2007
| 2007 |
|
2007 |
 |
 |
 |
My name is Mariella Bianchi, born in Celano and now
living in Sydney, Australia. One of my best fiend's surname is Ciaccia. Her
name is Teresa Ciaccia and she also was born in Celano. Moved to Australia
but now lives in Rome. There a a number of Ciaccias in Celano. I wonder if
they are part of the family tree Regards.
Mariella Bianchi
Mariella47@aol.com
Sydney, Australia - Dec 29, 2007 at 11:23 PM EST
Hi Gerry, How are you? I have enjoyed your site, but
it's been a long time. I checked in last night and found your guest book to be
somewhere in the middle of 2005. I trust all is well with you. My name is
Estelle, you used to talk to me on ICQ. I had a genuine interest in you and I
still do. You had just lost your mom and you were single. That was years ago.
Please drop me a note. I would love to hear from you. I got married over a
year ago.... he is a wonderful man.
Estelle Nix enix@shaw.ca
Canada - Dec 2, 2007 at 1:22 AM EST
hello. I came across your website by accident one day
and have become fascinated by Whitemarsh Hall. I was just curious if you have
new photos you will be updating the website with. I think you have done a
fantastic job & would love to see more about Whitemarsh Hall.
Michelle Fields
gmfields6@alltel.net
USA -
Nov 29, 2007 at 10:58PM EST
This is a very moving presentation. I live in Oreland
since many years and come from Europe. I could never understand why the young
people were so destructive there. It always made me very sad! I sensed the
beauty of this place. I was so hopeful that there would be a buyer out there
and would find some use for this property! This would not have happened in
Europe I believe. It was a very sad day for me when I learned it was to be
destroyed to make room for ordinary houses. There were also housing. other
beautiful places in our area which also were destroyed to make room for
housing and I never understood why all the trees had to be destroyed to make
room for new housing. I believe this has changed a bit.
Magdalena Piranian
MagdaPiranian@aol.com
Tvlindep@aol.com
Oreland, PA USA - Nov 26, 2007 at 11:18 AM EST
Gerry: Hello. I just wanted to drop you a short note
and tell you how much I enjoyed your website dedicated to Whitemarsh Hall. As
a historian (who also happens to have a passion for architecture) I have spent
the better part of two nights devouring the information, recollections, and
photos pertaining to this once palatial estate. I was at once enthralled by
photos and stories of the home in its former glory days, and equally appalled
at the horrific vandalism that brought its demise. The loss of this
magnificent structure to future generations is on a par with the loss of the
famed Pennsylvania Station in New York, in my humble opinion. Thank you for
keeping the memory of this glorious structure alive.
John Depenbush
jdepenbusch@yahoo.com
USA
- Nov 20, 2007 at 10:38PM EST
GREAT SITE! I was fortunate to have visited the house before demolition while in college in the late 70s. It was already in decline but still an absolutely awe inspiring experience. A fascinating experience that I have never forgotten. I am still shocked that nothing more was done to save such a great monument and tribute to an age past. Let's hope Lynnewood can be saved. I met Alfred Branam, architectural historian and Trumbauer expert many years ago in Philadelphia while doing research on Trumbauer. I am hoping you or some of your site visitors may know of his whereabouts? I have photos of the place somewhere if you are interested. They were taken on a cold, gloomy, rainy day in the early winter if 1978 I believe.
George Wanner Glw3design@aol.com
Pittsburgh, PA & Scottsdale, AZ USA - Nov 11, 2007 at
10:07 AM EST
Gerry, Great site. I too fell under the spell of
Whitemarsh Hall many years ago and still feel drawn to it even though it isn't
standing anymore. Someone was asking about some of the broken statues, I found
them at a shop near peddlers' village called the Duck & Dolphin. He purchased
them as a lot and still has them. I was wondering if anyone knows who owns the
gatehouse now. If they do please contact me. Thanks,
Mike Bonacci
Mbonacci@comcast.net
USA -
Oct 26, 2007 at 2:42 PM EST
hello gerry, long time! hey i have for you pictures
of stotesberrys car witch i found when i was visiting Las Vegas a year ago the
car was recently sold for 250.000.00 and it was completly restored the car
dates to 1925 build by durum, sedan in bryn mawr PA also i have a artical of
the inside pictures of his home in main i will email them to you what a direct
email i can send these pictures to you. cheers
william Kelly Oneill
chefwoooneill@yahoo.com
USA - Oct 18, 2007 at 9:53 AM EST
Fantastic site! I grew up in east Cheltenham attended
C.H.S. and never took the time to check out Stotebury before it was
redeveloped. Your site answered all my questions. I loved the topagraphic map.
