For Sale

Description

A rare opportunity to own a piece of local history and Americana INTRODUCING The Blue Ball Inn, c.1790…wildly fabled, historically referenced and lovingly admired…daily…one of the first and one of the last remaining inns on the Old Conestoga Trail which ran from Philadelphia to Lancaster for 100 years! ‘The Ball’ became a private residence in 1894, and now is in search of qualified, loving stewards to restore and revitalize this legendary property set on a beautiful 1.2 acre level lot spanning 2 road frontages in A+Tredyffrin Township. The front door leads directly into the long Commons Room (15’ X 32’) creating, in real time, the Living Room and Dining Room floored with timber from the Pennsylvania Long Leaf Pine, a tree extinct since 1860. There are 5 fireplaces on the 1st and 2nd floors…4 in working condition and all have original mantels. Behind the Commons Room is the original Inn Kitchen centering life as a tavern in the late 1700’s and as a private residence today. Three sides of this room are taken up by shelves that began near the floor and since have been extended to the beamed ceiling. The 4th side is taken over almost entirely by the wide, deep walk-in fireplace with its original long, hand forged crane and lazy-boy, cooking pot hooks and old brass tea kettle, all blackened by the smoke of 200 centuries of cooking! The narrow, boxed-in stairway leads into the front fireside Bedroom and also opens to the 2nd story of the charming outdoor side porch in 1974. Next is a smaller Bedroom with its own fireplace. A half-Bath serves these 2 Bedrooms. The Bedroom in the rear is considered the Owner’s suite with a private Bathroom and a secret room reached by a door with a trick latch and narrow and inconspicuous passageway to enter. It once was heated by a Franklin stove! On the 3rd floor are 3 Bedrooms and a 2nd full Bath. In all of its years of existence, the house has been only slightly altered from its original appearance. A small Kitchen wing was added shortly before 1900 and completely redone in 1974 and again around 1985. On the left side of the house is a wide and pleasant porch with a 2nd story adding its note of charm and summer comfort.The dirt-floor Basement holds several small rooms and an interesting arched stone tunnel naturally lighted by a piece of 2” thick glass embedded in the brick walkway to the front door. The east side has a large brick terrace served by 2 brick walkways and a 2-car detached Garage with storage above. Old paths once wound through flower gardens and a goldfish pond bordered by hedges. There are tales told of The Blue Ball Inn but the most important one is yours yet to be told!