Download aloha manor house - Lower Merion Township

HISTORIC RESOURCE IMPACT STUDY
ALOHA MANOR HOUSE
1862 Aloha Lane, Lower Merion Township
August 4, 2010
W ISE PRESERVATION PLANNING LLC
1480 HILLTOP ROAD, CHESTER SPRINGS PA 19425
PHONE (484) 202-8187 – FAX (484) 202-8174
WISEPRESERVATION.COM
HISTORIC RESOURCE IMPACT STUDY
ALOHA / HOWARD W OOD JR. MANOR HOUSE
Executive Summary
This Historic Resource Impact Study has been prepared in
response to the planned demolition of the Howard Wood Jr.
Manor House, also known as Aloha, located at 1862 Aloha
Lane in Gladwyne. The study was completed in accordance
with the Lower Merion Township Zoning Ordinance § 155153.1 Historic Resource Impact Study and other applicable
ordinance provisions. Its purpose is to document the historic
resource, determine its historic and/or architectural
significance, examine the proposed plan and its potential
impacts on the historic resource, and make recommendations
to mitigate negative impacts, including an examination of
alternative plans. The applicants are Neil and Barbara Smit,
c/o Joseph C. Kuhls. This study is required to be filed as part
of a demolition permit review process. The applicants have
indicated the desire to build a single family dwelling.
Aloha, a large Colonial Revival style residence designed by
the Philadelphia architectural firm Brockie & Hastings, was
built in 1914. It was constructed as a Colonial Revival style
manor house for Howard Wood Jr. For a time, Wood served as
President of Alan Wood Steel Company, one of the largest
steel companies in the country during his service there. Aloha
appears eligible for the National Register of Historic Places as
a highly intact and excellent example of the Colonial Revival
style manor house, and is possibly eligible for its association
with Howard Wood Jr. as a person of historic significance.
The property is Historic Resource #GL242 on the Lower
Merion Township Historic Resource Inventory and is a Class II
historic resource.
PAGE 1
The applicant plans to demolish the Aloha manor house but
keep its associated garage. Its demolition will constitute a
“Total Impact” on the resource, as described in the Impact
Section of this study. This study includes extensive historic
and physical description elements in response to the proposed
demolition. The Impact Assessment and Mitigation
Recommendations section found in this report offers several
recommendations for this property, including that the applicant
consider alternatives to demolition, including retaining the
house as a residence or incorporating it into the design of a
larger residence.
One adjacent property contains historic resources included on
the Lower Merion Township historic inventory. This property,
an outparcel of the Aloha property, contains a mid-19th century
farmhouse and two associated resources now part of the
Riverbend Environmental Education Center. This study found
no impact from the project on the historic resources on the
Riverbend property.
That said, no plans have been presented to this consultant
(other than the intent to demolish the manor house) that shows
any new construction etc. that might present an impact on
these resources. It should also be noted that little of the manor
house is visible from the end of Aloha Lane.
HISTORIC RESOURCE IMPACT STUDY
ALOHA / HOWARD W OOD JR. MANOR HOUSE
Project Background
PAGE 2
Owner in Equity/Applicant
Tax Parcel
Acreage
Date of construction
Neil & Barbara Smit,
c/o Joseph C. Kuhls
40-00-0052-030
(Block 12F, Unit 82)
6.7 acres
1914
Purpose of Report
The purpose of this study is to document the Aloha Manor
House property, determine the historical significance of the
house and adjacent stable/garage (garage), evaluate the
impact of the proposed demolition of the house, and make
recommendations to mitigate negative impacts. The applicant
proposes to demolish the existing residence and construct a
new single family residence on the property. The garage will
remain. Per the ordinance, the study also examines adjacent
properties containing identified historic resources.
Map of Lower Merion Township (1998), with location of subject tract
indicated.
Location
The 6.7-acre property is located at 1862 Aloha Lane,
Gladwyne, Pa., in the northeast part of Lower Merion
Township. The subject tract is located just inside the
“Conshohocken Curve” of the Schuylkill Expressway.
Identification
Address
1862 Aloha Lane
Historic Resource #
GL 242
Resource Classification 2
The report was produced to fulfill the requirements found in the
Lower Merion Township municipal code §155-153.1 Historic
Resource Impact Study and other applicable ordinance
provisions. Specifically, the study was required as part of the
demolition permit application submission.
Personnel
This study was conducted by Robert J. Wise, Jr., President of
Wise Preservation Planning LLC, and Seth Hinshaw, Senior
Preservation Planner, of the same firm. Wise Preservation
Planning LLC (Wise) is a historic preservation consulting,
planning and research firm based in Chester Springs, Pa.
Messrs. Wise and Hinshaw exceed the Professional
Qualification Standards for architectural historians as set forth
HISTORIC RESOURCE IMPACT STUDY
ALOHA / HOWARD W OOD JR. MANOR HOUSE
by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior in 48 FR 44716 and 36
CFR 61 and has conducted several such studies in Lower
Merion Township. Wise is under contract with Neil and
Barbara Smit.
Note: This report is not a technical structural analysis.
Architects and structural engineers were not retained for
this investigation. Any specific structural or architectural
analysis decisions should be based on an inspection
and report by a structural engineer or architect and not
on the basis of this report.
Dates of Investigation
The project was undertaken in July, 2010.
Definitions
Subject Tract – The 6.7-acre Class II historic property (GL
242) where the development is proposed. It contains the Aloha
Manor House and Garage.
Aloha – The manor house located at 1862 Aloha Lane,
constructed in 1914 for Howard Wood Jr. and designed
by the Philadelphia architectural firm Brockie &
Hastings.
PAGE 3
tract, containing the Riverbend Environmental
Education Center. The 25-acre parcel is located at 1950
Spring Mill Road. This property was subdivided from the
Aloha Manor in 1975. A historic farmhouse, its
associated barn, and a stone ruin are the three historic
resources on the property.
The township historic preservation ordinance requires
the identification of adjacent parcel(s) containing historic
resources included in the township inventory.
The original blueprints for the house and its associated garage
are in the possession of the Renthal family, the current owners
and residents. Selected sheets have been reproduced for
inclusion in this report. Where possible, the names originally
given to the rooms are used in this report. Larger versions of
the key elements from the blueprints are reproduced in the
appendix.
Aloha
Garage – North of the manor house is a garage, built in
1915 and also designed by Brockie & Hastings.
Adjacent Properties Containing Historic Resources
Riverbend – the Class II property (GL 242) wrapping
around the north, east, and south sides of the subject
Riverbend
Aerial map adapted from Google Maps.
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ALOHA / HOWARD W OOD JR. MANOR HOUSE
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Ordinance provisions
The Lower Merion Township Historic Preservation Ordinance
requires the following specific information at §155-153.1.B:
Background Information
Aloha
Site Plan
Aloha Lane
Riverbend
Spring Mill Road
Detail of the Lower Merion Township tax map.
General description and
classification of historic
resources on subject tract
Statement of significance for
Class I and Class II resources
Black and white photographs of
resources
Narrative description of subject
tract
The Existing Conditions /
Demolition Plan produced by
Momenee & Associates, Inc.
and dated 7/9/2010 is included
in the appendix
Included in this report
Included in this report
Attached to this report
Included in this report
Proposed Change
General description, site plan,
timetable
Description of impact on Class I
and Class II historic resources
General description of effect of
noise and traffic
To be supplied by the applicant
Included in this report
Because the property is
landlocked, the effect will be
limited to hauling away debris
after demolition.
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Historic Narrative
Overview
Aloha, the Manor House constructed in 1914, represents the
continuing wealth generated by Alan Wood Iron & Steel (later
Alan Wood Steel Company), a Conshohocken steelmaker that
produced an incredible 8% of the nation’s entire steel
production in the early 20th century. The Wood family
purchased land on the west side of the Schuylkill River, across
from the mill, and built several estates on land where a small
village and a Civil War military encampment had been located.
Aloha was built for Howard Wood Jr., a steel magnate.
Although Aloha is now 96 years old, it has had just two owners
as of 2010.
Spring Mill Heights
In the 19th century, the property was located on the outskirts of
a village named Spring Mill Heights. The village was located
on a road running along the east bank of the Schuylkill in the
location of today’s Schuylkill Expressway and the
Pennsylvania Railroad. The village included a hotel, train
station, and several houses.
Because of the easy accessibility of the location by train, a
Civil War hospital named Camp Discharge was established
near the train station. It also served as a center for mustering
out troops at the end of the war (hence the name). A small
sentry house remains near the subject tract from the Civil War
encampment.1
1
William Morrison, The Main Line: Country Houses 1870-1930 (NYC:
Acanthus Press, 2002), p. 46.
