12 minute read
Drumbore’s Hidden Changes
By Beth S. Buxbaum
Having a history of renovations in seamless conformity to the original, the new owners, Don and Trish Wolfe, were also able to make changes to this historic Perkasie house while preserving its historic character
DRUMBORE FARM'S HISTORY HAS BEEN preserved throughout the years with a seamless execution of renovations. It would be difficult see where the original home ended, and the newer spaces began. This preservation of the farmhouse's past is appreciated by the newest owners, Don and Trish Wolfe. California transplants, they moved to the East Coast in 2006. Don had a business opportunity with his employer, Deloitte, which was based in Horsham. Deciding where to buy a home was a challenge. They wanted to live near Don's work and looked in several nearby locals. “We wanted to live in the country,” Don adds, “and had the idea of a stone house or cottage. Also, we like homes with historical character.”
The couple began doing a lot of online searches. “We looked at many properties and were getting very discouraged,” says Trish. When they saw Drumbore Farm in Perkasie, it sparked some interest, so they decided to visit the property. This was the
Described as an understated Federal-style pointed stone farmhouse, this homestead has been lovingly maintained throughout its history.
last place they went to see. “We drove up one evening,” Don describes, “and the light was perfect; it was magical.” Both Don and Trish had the same reaction, that this might just be the house. Once they were inside, they knew this would be their next home.
The property Don and Trish looked at had all the proper historical credentials. Drumbore Farm has been on this land since the early 1800s. Its earliest known history indicates that the original log cabin was built on a parcel granted to William Penn in 1681. During its long and storied past, thousands of acres of this land have changed hands. Some acres were sold to new settlers, more than Opposite top, purple-toned clematis climb a trellis up the stonewall in the back of the original summer kitchen. Opposite bottom left, wisps of lavender larkspur dot the landscape in this flower garden in back of the homestead. Top, Adirondack chairs are strategically placed for a serene view of the pond. Inset, an artistic rendering of the farm's namesake, Drumbore Farm, proudly hangs at the entrance to the homestead.
Top left, this is a glimpse into Trish's workroom where she works her textile loom. Once the original summer kitchen built in 1815, it was separated from the main house until a 1990 renovation. Bottom left, art of the 2006 addition, this is a view of the hallway that leads to the master bedroom suite. At the end of the hall is a hand-made table by Camilo Lopez, a local cabinet and furniture maker. Right, accented in a variety of wood tones from floor-to-ceiling, the kitchen addition is appointed with a wood-beamed cathedral ceiling, lots of windows and central to the space is a distressed wood custom center island topped with soapstone. An original work of art by Pat Singer adorns on the front wall depicting three vignettes of life at Drumbore Farm with the Wolfes.
once it was on auction and several times it was handed down from father to son. When the homestead was purchased by Henry Drumbore, in 1798, the farm took his name. In formal tax records the farm is listed as 180 acres with a one-story log house and a log barn. From this point, for many decades, each time the property changed hands, there was a reduction in the acreage. What is known is that the present stone house, stone barn and stone summer kitchen were probably built by Daniel Althouse between 1815 and 1820 on 49 acres. The farmhouse consisted of a living and dining room downstairs and three bedrooms upstairs. Accounts state that their architectural evidence shows that the stone house was built over the footprint of the old log house. The Althouse family lived on the farm from 1811 to 1904. After this point it changed hands many times. One notable owner was the Dutch-born artist, Joseph Meierhands who lived here from 1934 to 1943. After 1945 several tracts of the land were carved out of the original farm and sold separately.
While the total acreage of the homestead decreased, the farmhouse expanded over its lifetime to accommodate the families that resided there. Described as an understated Federal-style pointed stone farmhouse, this homestead has been lovingly
Opposite left, Trish's handmade quilt, constructed with pieces of antique fabrics on display in the second-floor hallway. Sitting in front is Trish's grandmother's wash basin in a handmade metal stand. Above, a cozy sitting area, by the stone fireplace, completes the master bedroom suite. Sitting next to the fireplace is an old rocker from Mississippi that belonged to Don's grandfather.
maintained throughout its history. All original spaces have been preserved, with most of the original features intact during the expansions. From owner to owner, there were renovations and upgrades. In 1990 there was a renovation that involved some extensive exterior and interior modifications. The original stucco exterior was sandblasted, windows were replaced, and stone was repointed. Part of this renovation attached the original summer kitchen to the main building, integrating it with the main
house. A few years later, in 2001, the original summer kitchen was transformed into a new kitchen and pantry. Also during this renovation, a back door was constructed in the back wall of this area, and a stone terrace and retaining wall were added. What is notable is that the authenticity of the structure has been respectfully maintained.
“The house was in good condition and had good bones,” Don says. Don and Trish already had a few very specific ideas in mind. “We knew we had some work ahead of us and that we were going to build an addition to create a master bedroom suite on the first floor,” says Don. Most important for them was the usability of space. There was no downstairs bedroom or bath, and the kitchen was too small—two features that Don and Trish needed to address. Soon after they moved in they contacted the general contractor who had renovated the house in 1990, Opposite top, the living room with a view to the dining room. Opposite bottom, a view of the dining room, part of the original structure, was the kitchen. Central to the space is a handmade Knotty Alder wood table and hutch. Below, a rustically accented seating area in the new kitchen creates a sense of division between the old and new kitchen space. A transition from the old to the new was done with wall-to-wall wood beam and posts. With this framework in place, the low sideboard cabinet sets the rooms apart, yet allows an open flow.