Please keep the site going it is a great reference. Thank you.
Dan
doneill@productdynamics.com
Willow Grove, Pa. USA - Oct 15, 2007 at 12:25 PM EST
The scrippelle (crepes in chicken broth) gnomes have
finally arrived from Abruzzo, Italy! We locked them in the kitchen and they
are hard at work preparing the food for the Valle San Giovanni luncheon at
noon on Sunday, 7 October 2007 at DiPaolo's Italian Ristorante in Penns Grove,
NJ. All "Vallaroli" (people from La Valle, i.e. Valle San Giovanni), their
guests and friends are welcome. Reservations appreciated but not mandatory,
just pay $20 at the door. Buon appetito!
Siamo contentissimi dirvi che gli gnomi vallaroli sono
definitivamente arrivati in America d'Abruzzo. L'avvenimento annuo "pranzo
vallarolo" avra' luogo domenica 7 ottobre al Ristorante Italiano Di Paolo, a
Penns Grove, Nuova Jersey. Vedi anche: www.vallesangiovanni.it Tutti i
vallaroli, i loro ospiti ed amici sono invitati. Un biglietto solo 14 euro.
Valle San Giovanni In Abruzzo Italy ulissi1@verizon.net
Penns Grove, NJ USA - Oct 6, 2007 at 6:54 AM EST
I was so happy to find this site! I haven't thought
about Stotesberry Mansion for sometime ,last night for some strange reason , I
had a dream about the mansion, and I wanted to find out if anybody had
restored it to the grand specimen that it once was,(in my dream that is what
happened.) I haven't lived in Philly for 31 years . Every once and awhile I
will think of that place. I also ventured to the mansion with my friends , I
was reminded of the Great Gatsby, (probably because that movie was out about
that same time.) I never went inside though ,I was to chicken. My favorite
spot was the fountain area with the grand staircase on either side. I do have
a question I thought he was buried on his property is that true? If so was his
grave area left intact? It seems I remember some area that was his grave area.
I am saddened to think that it no longer exists, even though , when I was
there in the late 60's and early70's the rapping had already started. I do
have fond memories of the place, it seems there are quite a few of us who
enjoyed fantasizing about the mansions past. Thank-you for photographing the
tired old lady.
Nancy Swanson
Carter Gatorbride@aol.com
Minneapolis, MN USA - Oct 4, 2007 at 3:27AM EST
Incredible site you have put together. I spent many a
day on the grounds and in the buildings of the mansion while growing up in
Flourtown and Oreland Peace and Respect,
Mark L Swift
mswift@gnt.net
United
Lighting and Supply
Fort
Walton Beach, FL USA - Sept 17, 2007 at 5:30PM EST
I am sorry to see such a wonderful and majestic
building be left to detiriate as this one was. The world has lost to many fine
building to the wrecking hammer in the name of progress. Thank you for the
work you have done on this project. With out people like your self these
buildings just become forgotten memories to some and lost to others.
Regards,Freedom is NOT free. You must believe in a Higher Being, in spite of
what the Clergy say!
Ken
Taylor krt1@iprimus.com.au
Australia - Aug 18, 2007 at 12:22 PM EST
I fancy myself a Philadelphia historian and guide.
I've written books on Philly and produced video tours. But the field of
"Philadelphia history" is amazingly rich and broad. I only knew almost nothing
about Stotesbury and remember vaguely a few news articles about the fate of
Whitemarsh Hall. Well, no one can know it all. Your site has filled in a huge
gap in my knowledge of the city and its important personalities. And now I
want to know a lot more about Stotesbury and his wealth. I wonder if Nemours -
outside of Wilimington with more than 100 rooms - is a match for Whitemarsh. I
also wonder if his Rittenhouse Square mansion is still standing.
Ron Avery
averyron@verizon.net
Philadelphia, PA USA - Aug 6, 2007 at 3:49 PM EST
Hello, Gerry nice to met you, very nice website great
job, do you have any info on workers my great grandmom hire men to haul haul
stone and dirt to build the whitemarsh hall name was reardon and brothers any
info please email me.
john
reardon marie1934@comcast.net
USA - Aug 1, 2007 at 8:52 PM EST
THANK YOU for the fabulous web site, historically
depicting the 'riches to rags' story of Whitemarsh Hall and the Stotes legend!
Fascinating! Great stuff.
D.
