Kathryn Mehan

WYNCOTE PA Home for Sale

This jewel nestles into the landscape with many hidden surprises! In 1893, Dr. Wharton Sinkler began acquiring the land, and subsequently constructed a mansion, tenant house, barn & multiple outbuildings and named it Lifeland. The name Lifeland disappeared from public records shortly after the Sinkler family subdivided & sold the property in 1953. A new owner renamed the barn property WASAFARM! Well into the late 20th century, the owners could simply address their mail to Wasafarm, Wyncote, PA 19095 and the post office would deliver! The property now incorporates just over 1 acre. A portion of the main drive to the estate house next door remains, providing ample guest parking. There is a springhouse to the right & retaining walls around the rear of the barn. The star of the property is the barn, which is fully outfitted with central heat on all 3 floors! The ground floor provides a few remnants of the original horse stalls. Half of the lowest level was re-floored with cement to provide a flat & level surface with a full-sized sliding door to access the grounds. The other half of the ground floor provides exceptional storage space. The first floor has 9 high ceilings. There are four distinct spaces; a full-depth workshop, two large painting studios & a small sitting room with closets & a large cast iron sink & toilet room. The original carriage doors at this level have been secured in place yet the doors remain to ensure the exterior aesthetic. The pice de rsistance is the 2nd floor of the barn! Completely vaulted 22 to the roofline with skylights in the Northern wall, this space was insulated & drywalled for the large-scale artwork of the owners. There is even a trap door in the floor to allow for large canvases to be brought between the floors. For larger equipment & furniture, a block & tackle is used to hoist items through the former hayloft door from the lookout beam. There is also a private office & another store room. There are two additional, separate buildings hidden behind the barn! These could be used for any number of endeavors. The chicken coop was renovated to incorporate windows & two pedestrian doors. Electricity has been run to this structure. While unheated, it could easily be finished into additional workspace. The old greenhouse is now simply used for wood storage! The land extends further beyond the retaining walls to a large grassy area in the far corner of the property that could incorporate a pool, a vegetable garden or orchard. This brings us to the tenant cottage with its original wood floors and charming layout. The first appearance of the house on early maps was in 1909, but the actual age of this structure is likely much older. Although only 1250 sq ft, this cozy residence boasts a kitchen, dining & living rooms & a powder room on the 1st floor. There are 3 bedrooms and 1 full bath upstairs along with a full basement. The house overlooks the barn entrance with a large rear deck & sits high on the hill. You could expand the house as there is ample room between the house and barn to add an addition that could also incorporate a garage addition underneath. The property has been exceptionally maintained by the current owners. The houses roof was installed in 2018 while the barns roof was replaced in 2019. Skylights were added to the barn and the 2nd floor full bath at this time. Both the basement & the lowest level of the barn had the walls parged in 2019 and the concrete floor installed. The heating and central A/C system in the house was replaced in 2018, the barns heating system was replaced in 2012. The entire driveway was repaved in 2019. A casual 1-mile walk will get one to the Jenkintown-Wyncote SEPTA station with the best service to downtown Philadelphia, 30th Street Station and the campuses of Drexel & U of P. Within walking distance are five township-owned parks! All in all, Lifeland/Wasafarm boasts plenty of life and is waiting for its next steward to call it home!

MEDIA PA Home for Sale

Welcome to The Gardeners Cottage at Orchard Farm! This home was constructed around 1910 for Dr. Edward S. Martin at the entrance to his home on Orchard Farm. Originally, Orchard Farm was a summer retreat for Dr. Martin and a working farm. It is believed that this was the home of the gardener and family that supervised the farm. The home also included the barn which housed animals needed in and around the farm. Dr. Edward S. Martin received his undergraduate and masters degrees from Swarthmore College and then attended medical school at the University of Pennsylvania. He became an internationally known surgeon. He held the position of Director of Public Health and Charities and he also served as the State Commissioner of Health. He served on the Board of Education for nearly 27 years and was a 3 term President. In 1886 he married Anna Rebecca Withers. Anna was the granddaughter of Eli K. Price, great uncle of none other than William Lightfoot Price the famous Philadelphia architect! A newspaper clipping from that time states that the groom was Dr. Edward Martin, one of the best known of the younger generation of physicians in this city. Step back in time to view this beautifully maintained Colonial Farmhouse! The Gardeners Cottage features two covered porches, one with deacons benches at the entrance. Step into the foyer with formal living room and formal dining room to either side. The living room has gorgeous hardwood floors with original fireplace and views of the front lawn. The dining room is quiet and cozy, facing the rear lawn. It features a lovely chair rail and beautiful windows. The updated kitchen is open with an eat in area and breakfast peninsula. The kitchen also has outside access to the covered porch. Between the kitchen and formal living room is access to the lower-level family room. The open stairway features the original stone foundation walls and barnwood trim, it opens onto a fully refinished space. This first-floor level also includes a full bath with shower and spacious first floor laundry/mud room with rear access to the deck and entertaining space. Upstairs features a HUGE primary suite with soaring cathedral ceilings, an enormous walk-in closet and a spacious primary ensuite featuring a large soaking tub. Double sinks, plenty of storage, a roomy shower and plenty of light fill the ensuite. Three more bedrooms and a spacious, full bath fill the second floor. Access the roomy attic space through the closet. It is ideal for extra storage and see the beautiful beams featured here. The extensive driveway features parking for several cars and access to the detached barn, all 2125 square feet of it! This space is GORGEOUS and recently hosted a wedding reception and dinner! The original sliding barn doors greet you as well as a 2-piece Dutch door! Many details from the barn remain intact, there are feeding troughs, and 2 horse stalls complete with iron railings. The original grain bin is still intact on the upper floor, as well as the grain dispensers on the first floor. See the original ceramic salt dispenser for the horses still mounted on the stall wall as well as additional gates & a Ben Franklin stove still stored here! The main space could garage cars. Upstairs, the hayloft door operates and the main loft level spreads out before you, its fantastic! Artists space? Painting gallery? Yoga or Pilates? Let your imagination run free! The entire barn was recently re stained & the beautiful, artistic lighting creates a wonderful atmosphere. What will you host here? Behind the barn are the remnants of the old springhouse, a filled-in well and space for a garden. This property has been lovingly cared for & maintained and its ready for you! Close to the train and trolly, have a stroll through Media Boroughs fabulous restaurants. Located in the Award-Winning Wallingford-Swarthmore School District and only 15 minutes to the airport. The Gardeners Cottage at Orchard Farm awaits you!