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Feature Pneffiitrks(EoittityBy MIKE RENSHAWFourier Times Staff Writerthe house where one has spentyouth holds a unique fascination.house usually looksbegidriving away from the house thersation is centered arourhappened to Mrs So andgenerallyi providethe briefpastBut what if that house, rich with fond memoriesfires andbeen ravaged by vandals, scarredMorris' boyhoodhas happenedsurroundedenjoyedsion in the Holly Hill section of LevittowNow. 53. residing in Wiscassit, Me.. Morris is aflight instructor at the Pan American Airline headquarters in New York He teaches pilots to fly the 747Boeing Jet.The mansion has become an eyesore to some local residents. Fire officials have declared it a hazard and vandals have disfigured the old structure.The mansion was used by the University of Pennsylvania for several years and it also used as a V.I.P house for visitors to the U.S. Steel’s Fairless Works.Bristol Township took over the old building and used it as a township headquarters until 1966. The property was transferred to the township by Levitt and Sons, Corp.The house, according to Morris, was constructedin 1695 and the second section of the mansion wasconstructed in 1790It is the oldest building in Bucks County and perhaps the oldest building in the state.moved out(here have beenbeentownship offered to let the building go for $1 to any charitable or historical organization.In private bidding the property price has ranged from $30,000 to $60,000. Several people attempted to purchase the property but were not successful, due to financing problems.A member of the Morris family married with a member of the Pemberton family. The builder andwfirst master of the old mansion was Phmeas Pemberton. a close friend of William Penn.An attempt to save the Bolton Mansion has ap-prently failed in HarrisburgA bill to have the state take over the Bolton Ma-sion and the five acres of ground on which passed the Senate in 1969. But the Assembly, confronted with the cost problem, did not act on the bill. Assemblyman Milton Berkes, who is backing aTO hAGSthe Bolton Mansion in Bnstol Township is shown in its stately beauty of theBelowiTimes photo hvstate takeover of the facility, has not announced the expected cost of refurbishing the historic structure.Knowledgable persons say it will cost $150,000 to $200,000 to rebuild the mansion.these times of financial crisis in Harrisburg, itbe re-leased for a historical project — even the oldest in Bucks County.seems unlikely that kind of appropriationIn 1969 the Bucks County Conservancy and the Penns bury Society signed a one-year agreement with Bristol Township to take over the care and security the building until the state Likes action.That agreement expires at the end of this month.As planned, if the state appropriation ever becomes a reality, part of the house will be restored as a museum and other rooms will be made into offices and rented to produce revenue for maintenance.Bristol Towmship commissioners have received pressure from some area residents to have the old building torn down. But the commissioners don’tthesuch a project.expenseRecently the commissioners met with membersof the Pennsbury Society and the Bucks (Vmntv Conservancy to discuss the future of the mansion.The historians requesteo that the township extend the existing agreement for another 12 months. The Bristol Township fire marshal was at the meeting and called for the destruction of the building calling it a death trap” in its present condition.The commissioners are expected to take some action on the Bolton Mansion question on March 17 at their monthly meetingAnd so the mansion sits in uncertainty.Realizing the predicament of the mansion. Morrisremarked. “I don’t want to be one to stand in the wav of progress but his house is an important historical landmark for all of Pennsylvania.”gpr.Morris spent his boyhood summers and weekendsat the Bolton Mansion and recalls that it encompassed three farms — Westview, Fairvicw and Bolton.“My grandfather loved that mansion he had a herd of prize cattle in those days and the estate consisted of 640 acres. There were avenues of Sycamore■wtrees in the rear of the house and inside the 20 rooms were decorated in authentic early American design. “The house was warm and friendly and I havewnothing but fond memories of the Bolton Mansion Iremember there was aabout 300 feet from tinhouse and in the summer we used to spend a lot oftime fishing there.”Morris added that if he could afford to repair the home he would purchase it.“If they level that home it will be more than a shame. It will be the destruction of a part of Pennsylvania’s history,” he declared.
Newspaper Details
Bucks County Courier Times
Levittown, Pennsylvania, US
Fri, Mar 05, 1971
Page 21
Full Page
Clipped by
Margaret R.
PA, USA 18 Apr 2022
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