Michael Blackie, Publicist
teamhuntingpark@gmail.com
Philadelphia, PA USA - Jul 21, 2007 at 2:40AM EST
I live on Douglas Road where the guard house still
stands. The current owner has renovated and made many exterior improvements as
well. New landscaping and trees that screen the house from Willow Grove
Avenue. Whenever I come home I pass through the pillars. The development where
I live, is Whitemarsh Village; the homes were built in the late 40s. A very
few of the original residents are still here, including Sylvia and Monty
Croll, who live across the street from me. I am sure you know much of this
history.
www.jeankirshenbaum.com
Jean Kirshenbaum
jean@jeankirshenbaum.com
Wyndmoor, PA USA - Jul 17, 2007 at 11:06 AM EST
I was looking at your surname list and saw two names
that I am researching: Cristinzio & Falcone. My Cristinzio family comes from
Monteroduni, Italy & the Falcone branch comes from Palombara, Italy. Can you
tell me where those two names fit into your surname list? Thank you for your
time.
Denise A. McGlinchey
bookworm105@comcast.net
USA - Jul 6, 2007 at 7:34 PM EST
Gerry, Someday I hope we can meet face-to-face. You
remind me of myself when I was 10 and 11 years old and exploring nearby
mansions in my neighborhood of North Attleboro, Mass. that are 1/10th the size
of Whitemarsh Hall. I came across your website while researching Horace
Trumbauer, a personal favorite architect of mine who designed The Elms on
Bellevue Avenue in Newport, RI http://www.newportmansions.org/. My entry into
your guest book is similar to so many others (thanks, great job, etc.) that I
won't repeat all those comments. I've passed your website hyperlink to many
others. Best regards, My Website:
www.McGowanRealtor.com
RE/MAX First Realty, Inc.
Bill McGowan
McGowanRealtor@aol.com
Waltham, MA USA - Jul 6, 2007 at 9:57 AM EST
gerry, thanks for saving this short-lived period of
history! i am back for a family visit to wyndmoor and wanted to share these
similiar memories and sentiments of my teens in the late seventies exploring
the estate with my wife. we were the last to imagine in it's splendor!
steve sagin
ssagin@mac.com
USA - Jul
1, 2007 at 8:10 PM EST
Hi there, don't know if this is still active? Anyway,
I came across your sight after doing some research. I'm reading American
Empress, and they mention the estate. So sad, I actually felt sick when I saw
the house in the 70s and the demolition, and what they have built there. All's
I can say is that is it so American, what happened in the end to that
beautiful place.
P
patrickdelanty@gmail.com
USA - May 29, 2007 at 4:54 PM EST
Gerry While investigating my family tree, I came upon
yours. My maiden name was Sirianni. Paternal grandparents were Francis
Sirianni and Maria Talarico. Both from Calabria. Wonder if we could be
related? Any upstate NY descendants?
Maria Sirianni Allen
MAllen8401@aol.com
USA -
May 12, 2007 at 8:27 PM EST
Dear Gerry I enjoyed reading about Stotesbury
Mansion. Gerry, I grew up in Springfield Twp in the 60’s and remember the
building fondly. I appreciate and thank you for taking the time to gather all
this information.
Josephs,
Mitchell, MBS
Mitchell.Josephs@mortgagefamily.com
USA - May 11, 2007 at 2:53 PM EST
just saw your photos amazing reserach i visited the
grounds on halloween of 79 but we were chased by the cops its a shame the
goverment could not save this beautiful home thanks for the memories god
blessK Keithmoon605@aol.com
USA - May 3, 2007 at 12:12 PM EST
Gerry, Saw your Stotesbury Site (great site) and then
your Serianni segment of your family tree. I graduated from SHS in 1968 and
used to gaze out of the English class windows (new wing, next to tennis
courts) to the top of the hill at Stotesbury - just praying that we could have
our Senior Prom, up there = NOPE. I traveled the same tunnels, were on the
fountains, stairways and main entrance, as you. It was a really cool place. I
always blamed Pennwalt (?) for the disrepair that it finally became, before
the wrecking ball. I did know Lou Serianni, who was associated (with my Dad)
with the Oreland Lions Club, Sinclair Gas Station in Oreland. And to a Dick
(1968) who lived in Wyndmoor (Buddy to Billy Sherwood) - he also had an older
Bro (Jim, 1966?) - I surmised that you are from Lou's Clan? Thanks Gerry, for
your many hours of time you spent on the Stotesbury's yester-years, originally
from Oreland + North Hills, now living in SE Florida (50 miles north of the
other Stotesbury 'Summer House', in West Palm Beach).