Detail of the Lower Merion plate (showing the subject tract vicinity) on
the Atlas of the County of Montgomery and State of Pennsylvania
(Philadelphia: G.M. Hopkins, 1871). Red arrow indicates future location
of Aloha.
The Wood Family
The nature of the landscape in the vicinity of the property
began to change in 1890. The Wood family, who owned a
company named “Alan Wood Iron & Steel” in Conshohocken,
began purchasing land across the river from their steel mill
(including the land where the Civil War hospital had been
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Representatives (as did John Wood), constructed a high style
manor house named Woodmont west of the subject tract
(1892-1895) on the highest point in Lower Merion Township.2
Howard Wood had a house built on the military camp grounds
south of the subject tract. Alan Wood Jr. had two other manor
houses built on adjacent properties, named Bellevue and
Highland. Overall, the Wood family owned 500 acres in the
vicinity of the subject tract.
The tract where Aloha was later built was purchased by
Percival Roberts and was part of his Bryntyddyn estate.3 It is
remarkable that Roberts lived in this cluster of Wood estates,
as Roberts was one of the owners of the Pencoyd Iron Works,
a competitor of Alan Wood Iron & Steel. Percival Roberts
purchased portions of the village of Spring Mill Heights, and
historic maps indicate that the number of buildings located
there gradually decreased. In 1900, Pencoyd merged with the
American Bridge Company, and Roberts moved further south
in Lower Merion Township.4
Detail of Lower Merion plate (showing the subject tract) of the
Combination Map of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania (Philadelphia:
J.D. Scott, 1877). Arrow indicates future location of Aloha.
located). The business was founded in 1848 by John Wood
(1816-1898). The next generation of Woods purchased the
land in Lower Merion Township that included the subject tract.
As they gradually expanded their holdings, the earlier small
farm plots began to disappear. Alan Wood Jr., one of the
owners of the steel business who served in the U.S. House of
2
Jean B. Toll and Michael J. Schwager, editors, Montgomery County: The
Second Hundred Years (Norristown, PA: Montgomery County Federation of
Historical Societies, 1983), pp. 318.
3
Railroad maps consulted for the historic narrative but not shown here are
the Atlas of Lower Merion (Philadelphia: A.H. Mueller, 1896) and the
Property Atlas: Main Line, Pennsylvania Railroad from Overbrook to Paoli
(Philadelphia: A.H. Mueller, 1908).
4
Toll, pp. 432, 1347.
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Howard Wood, president of Alan Wood Iron & Steel,
purchased most of the Bryntyddyn property from the Roberts
family in 19075 and was the owner of the property at the time
of his death in 1911.6 His share in the steel company devolved
to his son Howard Wood Jr.
Detail of the Lower Merion plate (showing the vicinity of the subject
tract) in the Property Atlas of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
(Philadelphia: J.L. Smith, 1893). Note: Aloha manor house not yet built.
5
6
Montgomery County Deed Book 608, p. 430.
New York Times, 7/3/1911.
Detail of the Atlas of Properties on Main Line, Pennsylvania Railroad
from Overbrook to Paoli (Philadelphia: A.H. Mueller, 1913). This map
shows the property just prior to the construction of Aloha. Note that
Spring Mill Heights village has completely disappeared. Note: Aloha
manor house not yet built.
HISTORIC RESOURCE IMPACT STUDY
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PAGE 8
in 1926.7 He was active in sports as well as the family
business, being a member of the Merion Cricket Club and
Markham Club.8 Wood was one of the leading players on a
local sports team named the Philadelphia Manufacturers, with
many of his records reported in local newspapers.9 In 1922, a
Philadelphia Inquirer reporter described Wood as “the
diminutive captain and guard” of the Philadelphia
Manufacturers team.10
Howard Wood Jr. married Phebe Wilmer in 1913.11 It is
reported by the current residents of Aloha that the newlyweds
went to Hawaii on their honeymoon, which may explain the
name of the manor house they constructed beginning the
following year.
Detail of Property Atlas, Main Line, Pennsylvania Railroad from
Overbrook to Paoli (Philadelphia: A.H. Mueller, 1920).
Aloha
Howard Wood Jr. built the Aloha manor house in 1914. At the
time of his father’s death, his brother Biddle Wood became
owner of the family property on the former Civil War hospital
grounds. Howard Wood Jr. spent most of his adult life working
in the Alan Wood Steel Company, rising from secretary to
treasurer, then to vice president. He served briefly as president
The current residents of Aloha have the original blueprints.
The architect was T. Mitchell Hastings of the firm Brockie &
Hastings, a firm formed in 1903 and which practiced until
1919. Arthur H. Brockie was a graduate of the University of
Pennsylvania, earning a B.S. in Architecture in 1895. After
working with Cope & Stewardson, he traveled in Europe very
early in the 20th century, returning home in 1903 to open his
practice with T. Mitchell Hastings. Hastings earned his degree
in Architecture from Harvard University and studied in Paris for
two years before entering into the practice with Brockie.
Although the blueprints state only the name of the firm,
Hastings is thought to have been the architect of Aloha.
7
Norristown Times Herald, 1/19/1956.
Philadelphia Inquirer, 10/20/1913.
9
Philadelphia Inquirer, 1/2/1922.
10
Articles specifically discussing Wood’s accomplishments include the
Philadelphia Inquirer, 11/13/1921, 1/2/1922.
11
Philadelphia Inquirer, 10/20/1913.
8
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Brockie’s greater talents and interest were in the design and
construction of hospitals (Rush Hospital, Univ. of Pennsylvania
Hospital, and the Jewish Maternity Hospital) and other large
buildings.12 Among the firm’s major commissions in the Main
Line include Ravenscliff in St. David’s and the stable of
Colebrook Manor.13
Detail of the Franklin Survey Atlas of Main Line (Philadelphia:
Franklin Survey Company), 1939.
Legend of the first sheet of architectural blueprints for the Aloha manor
house, identifying Brockie & Hastings as the architect. Similar legends
are found on other blueprints.
It is possible that the Woods renamed the property. Railroad
atlases last identify the property as “Aloha” in 1926. The
Franklin Survey Atlas of 1939 (shown above), identifies the
property as “Linden Farm.” This is the only railroad atlas that
uses the name “Linden Farm” to describe the property.
Howard Wood Jr. lived at Aloha until his death in 1956,
although he owned other houses in Centerville, Maryland, and
Winter Park, Florida. He retired from the family business in
1936.14 Wood died at his Florida house. In his will, dated 1948,
he left Aloha to his widow Phebe and their children.
12
American Architects and Buildings database, posted on the website of
the Philadelphia Athenaeum.
13
Morrison, p. 85.
14
Norristown Times Herald, 1/19/1956.
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PAGE 10
After Phebe Wood’s death in 1973, the heirs decided to sell
the property. In 1974, the grandchildren created the Riverbend
Environmental Education Center along the eastern portion of
the property. To accommodate the center, the grandchildren
created an outparcel that included the historic farmhouse and
barn on Spring Mill Road.15 The subdivision of the manor
property also resulted in the creation of a 6.7-acre lot
containing the Aloha manor house plus vacant building lots
created along Aloha Lane.
In 1977, Lois W. Renthal purchased the Aloha manor house
from the descendants of Howard Wood Jr. The manor house
had been vacant for two years. She and her husband Dr. A.
Gerald Renthal have lived there since that time. Dr. Renthal
served for several years as the president of the board of health
in Lower Merion Township.16 He was the fifth president of the
Bridlewild Trails Association.17 The Association continues to
maintain a trail system in the Gladwyne area.18
Detail of the Real Estate Atlas of the Main Line (Philadelphia: Franklin
Survey Company, 1981). Note the large size of the historic garage. Also
the nonhistoric garage is shown, as is a tennis court on the location of
the current Banzai garden.
15
Toll, p. 319.
Philadelphia Inquirer, 5/14/1989.
17
Philadelphia Inquirer, 1/3/1991.
18
Philadelphia Inquirer, 6/18/1989.
16
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Physical Description
Stone wall
Stable /
Garage
Subject Tract
The subject tract is located in the northern part of Lower
Merion Township, inside the “Conshohocken Curve” of the
Schuylkill Expressway. It is accessed off Aloha Lane, a dead
end road at the east end of Spring Mill Road. A manor house,
its associated stable/garage, and a nonhistoric garage and
shed are located near the center of the property. The drive, a
continuation of Aloha Lane, proceeds east through a gate,
curves south and east of the manor house, and then curves
north to the garage. The property is moderately wooded and
drains to the northeast.
Garage
Foundation of
cold frame
Shed
Manor House
N
Drive
Site Plan of historic resources (not drawn to scale). Gray buildings are
not historic.
