and just look at the pictures.
Here’s the bio of John Dickinson, in case you’re interested. He was born on the eastern shore of Maryland, in Talbot County, but the family moved to the Dover (DE) area when he was very small. He was raised in the plantation manor house which faced the St. Jones River. Then, it was a mile wide, and all provisions were brought in by ship, all goods grown or made on the farm were shipped out, usually north to Wilmington or Philadelphia. (Now, the river is just a wee creek through a marshy area) They were a prosperous family, able to send him to London to be educated.
It was a beautiful day, and I have a new camera. This site is about 15 minutes from my house, and I’ve been there many times over many years. I remember taking the kids there when they were small, and watching Bri’s hands like a hawk, in fear of what he might touch, break, pocket. Each season brings different displays, and the decorations at Christmas are really something special. No “artificial,” no Santas, no twinkling lights. The decorations are plentiful but in keeping with how it would have been in about 1770.
The original section is the tallest part, on the right. The “winter kitchen” is under that part. It was severely damaged by fire almost 200 years ago, and much of that section’s interior is rebuilt.
Next was added the middle section, a dining/family area, with small sleeping quarters above for house servants. Much of the furnishings are period pieces, many belonging to members of the Dickinson family. I’m not sure what the original intent was for the third section on the left. Now, it houses the collection of spinning wheels and weaving looms.
That’s flax they’re spinning there. I’ve no experience working with it. May never try!!
All fancy homes of the period had Formal Gardens, and it was beautiful out there on a sunny day.
Benches are placed here and there, and I would have stayed for days.
Little things fascinate me, perhaps because they match the size of my brain.
I’m going to guess that this is a brass door knocker, but I’m not sure. There are benches at the front door, and I sat and rested, and looked out over open fields. The original property was some 500 acres. Now, about 100 surrounding acres are owned by the state, rented as farmland, but it insures that modern day will not encroach, and housing developments will not spring up immediately adjacent.
I also like bricks and the patterns they make.
This is the end of the third section, and leads into the section with the wheels and looms.
These are so beautiful after a long winter!
There was a big old tree in the Formal Garden in front of the house, and these tiny grape hyacinths were growing at the base.� And bees were a-buzzing.
I love spring and fall best. I think spring’s flowers are the prettiest, and I go wild with the camera every year, taking pictures of the same damn flowers like this is the first time in the history of the planet that these pretties have ever shown themselves. I’ll probably do it again next year, too, just as astounded by their beauty. The autumn colors also get to me, not quite as much as this, but they are magnificent.
Summer here is just hot and humid, winter is cold and damp, that sort of cold that goes right into your bones. I’ll take 6 years of straight sping and fall, please.
