the fall
of 1996. First, the house received a cedar
shake roof, and the gutters and downspouts
were replaced. Next, the sinking floor in
the front room was leveled, new wiring was
installed, interior and exterior walls
were repaired – in short, the entire
1794 section of the famous farmhouse was
refurbished and restored.
Today, the "Collen Brook" Farm is on
the threshold of a new era in its more
than 300 year existence. The Upper Darby
Historical Society, in consultation with
Township officials and with experts in the
field of historical museums, has the
process of creating a museum that will
exhibit and convey the dynamic past of
Upper Darby Township in general and of the
Lewis-Smith family in particular. Through
restored period rooms, exhibit space and
experiential programs, the Society hopes
to educate and inspire countless people
who are expected to visit the site over
the years.
Upper Darby Township is fortunate to
have a rich history that dates back from
native- American times through the dawn of
European colonization to the recent past.
In the near future, the "Collen Brook"
Farm will display this history for all to
savor and enjoy.
The above
information concerning "Collen Brook"
and The Smith Center for Local History
is courtesy of Bill McDevitt.
The above picture of the "Collen Brook"
Farmhouse
is courtesy of Tom
Smith.
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