View of the property drive, facing west from a point south of the manor
house. The Manor House is oriented south and looks out over this “front
yard” area of the property.
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PAGE 12
The property drive has blacktop laid over pavers, leading from
the west in an arc around to the east end of the manor house.
A low stone wall lines the north side of the drive. East of the
manor house is a semi-formal Japanese garden with small
buildings built of bamboo and gravel walkways running through
the sand and vegetative beds. A tennis court was originally
located here. The back yard northwest of the manor house is
partially framed by a dry-laid stone wall three feet high and
running in two courses (resulting in an L-shape). Near the
corner of the stone wall is the concrete foundation of a former
cold frame measuring 25x5 feet. The land falls steeply behind
(north) of the stable/garage.
Foundation of concrete cold frame northeast of the manor house, facing
east. The dry laid stone wall is visible in the left background.
Dry laid stone wall northwest of the manor house, facing east.
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PAGE 13
near the center of the building to ventilate a fireplace in the
center hall. A cross-gable on the rear elevation provides space
for a large Palladian window lighting the formal stairs; the
house also features gabled dormers on both slopes. The walls
of the building are stone, laid in semi-coursed pattern. The
mortar between the stones was finished with lapped ridge
pointing on all walls (as well as the garage).
Aloha, main (south) elevation.
South Elevation
The south elevation is the historic “front” of the main block.
The south slope of the roof has four gabled dormers. The
molded raking cornices of the dormers feature small dentils
and are supported by fluted pilasters located under small
returns. The dormers have narrow clapboard walls. The face of
each dormer has an arched headed window located under a
keystone; the multi-light windows have a sash with intersecting
tracery over a six light lower sash. Meanwhile, ogee brackets
support the building’s thick molded cornice.
ALOHA EXTERIOR DESCRIPTION
Aloha is an L-shaped building consisting of a 2½-story main
block oriented south, a servants’ wing reaching north, and
porches on the ends of the main block (one enclosed). It is an
excellent example of an early 20th century Colonial Revival
style manor house. The building retains a high degree of
integrity, with original finishes throughout the exterior and
interior.
The main block faces south. Its overall measurements are
64’x32’. Its end-gabled roof is clad with asbestos shingles and
features large paired chimneys paired across the ridge on both
end walls; in addition, a single stone chimney flue is located
Typical dormer on south slope of roof
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PAGE 14
A formal stone jackarch is located over each window, as
shown in the photo above. The foundation, which is also stone,
features a “watertable,” a thicker wall feature rising
approximately two feet from the ground around the entire
house. Watertables are often found on early 18th century
buildings.
Per the Colonial Revival style, fenestration is mostly
symmetrical. On the south elevation, the second floor has six
windows, placed symmetrically but not all aligned over the first
floor windows. The second floor windows are 6x6 double hung
sash units with operating louvered shutters.
Detail of the dormers and brackets on the south elevation of the manor
house.
Detail of portico on south elevation.
Detail of a typical 6x6 window on the south elevation. Note the stone
jackarch lintel.
The main entrance portico dominates the first floor and divides
its wall surface into three parts. The portico roof is an extended
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tympanum with a thick molded raking cornice. It features
dentils lining the bottom of the raking cornice and running
along the top of the entablature supporting the tympanum.
Four unfluted Tuscan columns support the south ends of the
tympanum; two pilasters are located along the wall surface to
support the tympanum’s north corners. The main entrance is
centered on the portico. It is a 2-leaf Dutch door opening under
a four-pane transom; the door frame features fluted pilasters
and decorative ovals of “punch and gouge” work. Flanking the
door are 4x4 sidelight windows with 3-paneled shutters. On
either side of the portico are two 6x6 windows. All first floor
windows feature 3-paneled shutters with Federal style raised
panels; in keeping with the Federal style, the top panel is
smaller than other panels. The center panels feature heartshaped cutouts near the top of the center panel. According to
the Renthals, the cutouts were designed as a reminder that the
house was built as a honeymoon gift for Howard Wood Jr. and
Phebe Wilmer.
A formal stone stairway leads down south of the portico to the
grade of the property drive.
PAGE 15
Detail of the oval “punch-and-gouge work” above the main entrance.
Left: Detail
of the 4x4
window
west of the
entrance.
Right:
Detail of
the main
entrance.
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West Elevation
The west elevation was the end wall originally facing west and
the first elevation to be seen from the property drive. It repeats
many features described on the south elevation.
The large double flue chimney (sometimes called an Hchimney) is highly visible. It was built flush with the end wall
and breaks the molded bargeboards. A cornice return running
along the eaveline features ogee brackets under the soffits. In
the triangular space above the cornice return, a half-circle
louver ventilates the attic; centered under the louver is a
casement window under a jackarch. The datestone is centered
below the cornice return; it reads H P W 1914 (for Howard and
Phebe Wood).
Fenestration on the west end is symmetrical. Window units
and doors match those found elsewhere. The second floor
level consists of two doors opening onto a balcony. The
balcony is located on the flat roofed west porch. Between the
windows is the datestone. The doors are multi-light units with
door shutters leading from the balcony into two interior rooms
(the master bedroom suite).
The west porch is centered on the west end of the house. In
keeping with the Colonial Revival fashion of the time, the main
block is flanked by large end porches, each having a flat roof
supporting balconies above. The balcony railings consist of
thick posts connnected by heavy, three-dimensional balusters.
The lower level, originally similar in appearance to the east
porch, has plate glass windows framed in between the unfluted
columns. It is accessed by the interior of the main block.
West elevation of Aloha manor house. Note the servants’ wing (left) and
the enclosed porch (foreground).
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East Elevation
The east elevation includes the end wall of the main block and
the main elevation of the servants’ wing. Most details of the
west elevation are repeated on the east elevation, including
the paired chimney, the attic louver, and the casement
window. One difference is the porch, which is not enclosed.
Consistent with what is thought to have been the original
appearance of the west porch, three Tuscan columns are
located near the outer corners to support the second floor
balcony. The porch is accessed from a door into the southeast
room of the first floor.
Detail of the railing of the balcony over the west balcony, as seen from
grade.
East elevation of main block.
Interior of railing around the balcony, as seen from the second floor.
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Fenestration on the east end is symmetrical. As on the west
end, windows are 6x6 units with louvered shutters on the
second floor and 3-paneled units on the first floor.
North Elevation
The north elevation of the main block is the formal rear of the
house. Its roof differs from the south elevation due to the
presence of a cross-gable rising up from the stone wall. The
feature provides space and lighting into the formal stairwell
within. The cross gable features a rectangular 6x6 window; the
north slope of the roof has a single gabled dormer to the east
and west like those on the south slope. Like the south
elevation, the roof is clad with asbestos shingles and features
a molded cornice with ogee brackets.
East porch, facing south.
Detail of the southeast corner of the east porch.
Detail of the north elevation of the manor house.
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Fenestration is symmetrical, save for the servants’ wing. Most
windows are 6x6 double hung sash units. The large Palladian
window mentioned earlier is located under the cross-gable and
lights the stair landing. A large stone arch is centered over the
Palladian window. The window itself features a 9x9 arched
window flanked by 4-pane sidelights. Fluted pilasters separate
the center window from the sidelights and support small
entablatures on either side of the center window. Just below
the Palladian window is a small porch roof shading the rear
entrance.
Servants’ wing, north elevation.
Palladian landing window on north elevation.
Rear (Servants’) wing
The servants’ wing is a 2½-story section attached to the rear of
the main block and aligned with its east end. The section
retains many of the materials of the main block while providing
domestic functions within. It has an end-gabled roof (crossgabled to the main block), albeit with a lower ridge. The west
slope has two gabled dormers with 6x6 windows; the east
slope has a single dormer. A stone chimney built flush with the
north end wall breaks through the bargeboard above a return
cornice marking the eaveline. Two small attic windows are
located in the tympanum above the return cornice.
The section has rubble stone walls and the same lapped ridge
pointing found on the main block. Fenestration is
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ALOHA / HOWARD W OOD JR. MANOR HOUSE
asymmetrical. Windows are 6x6 units, with louvered shutters
on the second floor and paneled on the first. Many first floor
windows are protected by iron bars. The west wall features a
wide window/door unit installed c. 1990 that provides access
from the kitchen to the pool (shown on photo on page 18 of the
north elevation). The north wall is stuccoed under the porch
described below; a window and door are located here. The
east elevation has two bays.
Extending from the north end of the rear wing (and partially
wrapping around its northeast corner) is a one-story, hipped
roof extension. Two enclosed areas here add laundry and
storage areas off the kitchen. The center of the extension is an
open porch providing a protected “rear porch” entrance to the
kitchen.
Servants’ wing, east elevation, as seen from the property drive.