Jack Hogan (class of 1968)
jackinfla1591@comcast.net
West Palm Beach, Fl USA - May 1, 2007 at 12:33 AM EST
Mr. Serianni, Good Morning. I grew up in Willow Grove
and was able to see the estate just before it was demolished. Seems it's a
historical and architectural loss. Though it's images still inspire interest.
I am in search of information about the civil engineer work that took place at
Whitemarsh Hall. According to my family members, my grandfather, Edward Quinn,
had involvement with the Civil Engineer work that went on during the
construction days. I'm hoping to find some confirmation of this through
documents or other sources. My mother says there are blue prints in possesion
of one of my relatives and I'm tracking the lead to see if they are still
available. Aside of this possible lead, are there any directions you can offer
to find who was involved with the Civil Engineer work? It would be great
interest to me and my family. Do you still receive emails regarding the
estate? If you find anything or know of any source I should refer to for
further research on who performed the civil engineer work on the Whitemarsh
Hall please let me know. Thank you for developing the web site for all to
enjoy. Sincerely
MSgt Robert
Quinn robert.quinn@yokota.af.mil
Superintendent, Plans & Programming
Yokota, Japan - Apr 6, 2007 at 12:57 AM EST
Dear Gerry, First, I must thank you on your excellent website...I never saw it, but I can appreciate beautiful things, and America's fine, and lost, history. I grew up in the small town of South San Francisco, California (now home to Genentech). I lived next door to the Eduardian Stick Victorian mansion of one the town founders...Thomas Hickey, and across the street from the Queen Anne mansion of the other founder, a Mr. Martin. Well, they tore down the Hickey mansion for a parking lot for a church in the mid 1960's (both structures having been build in 1892). I fought to save the other mansion as I could, but they eventually tore it down in 1975. So much history lost. Well, eventually I discovered The Carolands, a large, beautiful mansion in Hillsborough, California. They were going to tear it down. I fought and fought...eventually, The Friends of the Chateau delayed the demolition long enough until it could be saved and restored by a wonderful family. Here are a couple of websites about it:
 |
 |
 |
I ended up moving away from the Bay Area,
and settling in NW Louisiana. Although I could NEVER afford
something so grand as Carolands, or Whitemarsh Hall, I have settled
on saving my own bit of history. I bought a very old house...Huey P.
Long is said to have stayed here, the Civil War was fought around
here, and it is said to be haunted. The town has burned down around
the house twice. Lots of history...lots of fun. Again, may I thank
you for saving the memories of Whitemarsh Hall. I showed your
excellent website to a friend just the other day. He was enthralled
until he got to the Demolition pages...then he cried...as we all
must. Take care. I have included a couple pics of my house, front
and back...plus a view from the bank by the Red River.
Mike Nomellini
mnomel55@yahoo.com
USA - Mar 17, 2007 at 4:11 PM EST
What an incredibly moving Web site. I am haunted by
the photos but also dismayed by the misspelled words and poor punctuation in
the narrative throughout. Please have an editor clean up the copy, especially
the most egregious and frequent error---the misspelling of its (possessive
pronoun) as it's (contraction for it is).
