QUAKERTOWN, PA.- On Wednesday, December 5, bidders will have a rare opportunity to acquire a Revolutionary War-era stone farmhouse on a sizable spread of subdividable land near Philadelphia.
Stephenson’s Auctioneers of Southampton, Pa., will conduct the on-site sale of the property, which consists of the 18th-century farmhouse plus a two-story banked barn with four horse stables, heated workshop with 220-volt electricity, and separate walled-off area suitable for use as an office, storage or additional work area. Rebuilt in the 1970s using the original foundation and materials, the barn is sturdy and can support the weight of vehicles.
The land itself consists of 8.45 acres in Richland Township with an adjacent 2.67-acre parcel in West Rockhill Township. Everything will be auctioned as one lot.
The farmhouse retains many handsome original features, such as hand-hewn exposed beams, deep windowsills, and paneled doors. The spacious kitchen features antique random-width wood flooring in the eat-in area and tiled flooring in the food-preparation area. In the late 1980s, a high-quality addition brought modern conveniences to the charming 240-year-old residence. The kitchen has Corian countertops, custom-crafted cherry cabinets and updated appliances, including a built-in rangetop, refrigerator and dishwasher. There is a separate laundry room with front-loading washer and dryer.
A sunroom/atrium has a stone fireplace and original stone walls on two sides; a lofty cathedral ceiling with wood-framed UV glass, and a double-pane glass rear wall with jalousie windows. The room’s bright and light-filled design allows for sweeping views of the property’s pastoral landscape. Easy-to-clean tile floors and ceiling fans/light fixtures make this a very livable room where family and friends will want to congregate.
Also on the ground floor there are living and dining rooms, a full bath with antique fixtures, and a former summer kitchen with walk-in fireplace that has been converted to a study. Downstairs, there is a full finished basement with concrete floors, storage shelving and a Bilco exit door.
On the second floor there are three bedrooms, including an impressive master suite with three walk-in closets, linen closet, built-in vanity area, and en suite bath with stall shower and whirlpool tub. A sliding door opens to a steel-beam-reinforced private deck that can support the weight of a hot tub. One of the second-floor hallway walls is a desirable architectural element in itself, as it is actually the original exterior stone wall. There are many other delightful touches of this type throughout the house.
“A property like this one doesn’t come along very often,” said auctioneer Cindy Stephenson. “To find a Philadelphia-area stone house built in the earliest days of American independence is a rarity, especially with this much land and a modern kitchen and baths. It will appeal to many types of buyers – those who appreciate historical properties, those who like country living and the privacy of a large piece of land around them, and those who want a weekend escape from the city. It has become increasingly common for New Yorkers to buy rural retreats in this part of Pennsylvania. The drive from Manhattan is less than two hours.”
The Dec. 5, 2018 on-site auction will take place at 4 p.m. Eastern time at 1115 Rich Hill Rd., Quakertown, PA 18951. An open house will be held from 1-3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 1 and from 1-3 p.m. on auction day, or by appointment.