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ALOHA MANOR HOUSE: INTERIOR DESCRIPTION
The interior of Aloha exhibits few alterations from the
architectural plans in the possession of the owner. The
building has three full levels of livable space plus a basement.
As with many early 20th century manor houses, the main block
was the home of the family; the servants lived in the servants’
wing. The Colonial Revival style details are mainly found on
the first floor and stair area. These include a modified center
hall plan, an exaggerated center hall flanked by living and
dining rooms, large stairs connecting the three floors, several
fireplaces, and fine wood finishing details.
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The first floor is the most formal interior level with the main
block having formal living, dining, and entertaining areas. The
servants’ wing has a kitchen, butler pantry, and laundry areas.
The first floor has many period features. It has a plastered
ceiling and walls and a hardwood floor made of red oak. The
floor has four fireplaces, each with unique mantle decoration
and surround details.
Main Block
First Floor Hall
As stated, the main block has a center hall plan, though it
differs from the standard proportions found in most Colonial
Revival style center houses. The center hall is wider in
proportion, and the two front rooms are much larger than the
two rear rooms (den and pantry).
Perhaps the most impressive room in the house is the center
hall, an obvious nod to the Woods’ entertainment lifestyle. The
main entrance is the Dutch door opening into the first floor hall.
Like the traditional center hall, the space runs through the
center of the floor, with doors into two rooms on each side and
a formal staircase against one partition wall. The space has a
thick, multi layered crown molding, a thin chair railing, and a
beaded baseboard molding. On the west wall is a fireplace, a
feature not found in the hall of actual Colonial or Federal style
houses. Like all fireplaces in the house, it has delicate
ornamentation. This particular fireplace has crossettes
incorporated into the mantle and a stone hearth. The stair
system has a delicate baluster and railing beginning in a volute
and rising to the third floor with decorations on the string. The
southwest corner of the stair tower is curved, one of the more
formal elements of the design of the stairs. At the base of the
stairs is a set of push-button light switches.
First Floor Description
Hall on first floor, facing north from the main entrance.
First floor hall: detail of the crown molding.
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First floor hall: facing south from the rear door.
First floor hall: fireplace on west wall.
First floor hall: Detail of main entrance.
First floor hall: detail of the ornamentation below the balusters.
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First floor hall: stairs, side view.
First floor hall: detail of decoration below the treads.
First floor hall: view of the stair tower, facing upward.
First floor hall: detail of the push button light switches on the east wall.
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Living Room
The living room is the front parlor west of the hall. It is
accessed by a doorway off the center hall. It also has a double
French door on the west wall opening under a 4-light transom
onto the enclosed porch. Key features here include a fireplace
with a Federal style mantle on the west wall and a set of
original enclosed shelves along the north wall.
First floor living room: facing east into hall.
First floor living room: facing west from hall.
First floor living room:
set of original enclosed
shelves located on the
north wall.
First floor living room: fireplace. Note that the pilasters flanking the
fireplace are rounded, unlike what would be found in a typical Federal
house.
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Den
The den is located in the northwest corner of the main block in
one of the narrow rooms along the north wall. A door in the hall
north of the fireplace opens into a hallway running south of a
powder room, ending at the den. The room has the general
first floor features: three types of molding, plastered ceiling and
walls, and red oak floors. A fireplace is located on the west
wall; it features a decorative urn in the frieze area (see detail
below). Originally, a door was located on the south wall
leading into the living room. A door on the west wall north of
the fireplace leads into the enclosed porch.
First floor den: detail of urn on fireplace frieze.
First floor den: fireplace.
First floor powder room off den, facing north.
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Enclosed Porch
The enclosed porch is located on the west end of the main
block. It is the larger of the two porches which flank the ends of
the main block (a Colonial Revival style feature). The porch
has a plastered ceiling, plate glass connecting the outer
columns forming the outer walls, and a square tile floor. The
large plate glass windows were installed by the Renthals and
thus not part of the original plan. On the architectural plans,
the columns on the porch are shown as square in section, but
the design was changed during construction.
Enclosed porch: facing south from the door.
.
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Dining Room
The dining room is located in the front parlor on the east side
of the hall. It is the second largest room on the first floor. It has
the standard first floor features: the three types of molding,
plastered ceiling and walls, and red oak floors. Pocket doors
may be closed to seal the doorway into the hall; these are the
only pocket doors in the building. The north wall has a
recessed arch in the center for a sideboard; east of the
recessed arch is a door leading to the kitchen. A formal
fireplace is centered on the east wall between paired French
doors leading out onto the east porch. The mantle has a
decorative fruit basket panel under the shelf and crossettes.
Surrounding the hearth is an area with Delft tiles depicting
various animals. The hearth is covered with octagonal tiles.
Dining room: interior of the pocket doors, looking into the hall.
Dining room: facing east from the hall.
Dining room: fireplace on east wall.
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Dining room: detail of fruit basket on mantle.
Dining room: detail of the Delft tiles on fireplace.
PAGE 28
Dining room: recessed arch on north wall.
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Butler’s Pantry
Servants’ Wing
The butler’s pantry is located in the northeast corner of the
main block. It is accessed from a small hall leading to the
center hall, the dining room, and the kitchen. A window on the
east wall provides natural light. A set of original built-in shelves
with glass doors is located above lower doors under a counter
along the south and west walls (shown above).
The servants’ wing contains the kitchen, laundry room (in the
extension), and winding stairs connecting all four floors. The
stairs are an early 20th century interpretation of the colonial
type of boxed winder stairs. The kitchen and laundry room
have undergone the most changes since the house was built,
as they have been updated for modern use.
An original feature that remains is a call box near the stairs.
When someone in the house hit the “call” button, an arrow in
this call box would turn to indicate the room from where the
call was made.
Servants’ wing: call
box in hallway
adjacent to stairs.
Butler’s pantry, facing southwest.
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Palladian window in the second floor landing.
Second Floor Description
The second floor consists of three large bedrooms in the main
block and an additional bedroom (originally two rooms) in the
rear wing. The main decorative architectural element of the
second floor is the formal stair system and its associated
Palladian window and three formal fireplaces.
The second floor is accessed by the main stairs and the
servants’ stairs in the rear wing. The formal stairs in the center
of the main block lead up to a landing and a hallway running
east/west. Providing natural light to the hall and stairs is a
Palladian window on the north wall between the second and
third floors. The hall is one of the few spaces on the second
floor with the formal crown molding as found on the first floor. It
has doors leading into three bedrooms and the dressing room
and an arched passageway leading into the rear wing.
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Master Bedroom: facing east from the fireplace.
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Master Bedroom: built in safe in southwest corner.
Master Bedroom (Bedroom A)
The master bedroom is part of a suite occupying the west end
of the main block. It is located south of a dressing room and
the master bathroom; the master bedroom and dressing room
have doors leading onto the west balcony. The original
architectural plans call the master bedroom “Bedroom A.”
Master Bedroom: fireplace.
Located in the southwest corner of the second floor, the
master bedroom has a formal fireplace on the west wall in the
northwest corner. The mantle has a decorative center panel
and crossettes around the face of the hearth, which is covered
with small square tile. A built-in safe is located on the south
wall near the southwest corner. On the east wall, a door leads
into a closet and another door leads to a passageway to
Bedroom B.
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Dressing Room
The dressing room is a small room in the northwest corner of
the main block’s second floor. Key features of the room include
the multi-paned French door leading onto the balcony over the
enclosed porch to the west and a fireplace in the southwest
corner. The fireplace has decorative applied urns in the outer
panels of the frieze and a blue tile hearth with small floral
motifs in the corners.
Dressing room: detail of fireplace.
Dressing room, facing west.
Dressing room: detail of the urn on the mantle.
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Master Bathroom
The west bathroom is located in the master suite, on the north
side of a hallway reaching from the second floor hall to
bedroom A and the dressing room. The bathroom has been
modernized but retains the general organization as shown in
the original plans for the house.
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Bedroom C
Bedroom C is located in the east end of the main block. It is
the largest bedroom on the second floor. The room has the
general features of all second floor rooms – a plastered ceiling
and walls and red oak flooring. A key feature of the room is the
formal fireplace on the east wall. Its mantle features a
decorative garland-like motif in the frieze and fluted pilasters
on either side of the hearth. The Delft tiles lining the face of the
fireplace include a remarkable candle motif in the corners
comprised of pieces of inlaid tile of different colors.
West bathroom, facing north.
Bedroom B
Bedroom B is located in the center of the south side of the
second floor. Two windows on the south elevation provide
natural light. The room has no decorative details. A closet is
located on the east wall, and a door on the west wall leads
through a small closet to the master bedroom. [No photo.]
Bedroom C: facing southeast.
