| 
In 1907, George W. Massey commissioned the architectural partners, Clarence E. Schermerhorn and Watson K. Phillips of Philadelphia to design a suburban home which incorporated elements of modern design with classic architecture.
York Street House known locally as the Massey mansion was built in 1909 by George Massey as a twenty-fifth wedding anniversary gift for his beloved wife. Massey was one of the early industrialists who settled his family in the historic river village of Lambertville, New Jersey just after the turn of the century.
The original blueprints are housed at York Street House and were displayed during a recent historical tour. Some blueprints in our possession show the penciled changes that were made during construction.
link to Blueprint
According to the architectural and historical records, the home is constructed of Flemish Bond brick and sits on a base of locally quarried Prallsville Mill stone. Its six over one windows views of the outside.
The downspouts and gutter are copper, and bear the date on the top connector. Vermont slate tiles cover the roof.
Modern technology of the times was reflected in its central vacuum system, combination gas and electric light fixtures and complete central heating. (The vacuum is still in the cellar!)
Artful touches included a stained glass window in the dining room and various leaded glass windows on the first and second floor. The fireplaces on the first floor surrounded by art tiles from the Mercer Tile Works in nearby
Doylestown, PA. Oak, chestnut and cherry wood remain along with the pocket doors on major rooms.
The carriage house (and a barn which no longer remains) is of frame construction. The carriage stepping stone sits to the right of the driveway.
The original wrought iron fence is remarkably intact. The large sugar maple and Norway maples by the side porch appear as young trees in the early House and Garden Magazine photographs.
An important design of the period, the home was featured in the December 1911 issue of House and Garden
Magazine (we have an original copy of the magazine on display).
The building has served as a private home, a church building and a boarding house in its lifetime before being resurrected as a designer showcase in 1983. Shortly after, it opened as York Street House Bed and Breakfast.
Recent History
In 1995 and 2004, the house served as a movie set and has appeared in print ads as well. Perhaps you read about us in Country Living and Philadelphia magazine.
|
