If there's a Chester County historical preservation project going on, you can bet that my friend Linda Kaat is somehow involved. Her latest project is the restoration of Strode's Mill (the one with the scrapple sign) at the corner of Route 52 and Birmingham Road. She asked me to put in a plug for the fundraiser that the Friends of Strode's Mill is having on Saturday, September 12, from 5 to 8 p.m. The event will be held at Chesterdale Farm, 1046 Lenape Road, West Chester. The goal is to raise $20,000 "to cover the next phase of demolition and repair" of the old mill, and although there isn't a ticket to buy, there will be donation jars at the event.
The party will include Revolutionary War reenactors from the First Delaware Regiment, colonial music and dance, food and drink, and a silent auction (another chance to contribute to the cause!).
Take a look at the Friends of Strode's Mill website, which gives lots of history about the property and possibilities for the future.
According to the site: "For 250 years, a single Quaker family built thriving businesses at this corner. The circa 1722 mill, across the street, ground corn, pressed cider, and turned trees into usable lumber. As the family prospered they added this pork-processing barn. Pork may not sound romantic, but Strode's became nationally known for its quality sausage and scrapple, produced with hogs grown on the surrounding farm. The date stone says 1875, but the foundation suggests an earlier barn stood here long before. We look forward to uncovering the full history as we preserve the site.
"The Strode's historic district includes a remarkably well-preserved collection of buildings. Unlike other important intersections in the area, it has retained its intimate character, with most of the original buildings still surrounding a rural crossroads. Restoring the barn will further stabilize the historic district and preserve this example of prosperous early industry for future generations."
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