North of Bedroom C is a bathroom that was shared by other
bedrooms in the east end of the building.
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Bedroom C: fireplace.
Bedroom C: candle motif in the corner of the fireplace tile.
PAGE 34
Bedroom C: detail of the decorative motif in the center of the frieze
below the mantle.
East bathroom, facing north.
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Bedroom D/E (Servant Bedrooms)
In the rear wing, two former servant bedrooms have been
merged into a single space by the removal of a partition wall.
In contrast to the formality of the main block, this space has a
simple, cottage-like feeling. The merged room is accessed by
the rear hall, which is the location of the servants’ stairs and
call box. A door on the south end of the hall leads into the
main block.
Bedroom D/E, facing north.
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Third Floor
PAGE 36
Common features of third floor rooms are a plastered ceiling
and walls, red oak flooring, radiant heat, and baseboard
molding.
Third floor landing, facing east.
The third floor is the least formal of the three main floors. It has
four rooms plus the hall in the main block and a single room in
the servants’ wing. The ceiling of most rooms is partially
attached to the angled rafters and partially to the collar beams.
Some bedrooms have built-in drawers along the side walls to
access storage recessed into the attic areas in eaves.
The third floor is accessed from the formal stairs in the main
block and the servants’ stairs in the rear wing. The formal
stairs lead up to a hall running east/west to access to the
rooms in the main block. A bathroom and bedroom are located
in the west end of the main block; a bedroom in the south
central part of the floor, and a bedroom and trunk room in the
east end. The trunk room includes a door leading north to the
rear stairs and to the bedroom in the servants’ wing.
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H; this door does not appear on the original plans, so it was
apparently added after the building was built.
Bedroom F, facing west.
A passageway leads west from the third floor hall south of a
wide built-in closet and ends at the door into the third floor
bathroom. In the southwest corner of the floor is Bedroom F.
The built-in drawers are located on the south wall. The
chimney mass on the west wall is clearly visible. A dormer on
the south wall and a casement window on the west wall
provide natural light. The room has a built-in closet on the east
wall.
Centered on the south wall is Bedroom G. This is the smallest
bedroom on the third floor. It is lit by two dormers on the south
wall and has a built-in closet to the west. The room at one time
had a door on the east wall leading into the closet for bedroom
Bedroom H, facing southeast.
Bedroom H is located in the southeast corner of the third floor
and is the largest of the four bedrooms on the floor. It is lit by a
dormer on the south elevation and by a casement window on
the east wall. Like bedrooms F and G, it has built-in drawers
along the south wall. The boxed-in chimney mass is visible on
the east wall.
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Bedroom I, facing north.
Trunk room, dormer on north wall.
The “trunk” room is located in the northeast corner of the main
block; the room doubles as a passage from the main block to
the servants’ wing. A dormer on the north wall provides natural
light. A doorway west of the dormer leads down two steps to
the plane of the floor in the servants’ wing.
Bedroom I occupies the third floor space of the servants’ wing.
It is accessed by the rear stairs and by the door from the trunk
room. At the top of the stairs is a short hallway leading west to
a dormer that provides natural light; in this hall is another call
system for the servants made by Grissman & Quillman in
Norristown. Bedroom I, shown above, is lit by dormers to the
east and west and by two 4x4 windows on the north end,
flanking the boxed-in chimney mass. Two built-in closets are
located to the south.
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Attic
The attic is located in the uppermost part of the main block and
its floor rests on the collar ties connecting the rafters. The attic
framing is quite unusual, in that the rafters are reinforced by
angled lower rafters that strengthen the structure but render
the space all but unusable. The rafters and joists measure
3½”x10”. Located in the center of the attic is a large metal
reservoir or cistern that originally held water to provide water
pressure for the entire house. The cistern is no longer in use.
View of the west end wall in attic with louvered vent
Attic, facing east.
Detail of the complex rafter system in the attic.
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Basement
The basement is excavated under the main block and part of
the servants’ wing. It is accessed by the servants’ stairs only.
Basement rooms have plaster over stone walls and a cement
floor. The joists supporting the flooring are visible above, with
the original cross-bracing. The subflooring is laid diagonally
below the narrow red oak flooring.
Two storage rooms are located to the north under the
servants’ wing. A passageway leads through foundation walls
to the basement of the main block.
PAGE 40
The basement of the main block is divided by plaster over
stone partition walls into five rooms. The east end has a small
boiler room in the northeast corner and a second boiler room
in the southeast corner. The west end of the north boiler room
leads into the store room. This space acts as a passageway
connecting to the other spaces. A door on the south wall leads
into the “range coal” room, currently a workshop. A large store
room occupies the west end of the basement.
Detail of the floor joists with cross-bracing.
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West wall of the store room in the west end of the basement, facing
west.
Sink in the small store room opposite the stairs.
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Garage (Stable & Garage): Exterior
The garage is a multi-purpose building located northeast of the
manor house. It was also designed by Brockie & Hastings; the
original architects’ plans (dated 1915) call the building a
“Stable and Garage.” The building consists of a 3-bay garage,
a stable, and a large apartment on the upper floor presumably
for the chauffeur. When Howard Wood Jr. died, he had two
cars in the garage: a Chevrolet station wagon and an Austin
four door sedan.
The building is comprised of two general sections arranged in
an L-shape. The main portion of the building has an endgabled roof facing south, with a cross-gabled section to the
west providing the L-shape.
Architect’s plan for the garage, dated 1915. Note differences between
plan and photograph below.
The building has a gabled roof (plus the cross-gable on the
southwest corner). The roof is clad with asphalt shingles. A
metal louvered cupola is located near the west end of the
ridge; the cupola has been damaged recently. East of the
cupola is a stone chimney flush with the north wall. On the
south slope of the roof are three gabled dormers with 6x6
windows; the north slope has a monitor dormer incorporating
the chimney.
Garage, main (south) elevation, as seen from the property drive. The
stable section is on the left and the garage section on the right.
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bumpers installed to limit the damage from driving into the
posts; one is illustrated below.
Garage: detail of the stone gabled pavilion facing south. The stairs lead
up to the second floor apartment.
The walls are rubble stone, with the same type of lapped ridge
pointing found on the manor house. On the south elevation,
the west gable that faces south has an arched-headed door on
the second floor with a frame set of stairs leading down to
grade. [Note: the stairs to the second floor door was a change
from the original plans.] Below the door to the second floor is
another arch in the stone wall with a 6x6 window. An extension
of the roof creates an overhang extending from a blind arch
near the south gable to an asymmetrical arch on the east end.
It is cantilevered out from the building and creates an exterior
area that is protected from the elements. Three large overhead
garage doors are located under the roof extension. The stone
pillars framing the area under the extension have metal
Detail of a metal bumper installed on the east end of the porch.
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Garage: north elevation.
Garage: porch addition on east elevation.
The north elevation has three levels of windows arranged
asymmetrically. Most windows are multi-light units of varying
sizes and shapes, most having a stone jackarch. Some
windows are paired; two are bands of 8-light units. The sole
door on the north elevation is a paired arched headed unit with
six lights in each leaf and a stone arch over the double door. It
is located in the east bay of the lower level.
The east end wall is mostly solid stone. A cantilevered second
floor porch has been constructed onto this elevation. It has a
hipped roof clad with asphalt shingles, clapboard walls, and
four diagonal braces underneath that are anchored into the
stone wall. Eight-light casement windows occupy the upper
portion of the wall surface on the three exposed sides. The
porch was built over the narrow passageway formed by the
new garage (as shown in the photograph above).
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Garage (Stable & Garage): Interior
Garage: garage section, facing east.
The garage section has plastered walls and a cement floor
with a drain. On the west end, a former set of stairs has been
enclosed and is used for storage. A tack room is located in the
southwest corner.
Garage: first floor plan.
The first floor of the garage is accessed by the overhead doors
and by a “man door” under the overhanging roof extension.
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The west part of the first floor is the stable section. All of the
former equine space appears intact. It has two stalls built into
the north end and a box stall built along the west wall. The
room has plastered walls and a tile floor. The stalls have flush
vertical siding below an iron railing. The box stall is accessed
on the north elevation at the northeast corner; the two stalls
along the north wall are accessed by a door in the southeast
corner.
Garage: garage section, facing west. Note the tack room behind the
metal table and chair.
Garage: north elevation of box stall in the stable area.
Garage: stall in stable section, facing northwest.
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Garage: Second Floor
The second floor is accessed by exterior steps near the
southwest corner. The door opens into a large living space
over the stable area. The remaining rooms are located on
either side of an east/west hallway over the garage section.
Garage, second floor: apartment, facing north from the door.
The apartment, called the loft on the original design, is located
over the stable area. It is the large space on the second floor.