Carol Kipp
kwriter4@comcast.net
USA -
Feb 23, 2007 at 8:33 PM EST
Gerry, Thank you so very much for the wonderful
website about "Whitemarsh Hall". I found it while looking for related
information about my favorite mansion (Vizcaya - James Deering estate in South
Miami). I found the loss of "Whitemarsh Hall" disturbing! I can only think
that this loss is at many levels - the building of this grand place was what I
consider a true art form. The Donald Trump's and the late Aaron Spellings of
the world with all their money could never come close to building anything
like "Vizcaya" or "Whitemarsh Hall". Thanks again,
Donna Schleich
schleicd@oclc.org
USA -
Feb 16, 2007 at 12:37 PM EST
As a young man, my friends and I would go to the
mansion late at night and often at our own peril would explore the inside late
at night This was in the mid to late 70’s. Thanks for putting this site up, I
have been able to show my children what it looked like. Regards,
David Fondots
davidfondots@verizon.net
USA - Jan 29, 2007 at 7:54 PM EST
I would just like to say thank you for the tremendous
work you have done so far documenting this fantastic piece of lost heritage. I
think it is a shame that during the years with all the multi-millionaires and
even billionaires, that not one of them took up the challenge to ensure this
masterpiece was kept as (one of) their private homes, and was kept for the
generations to come. As can be seen with many of the grand estates in Europe,
they are 2-300 years old, yet have with maintenance and care survived for
future generations to admire. I can only imagine, that had Bill Gates lived
and had his fortune back in the early 60's, Whitemarsh Hall had possibly
survived. Although his home is quite a piece of work worth admiration by
todays standards, it barely gets past the main gate of Whitemarsh Hall. As a
child, I moved from Copenhagen, Denmark to Massapequa Park on Long Island due
to my fathers work. I was just 2 years old when we moved there, and we moved
back to Denmark 7 years later (this was between autumn '68 and summer '75). I
enjoy very reading about the glorious old days when the wealthy realized their
dreams and weren't frightened of showing the world just HOW wealthy they
were..not like many of the wealthy today. I have seen and read about a great
deal of beautiful estates on Long Island that have been lost over the
years....such a shame that the outstanding craftsmanship has been lost to
modern less inspiring and admirable buildings and architecture. Well, that was
beside the point....but I would like once again to thank you for your work. I
have put your site on my favourites list, so I can read about Whitemarsh Hall
from time to time and see if there is anything new. Best regards,
Peter Larsen
peter_larsen@esenet.dk
Esbjerg, Denmark - Jan 24, 2007 at 11:15 AM EST
I don't know how I stumbled upon your site in early
2006, but once I did, I became instantly hooked. I read and re-read until I
became obsessed with White Marsh Hall. I read everything I could find on the
Internet about that magnificent home, and always returned to your site for
more. After months of exhaustive study on the Internet, I found some books
that were very helpful. Michael C. Kathren's "American Splendor" has wonderful
photos that I did not find in my computer search. Even better was a much less
expensive book entitled "Whitemarsh Hall" by Charles C. & Edward C. Zwicker.
My obsession didn't end with Internet research and books. I bought a "Home!
Super Home Suite" architectural program for a school project and, using the
floor plans on your site and all the photos at my disposal, constructed a
virtual White Marsh Hall on my computer. The program allows me to build in 3-D
and add all the architectural elements, such as flooring, windows, columns,
pilasters, fireplaces, etc,. The program also allows me to take a virtual tour
through the interior of the house as I build. All I can say is, the house is
immense! Even using a 1/4" - 1 foot scale, I can get a good feel for the size
of the house with the program. Armed with the knowledge gained from months of
research, I finally visited the actual site while on a drive trip to
Massachusetts this summer. It was drizzling when my partner and I pulled up
and parked across the street from the portico and so we didn't spend as much
time as I would have liked. The paving stones inside the portico were covered
by a deep puddle of rain water so we had to skirt around it. I don't know why
that was such a disappointment, but it troubled me a lot. I guess I was
disappointed because I'd driven 600 miles and, instead of climbing the steps
and striding across the portico as though I was walking into the house, I had
to skirt the portico altogether. Anyway, I found myself on the large grassy
open space and wandered about, imagining the entry hall and stairway to be
here, the ballroom there, Mrs. Stotesbury's library over there, and one of the
rotundas to be just about here. With soaking wet feet, I ventured along the
terrace to the single belvedere and then descended the steps to the fountain.
With your photos clearly in mind, I sat on the remains of the statue in the
fountain grotto and wished we had brought a camera. That probably would have
been the only photo I took. From there we wandered over to the retaining wall
and explored its length. We reached the end and were on our way back to the
portico when the rain intensified, so we raced back to the car, drove around
what had once been the estate and then headed back to I-95. I must say I'm
glad to have actually visited the site, though it was a bit saddening since
White Marsh Hall is only a ghost of its former self. Still, one can wander
about that grass covered tomb beyond the portico and envision what White Marsh
Hall must have been in its halcyon days. Thank you so much for opening up what
has become an endless source of fascination for me.
Justin W. Herman
micadee@carolina.rr.com
Charlotte, NC USA - Jan 15, 2007 at 10:10 PM EST
Hello Congratulations. Great site and good
documentation. I can feel the nostalgia in your comments and in the pictures
you posted. I’ve never been to that place; neither did I hear about it before
today, but what a great loss its destruction is. I’ve always loved buildings
that tell more about past history and lifestyle than words. The most amazing
place I’ve visited so far is the Vaulx Le Vicomte château in the suburbs of
Paris, France. Whitemarsh Hall reminded me of that. Sincerely,
Fabien
fabien.teulieres@dptechnology.com
Los Angeles, CA USA - Jan 8, 2007 at 6:11 PM EST
|
|
|
|