Bottom left, an inviting vignette awaits in the new master bath with the rose-petalled French porcelain tub against the blue stone tile floor. A custom vanity adds color to the space. Above, a custom 4-poster iron bed is the focus of the master bedroom suite. Above the sleeping area a dropped wood beam feature was added for a sense of coziness to the space.
The Barnacles, Don's band, play a set in the upper level of their renovated barn. The music studio was once the granary. Now Don and his band mates rehearse and record here, when they are not playing at one of Don and Trish's annual bashes. Below, on the lower level of the renovated bank barn is the party room, festively decked out for their next gathering.
Mike Killough. Don and Trish, who was a commercial interior designer, collaborated with Mike and Rick Yarnell, the architect to share their vision. In 2006 they worked with Mike and Rick to build their first-floor bedroom suite. “We wanted to maintain the historical character of the house,” Trish explains. All raw materials were repurposed, including salvaged and reclaimed wood beams and doors, as well as the use of stone from a nearby property. “My goal was to have as much exposed stone exterior walls as possible,” Trish adds. Exposed stone walls and a rich wood toned floor and ceiling create the illusion of an old room. These were the chosen elements that orchestrated the new master suite. A unique feature was constructed above the sleeping area that had an exposed stonewall backdrop. Rick created a dropped wood beam ceiling to add a sense of coziness to that space. The bedroom is appointed with their custom four-poster iron bed that would not fit up the stairs to the second floor. On the other side of the bedroom suite is a relaxing sitting area in front of a stone fireplace, done by Doug Kelough, who is a local stonemason. All the stone and wood accents in their newest addition blend perfectly with the rest of the house. This concept of earthy and rustic, to complement the original farmhouse, was a distinct part of their vision.
The couple also was intent on expanding the kitchen, which they felt was too small. In 2017 the kitchen addition was constructed. Working with David Denson, the architect, and Al Giovino, the general contractor, Trish drew up the plans.” Everything was designed to be exactly how we wanted to use it,” adds Don. Don and Trish love to entertain and Trish cooks a lot. “We wanted a new space where we had the room to gather,” Trish adds. To begin the renovation, the former kitchen, part of the prior owner's 1990 renovation, was torn up and converted into a cozy sitting room. To connect the addition and create a flow from old to new, an entrance from the dining room into the addition was created by removing a window from the exterior stonewall.
This kitchen addition added the space they envisioned and met all of their needs. A wood-beamed cathedral ceiling and lots of windows appointed this room to establish an open, airy and expansive room. Continuing to establish that seamless and rustic element, the addition was designed with the original exterior stone walls as the backdrop. Natural wood floors and reclaimed ceiling beams add that rustic touch. “The challenge was how to put the old and new kitchen together,” Trish explains. To lend a sense of connection and flow, the transition from the old to the new kitchen was done with wall-to-wall wood beam and posts. This wood framing also became the opening from the sitting area into the new addition. With this framework in place, a room divider was created with a low sideboard cabinet, leaving the rest of the framework opened.
Don and Trish were lucky to find Camilo Lopez, a master cabinetmaker, who designed and built all the kitchen cabinetry with Knotty Alder wood and furniture. A signature piece is the wood and glass cabinet
above a custom-made sideboard of Knotty Alder wood topped with oak, all built by Camilo. The cabinet is mounted on the stonewall and suspended from the ceiling beam. In designing the center island and cabinets, Camilo's skillful touch is evident in how he incorporated many of the modern amenities into the design without being visible. Most of these elements were built into the interior of the cabinetry. Even the refrigerator was disguised by housing it in a beautifully styled wood cabinet.
For seating, alongside the open space of
the connecting framework, is a long and narrow harvest table that Camilo built. A unique styling was done with the base constructed out of small trees. This infusion of natural materials adds a dimension of authenticity to the interior. Wood beamed ceilings, natural wood floors, exposed stone walls and distressed wood accent pieces appoint this home's living space. With all the elements used to renovate the home, this old farmhouse's facelift is undetectable. The artistry and craftsmanship that went into the two major renovations were so skillfully executed, with great attention to detail, every addition seamlessly complements the original living space.
In addition to the interior modifications and transformations, Don and Trish took on several projects on the property. In 2008 the original bank barn was renovated. Records state the barn dates from the first quarter of the nineteenth century when Daniel Althouse owned the property. This threebay barn has stone-sided earthen bank with two additions on three sides. According to accounts, the barn was modernized for dairying sometime in the early twentieth century. To refurbish the barn they stripped all the stucco on the exterior and re-did the interior. “We tore up all the old, soggy floors,” Don adds,” and re-used them after re-treating the wood.” They describe how the original milking stanchions were in place, as well as the haymows.
Today, the renovated barn is an entertainment space, with a music studio on the upper level. The main, center of the barn functions as the party area and upstairs they the music studio where the granary used to be. Upon retirement, Don decided to learn how to play the guitar. He and his band, the Barnacles, rehearse and record here. Aside from music as a newer hobby, Don always liked to fish. In 2010 they added a barn garage and a pond. “We filled the pond with bass, blue gills and cat fish,” Don adds.
Whether indoors or out, Drumbore Farm has been transformed once again to fit the lifestyle of the newest residents. Don and Trish enjoy their lives on Drumbore Farm. Intimate gatherings and grand parties take place at this homestead frequently. “A place like this is meant to be shared,” Trish explains, “and life is short. We want people to come and enjoy.”
Beth S. Buxbaum is a freelance writer from the Philadelphia area.