Its ceiling is attached to the bottoms of the rafters, resulting in
a complicated appearance due to the intersecting gables in
this part of the building. The apartment has plastered walls and
hardwood floors. A fireplace is located in the northeast corner,
and a small storage area is located in the northwest corner.
The room has been extended to the east to encompass the
space formerly occupied by a small room called the hall.
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Garage: second floor apartment, east room of second floor, facing south.
Garage: Room B, second floor, facing south.
The centered hallway runs east over the garage area. A
modern kitchen and bathroom are located on the north side of
the hall, and an attic-like storage space is located on the south
side. An archway at the east end of the hall leads into a room
called “Room B.” This is a long space extending the width of
the second floor (shown above). A door on the east end,
installed in the location of an original window, opens onto the
enclosed porch.
Garage: second floor apartment, facing east.
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Interior of enclosed porch, second floor, facing north.
The attached porch is located one step below the floor level of
the remainder of the second floor. It has plastered walls and a
carpeted floor. A band of windows line the east elevation.
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Nonhistoric Buildings on Subject Tract
Two nonhistoric buildings are located near the garage.
Nonhistoric Garage
The nonhistoric garage is located immediately east of the
garage. It is a 1-story, 2-bay building facing south. The endgabled roof is clad with asbestos shingles, and the walls are
stucco (possibly over block). Two overhead garage doors
occupy most of the main (south) elevation.
Nonhistoric Shed
The nonhistoric shed is a small frame building built by the
Renthal family. It is a 2-level building facing south. The endgabled roof is clad with asphalt shingles, and the walls are clad
with flush vertical siding. A large porch extends across the
south elevation and wraps around the west end, where a ramp
leads up from the property drive to a door into the second
floor.
Note: Earlier maps indicate the Woods may also have had a
shed in this location.
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Physical Condition Analysis
Statement of Significance
The building’s condition was assessed on a five-part scale
ranging from excellent to good, fair, poor, and ruin. “Excellent”
indicates the building is sound as are most if not all of its
architectural details. “Good” indicates the building is sound,
showing no signs of failure, and only general weathering
(wooden window surrounds for example, which often may
need repainting). “Fair” indicates the condition of the building is
sound but beginning to show signs of failure or the need for
proper maintenance and repair. “Poor” indicates major failure
is occurring in the building, either structurally or on the building
envelope and that the situation should be addressed
immediately. “Ruin” indicates the resource is in a state of
dilapidation and is not habitable.
Wise Preservation Planning LLC assesses the significance of
historic resources using standards set by the National Register
of Historic Places. In order for a building to be considered
eligible for the National Register, it must meet three individual
tests: age, significance, and integrity. Wise also assesses the
significance of a historic resource on the basis of local
significance.
Note: This study did not include a structural engineering
analysis. Any findings would be subject to such an analysis.
Based on visual observation, the Aloha manor house appears
to be in good to excellent condition. It has been very well
maintained by the Wood and Renthal families. Some minor
maintenance notes were made at the time the property was
visited, primarily some areas of roof repair and areas on the
dormers that need to be repainted. It is likely that the
mechanical systems would need to be examined for possible
upgrading.
The Garage is also in good condition. It shows no signs of
water infiltration or building failure.
Age – A property must be 50 years of age in order to be
considered eligible for the National Register. Exceptions are
made for properties where highly important events have
occurred in the past 50 years.
Significance – The National Park Service has established four
Criteria for assessing significance. A building only needs to
meet one of the four, though some meet two or more. The
Criteria are:
A. Properties “associated with events that have made a
significant contribution to the broad patterns of our
history.”
B. Properties “associated with the lives of persons
significant in our past.”
C. Properties that “embody the distinctive characteristics of
a type, period, or method of construction or represent
the work of a master, or possess high artistic values, or
represent a significant and distinguishable entity whose
components lack individual distinction.”
D. Properties that are significant for archaeology.
Integrity – The integrity of a building describes its ability to
convey a sense of its historic appearance. Integrity is
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ALOHA / HOWARD W OOD JR. MANOR HOUSE
considered to be the “composite of seven qualities”: location,
design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and
association. A building with high integrity looks much as it did
during its period of historic significance; a building with low
integrity has been highly altered during the past 50 years
(including such changes as partial demolition, incompatible
additions, being moved to a different location, or having its
setting compromised). The building is intact to such a degree
that some mechanical systems would need to be entirely
upgraded for continued modern use.
Statement of Significance based on National Register
Criteria
As of the date of this report, neither the National Park Service
staff nor the staff of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum
Commission (PHMC) has evaluated the Aloha manor house to
determine its eligibility for the National Register of Historic
Places because the appropriate forms have not been
completed and submitted.
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Statement of Significance based on Local Importance
The Aloha manor house is locally significant for its association
with the locally prominent Wood family and as an early
example of a Colonial Revival manor house. In fact, it could
easily be argued that the Wood family has statewide
significance for its role in the steel industry, as the Alan Wood
Steel Company was one of the leading steel companies in the
entire country. In 1920, during Howard Wood Jr.’s time as vice
president of the company, its mills produced 8% of the entire
output of steel in the nation.19 The local significance is limited
by the fact that there is only a limited view of the manor house
from the end of Aloha Lane, which reduces the building’s
visual presence in the community.
In the opinion of Wise Preservation Planning LLC, the Aloha
manor house would be determined eligible for the National
Register of Historic Places if the paperwork were submitted to
the PHMC. It is an excellent example of a highly intact Colonial
Revival style manor house and most likely would meet
National Register Criterion C for architecture. The garage, also
highly intact and a representative example of a multipurpose
ancillary estate building, would augment this significance.
19
Toll, p. 133.
HISTORIC RESOURCE IMPACT STUDY
ALOHA / HOWARD W OOD JR. MANOR HOUSE
PAGE 53
Adjacent Property with Historic
Resources
One tax parcel adjacent to the subject tract contains identified
historic resources and as such is included in this historic
resource impact study. The parcel was subdivided from the
subject tract in 1975 and shares its north, east, and south
boundaries. It is the home of the Riverbend Environmental
Education Center. The historic resources are the historic
c. 1840 farmhouse, a c. 1925 barn, and a stone ruin.
Property Identification
Address
1950 Spring Mill Rd.
Historic Resource #
GL 243
Resource Classification 2
Owner/Applicant
Riverbend Environmental Education
Center
Tax Parcel
Block 12F, Unit 6
Acreage
25 acres
Date of construction
c. 1840
Property Description
The Riverbend Environmental Education Center is located on
a U-shaped property that wraps around the north, east, and
south sides of the subject tract, immediately inside the
Conshohocken Curve. The 25-acre property is bounded on the
south by the historic Spring Mill Road bed. The topography is
hilly, draining primarily to the north and east, though it also
falls to the south. A historic farmhouse, barn, and stone ruin
are located here. The property also contains several dry laid
stone walls that are considered minor landscape features in
this report.
N
A
B
R
F
Detail of the tax parcel map. The Riverbend property is indicated in blue;
letters indicate the location of the resources: the farmhouse (F), the barn
(B), and the ruin (R). The Aloha manor house is located on the purple
property and is indicated by the letter (A).
HISTORIC RESOURCE IMPACT STUDY
ALOHA / HOWARD W OOD JR. MANOR HOUSE
PAGE 54
Farmhouse
The farmhouse appears on the historic maps shown earlier in
this report. It was the home of Joseph Donohue on the maps
of 1871 and 1877. It served as a tenant house first for
Bryntyddyn and later for Aloha. Today it is used as a residence
for Riverbend staff.
The farmhouse is a 2-part building facing south onto the
historic Spring Mill Road bed. It consists of a 3-story, 3-bay
main block built into the bank, with a 1-story wing off the west
end. The farmhouse appears to date to c. 1840, with later
alterations. It was built into the sloping hillside, with the south
elevation opening onto the lower grade of the first floor and the
north elevation opening onto grade on the second floor level.
The main block is the larger of the two sections. It has an endgabled roof clad with asphalt shingles. A large stuccoed
chimney is located near the east end of the ridge. The
overhanging eaves feature sprockets that date to the late 19th
century.
The walls are stucco over stone. On the south elevation,
markings indicate that the house historically had a 2-story front
porch facing onto the road. Fenestration is mostly symmetrical
on the south elevation, with three bays of 6x6 windows that
appear to be historic. The door is located in the center bay of
the first floor and opens onto a small shed-roofed porch. The
porch has a half-gable roof supported by octagonal posts with
gingerbread brackets. The end walls have few wall openings.
The east end has windows on the attic level and second floor,
not vertically aligned. The west end has a centered window on
the attic level and a 6x6 window on the first floor near the
Farmhouse, main (south) elevation.
Detail of the Franklin Survey Atlas of Main Line (Philadelphia:
Franklin Survey Company), 1939. The circle indicates the farmhouse
and barn on the Riverbend property.
HISTORIC RESOURCE IMPACT STUDY
ALOHA / HOWARD W OOD JR. MANOR HOUSE
southwest corner. The main block has a stucco-over-stone
foundation.
PAGE 55
in appearance, though it features a threshing floor extension
with a large multi-light window unit on the south elevation.
A 1-story wing is located off the west end of the farmhouse. It
is aligned with the north side wall of the main block. It has an
end-gabled roof clad with asphalt shingles and featuring
overhanging eaves. The walls are stucco over stone.
Fenestration is asymmetrical. The main (south) elevation has a
square window near the center of the elevation and a batten
door installed against the main block (providing evidence that
the wing was built onto the main block). The wing has a stucco
over stone foundation.
Barn
The barn is an early 20th century example of a Wisconsin
Prairie Barn, facing south. Riverbend staff believe the barn
was purchased from a Sears catalog in the 1920s. Judging
from the railroad atlases, it was built between the time of the
publication of the Bromley Atlas of 1926 and the Franklin
Survey Atlas of 1937. The barn was likely the home to the
Wood family’s 11 Angus cows. The building is currently used
as offices for Riverbend staff.
Like the Pennsylvania examples of the type, it is a 2-level bank
building. It has a gambrel roof clad with asphalt shingles and
featuring a “kick” at the eaves on the north and south
elevations. The overhanging eaves are partially supported by
sprockets, or false purlin tails. The barn is frame and clad with
horizontal wood cladding. The main (north) elevation features
a door offset to the west; it extends up through the eaveline
and is accommodated by a shed roofed wall dormer. Two
large sliding doors open under a wide 5-light transom. The
north elevation has no windows. The south elevation is similar
Barn, north elevation.
The west elevation faces onto the current property drive. It has
wall openings on four levels. The upper interior level is lit by
windows on the two uppermost levels; the windows are 6-light
units that are raised far above the floor level. A centered door
on the upper floor level is accessed by a shallow deck
supported by large braces. The stall level has two large hinged
doors between sets of 9-light windows. The east end wall has
a similar fenestration, though it is much less symmetrical.
HISTORIC RESOURCE IMPACT STUDY
ALOHA / HOWARD W OOD JR. MANOR HOUSE
Stone Ruin
The stone ruin is located in the southwest part of the property.
It was a 1-story building, facing south. The walls stand to a
height of approximately 11 feet, with no roof. The walls and
foundation are stone; most of the historic mortar has eroded
away. A doorway is located at the southwest corner; it is the
only wall opening (the building had no windows). The interior
of the building is rather unusual. It is a single space, with two
long L-shaped pieces of iron running its length. The iron joists
have four clusters of holes, spaced symmetrically. The
purpose of the pieces of iron is not known.
PAGE 56
Statement of Significance
Based on National Register Criteria
As of the date of this report, neither the National Park Service
staff nor the staff of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum
Commission (PHMC) has evaluated the Riverbend property to
determine its eligibility for the National Register of Historic
Places.
In the professional opinion of Wise Preservation Planning LLC,
the Riverbend property is not eligible for the National Register
of Historic Places. The property has lost its agricultural
context, and the farmstead is scattered along the historic road
rather than being built in a cluster. The farmhouse does not
appear to have the architectural significance to meet Criterion
C for architecture and also does not appear to have the
significance to meet other National Register Criteria. Barns are
not usually individually eligible for the National Register.
Based on Local Importance
The Riverbend property is locally significant as a typical
farmhouse that became a tenant house when the property was
converted into a manor. In many cases, the pre-existing
farmhouses were demolished, but it may have been retained
by the Wood family because it was not visible from the manor
house.
Stone ruin, facing northeast.
HISTORIC RESOURCE IMPACT STUDY
ALOHA / HOWARD W OOD JR. MANOR HOUSE
Impact Assessment Methodology
Wise Preservation Planning has developed a 5-level impact
methodology for assessing the potential impact of a
subdivision / land development project on historic resources.
Impacts are considered on a scale from “No Impact” to “Total
Impact” on either the historic resource or its immediate
adjacent landscape. Such impact could be caused from new
roads, infrastructure, grading, landscaping, new construction,
alterations, demolition, or a loss of landscape integrity. Key
elements in the evaluation include whether the resource would
be lost or altered, whether it would lose its historic or
architectural significance, whether or how the immediate
landscape would be altered, and how the project could impact
the property’s long term economic viability.
No Impact – No Impact
Mitigation: No recommendation necessary.
Low Impact – No direct physical impact but minor visual
impact on resource, property and/or associated landscape.
Proposed project may have minor impact on viewshed from
historic building, property, or public way. Any impact would
probably not constitute a loss of historic significance or
undermine its long-term economic viability.
Mitigation: Impact can probably be reduced or
eliminated with minor changes in landscaping.
Medium Impact – No direct physical impact but noticeable
visual impact on resource, property and/or associated
landscape. Impact disrupts elements of property or associated
landscape. Proposed project may have an impact on viewshed
from historic building, property, or pubic way. Impact may be
PAGE 57
reduced through plan changes and additional vegetation.
Increased overall activity may also be a factor. Such impact
would probably not constitute a loss of historic significance to
the resource.
Mitigation: Impact may be reduced or eliminated with
changes in landscaping, and/or plan design.
High Impact – Partial demolition, additions, or changes that
constitute significant visual impact on resource, property
and/or associated landscape that could constitute a loss of
integrity. Proposed project disrupts elements of historic
resource or its historic setting. Examples include constructing
an addition to the resource, partial demolition, construction of a
new building or infrastructure immediately adjacent to the
resource, or a disruption in the immediate view of or from the
resource. An acute increase in adjacent activity or an
incompatible adjacent activity could also produce a high but
indirect physical impact.
Mitigation: Impact may be reduced with landscaping
and changes in plan design.
Total Impact – Direct Physical Impact on historic resource(s)
constituting demolition of primary or associated resources or
demolition of resource’s primary architecture. Impact would
eliminate the property’s historic or architectural significance
and integrity.
Mitigation: Changes to plan; otherwise resource
relocation, extensive resource documentation, site
interpretation, archeology.
HISTORIC RESOURCE IMPACT STUDY
ALOHA / HOWARD W OOD JR. MANOR HOUSE
Impact Assessment and Mitigation
Recommendations
Project Description
The applicant proposes to demolish the Aloha manor house
and to retain the historic garage. No subdivision or
development plan has been submitted to Lower Merion
Township and thus not discussed here. The applicant has
indicated an intention to construct a single family dwelling on
the property.
PAGE 58
Project Impact
Subject Tract. The proposed demolition will produce a Total
Impact on the Aloha Manor House. Note: the retention of the
garage helps lessen the impact to a small degree; however,
given the significance of the manor house, its demolition
constitutes a Total Impact on the historic nature of the
property.
Riverbend. The proposed demolition of the Aloha Manor
House has No Impact upon the historic resources on the
Riverbend property. The manor house is not visible from the
three resources, partially due to the rising topography and
forestation between the Riverbend resources and the Aloha
Manor House. One of the walking trails on the Riverbend
property leads near Aloha, and from that vantage point the
manor house is visible, but the walking trail is not considered a
historic resource in the Lower Merion Township inventory.
Mitigation Recommendations
Because the applicant is planning to demolish the structure,
Wise has divided the following recommendations into two
parts. The first part addresses the planned demolition. The
second part offers, per the ordinance, alternatives designed to
keep and reuse the building.
Detail of demolition plan.
Overall Wise recommends that the applicant seek to preserve
Aloha. Its architectural significance is such that it warrants an
examination of alternatives and dialog with other parties
wishing to see it preserved, protected and reused. That said
Wise recognizes Aloha is a Class II historic resource. The
HISTORIC RESOURCE IMPACT STUDY
ALOHA / HOWARD W OOD JR. MANOR HOUSE
applicant has the right, assuming the demolition permit is
granted, to demolish the resource.
Demolition:
1. Do Not Demolish Until Necessary. Although the
applicant may obtain a demolition permit, it is
recommended that the applicant avoid demolishing the
building until necessary. A use or user may be found for
the building during this time that may present a greater
opportunity to the applicant than demolition and/or
redevelopment. Applicant and township would need to
cooperate regarding demolition permit extensions.
2. Maintain Utilities until just prior to actual demolition.
This helps protect the resource during the delay.
3. Provide More Extensive Photographic
Documentation of Resource. Aloha is a Class II
Historic Resource on Lower Merion Township’s
inventory of historic resources. This study provides an
extensive description of the resource beyond what is
normally provided in a typical Impact Study. The
applicant has agreed to additional photography once
the Renthal family has vacated the building at the end
of August.
4. Salvage Architectural Elements / Select
Experienced Demolition Contractor. The building
contains and abundance of architectural elements that
can be salvaged from the building and used elsewhere
(preferably in the Township). Many of these elements
can be easily removed. Prior to demolition, an
PAGE 59
experienced salvage and demolition contractor(s)
should study the building to determine which parts can
be safely removed from the building prior to or during
demolition.
5. Offer Building Tour. Consider inviting members of the
architectural professional community and/or perhaps
members of the Lower Merion Township Historical
Commission, Historical Society, or Conservancy to tour
the building first hand as a means of education. At the
time of the tour, the building should be documented on
a video tape for posterity.
6. Make Documentation Available. Sometimes when a
substantial house is planned to be demolished, the
applicant considers erecting a sign that provides
information on the house. That does not seem to be
appropriate in this case given the location. In lieu of a
sign, it is recommended that the applicant make copies
of this report available to research facilities such as
libraries and historical societies in southeastern
Pennsylvania. Such places would include the Gladwyne
Public Library, the Lower Merion Township Historical
Society, the Historical Society of Montgomery County,
and the Athenæum of Philadelphia.
HISTORIC RESOURCE IMPACT STUDY
ALOHA / HOWARD W OOD JR. MANOR HOUSE
Alternatives to Planned Demolition:
Note: It is acknowledged that the applicant seeks to
demolish Aloha and build one new dwelling on the subject
tract. The following alternatives are met to provide
alternatives that should be considered prior to demolition:
7. Consider Living in the Building. Although the
applicant has expressed an interest in demolishing the
building, consideration should first be given to using the
building. The building is in livable condition. Despite
lifestyle preferences, the house seemingly would
require very few substantive repairs.
8. Consider other Properties. Although land is scarce in
the township, applicant should consider properties that
do not contain a historic resource.
9. Incorporate Aloha into New House Plan. The
applicant should consider incorporating the main block
of the Aloha manor house into the proposed building
plans. The existing house is very well built and is in
livable condition. The extension on the north end could
be removed and a large addition could be constructed
between the existing house and garage.
10. Consider other Uses for the Property. Though the
property is zoned residential, there may be other uses
for the property as allowed by the historic preservation
article. For example, the Riverbend Environmental
Education Center may have a need to expand its
facilities. The township’s comprehensive or open space
plan may have identified the need for such uses now or
PAGE 60
in the future. The Lower Merion Conservancy (LMC),
Riverbend, or other entities such as the National Lands
Trust may also offer specific suggestions on how best to
protect the property and in the case of the LMC, reuse
the building.
HISTORIC RESOURCE IMPACT STUDY
ALOHA / HOWARD W OOD JR. MANOR HOUSE
Bibliography
Bean, Theodore W. History of Montgomery County,
Pennsylvania. Philadelphia: Everts & Peck, 1884.
Bromley, G.W. Atlas of Properties on Main Line. Philadelphia:
1926.
Franklin Survey Co. Atlas of the Properties in Lower Merion,
Narberth, Haverford, & Radnor, Penna. Philadelphia:
Franklin Survey Co., 1948.
Franklin Survey Co. Franklin Survey Atlas of Main Line.
Philadelphia: Franklin Survey Co., 1939.
Franklin Survey Co. Main Line Atlas. Philadelphia: Franklin
Survey Co., 1961.
Franklin Survey Co. Property Atlas of the Main Line, Penna.
Philadelphia: Franklin Survey Co., 1937.
Historical Society of Montgomery County, newspaper
clippings.
Hopkins, G.M. Atlas of the County of Montgomery and State of
Pennsylvania. Philadelphia: G.M. Hopkins, 1871.
Montgomery County Court House, Norristown Pa. Recorder of
Deeds and Probate offices.
Morrison, William. The Main Line: Country Houses 1870-1930.
New York: Acanthus Press LLC, 2002.
PAGE 61
Mueller, A.H. Atlas of Lower Merion. Philadelphia: 1896.
Mueller, A.H. Atlas of Properties on Main Line, Pennsylvania
Railroad from Overbrook to Paoli. Philadelphia: A.H.
Mueller, 1913.
Mueller, A.H. Property Atlas, Main Line, Pennsylvania Railroad
from Overbrook to Paoli. Philadelphia: A.H. Mueller,
1908, 1920.
New York Times, various dates.
Philadelphia Inquirer, various dates 1980-2006.
Real Estate Atlas of the Main Line. Philadelphia: Franklin
Survey Company, 1981.
Scott, J.D. Combination Map of Montgomery County,
Pennsylvania. Philadelphia: J.D. Scott, 1877.
Smith, J.L. Property Atlas of Montgomery County,
Pennsylvania. Philadelphia: J.L. Smith, 1893.
Toll, Jean B. and Michael J. Schwager, eds. Montgomery
County: the Second Hundred Years. Norristown:
Montgomery County Federation of Historical Societies,
1983.
www.PhiladlephiaBuildings.com. The website of the American
Architects and Buildings database.
HISTORIC RESOURCE IMPACT STUDY
ALOHA / HOWARD W OOD JR. MANOR HOUSE
Appendix
Site Plan and floorplans drawn by Brockie & Hastings
Existing Conditions / Demolition Plan, produced by Momenee & Associates, Inc. and dated 7/9/2010
PAGE 62
HISTORIC RESOURCE IMPACT STUDY
ALOHA / HOWARD W OOD JR. MANOR HOUSE
PAGE 63
Original Brockie
& Hastings “Plot
Plan,” showing
the design for the
drive and the
manor house.
HISTORIC RESOURCE IMPACT STUDY
ALOHA / HOWARD W OOD JR. MANOR HOUSE
PAGE 64
Original Brockie & Hastings
floorplan for the first floor.
Major changes:
E
A
C
B
D
A – The west porch has been
enclosed.
B – This door has been
converted into a
window.
C – This door has been
sealed.
D – The kitchen has been
modernized.
E – A new and wider
window/door unit has
been installed in this
location.
HISTORIC RESOURCE IMPACT STUDY
ALOHA / HOWARD W OOD JR. MANOR HOUSE
PAGE 65
Original Brockie &
Hastings floorplan
for the second floor.
Major changes:
A – Partition wall has
been removed.
B – Door has been
sealed.
A
B
HISTORIC RESOURCE IMPACT STUDY
ALOHA / HOWARD W OOD JR. MANOR HOUSE
PAGE 66
Original Brockie &
Hastings floorplan
for the third floor.
HISTORIC RESOURCE IMPACT STUDY
ALOHA / HOWARD W OOD JR. MANOR HOUSE
PAGE 67
Original Brockie &
Hastings floorplan
for the basement.
HISTORIC RESOURCE IMPACT STUDY
ALOHA / HOWARD W OOD JR. MANOR HOUSE
PAGE 68
Original Brockie & Hastings design for the south
elevation of the garage.
HISTORIC RESOURCE IMPACT STUDY
ALOHA / HOWARD W OOD JR. MANOR HOUSE
PAGE 69
Original Brockie &
Hastings first floor
plan for the garage.
HISTORIC RESOURCE IMPACT STUDY
ALOHA / HOWARD W OOD JR. MANOR HOUSE
PAGE 70
Original Brockie &
Hastings floorplan
for the second floor
of the garage.
HISTORIC RESOURCE IMPACT STUDY
ALOHA / HOWARD W OOD JR. MANOR HOUSE
Existing Conditions / Demolition Plan, produced by Momenee & Associates, Inc. and dated 7/9/2010.
PAGE 71
HISTORIC RESOURCE IMPACT STUDY
ALOHA / HOWARD W OOD JR. MANOR HOUSE
Stone Ruin .................................................... 56
Table of Contents
Executive Summary ..............................................................1
Proposed Project
Impact Assessment Methodology ............................ 57
Project Background...............................................................2
Impact Assessment and
Mitigation Recommendations........................... 58
Historic Narrative ..................................................................5
Bibliography........................................................................ 61
Physical Description ...........................................................11
Appendix ............................................................................ 62
Subject Tract ............................................................11
Aloha Manor House
Exterior Description ...........................13
Interior Description
First Floor Plan / Description ........20
Second Floor Plan / Description ...30
Third Floor Plan / Description ......36
Attic .............................................39
Basement.....................................40
Garage ..........................................................42
Nonhistoric Buildings on Subject Tract .........50
Physical Condition Analysis...........................51
Statement of Significance .............................51
Adjacent Property with Historic Resources ..............53
Farmhouse ....................................................54
Barn...............................................................55
Note: Exterior and Interior Photographs submitted with Impact
Study.