Woodford has long been distinguished for its stately proportions, tawny
yellow brickwork and many-paned windows, behind a screen of beautiful
walnut trees. It has lately been opened to the public by Daniel T. V.
Huntoon, Trustee of the estate of the late Naomi Wood. Her bequest of
her collection together with an endowment fund, has been the means of
accomplishing this restoration.
The early history of Woodford is not definitely known, as there were
nine changes of ownership from 1693, when the original grant of land was
made by William Penn, to 1800.
On entering the house the visitor finds the hall distinguished by a
panelled wainscot, fluted pilasters and six doors. To the left is the
parlour, one of the handsomest rooms of the period in America.
Amongst the furniture, which is American throughout, are a rare
Chippendale sofa and wing chair, a fine example of the transitional
style of armchair, a small writing desk of about 1690, and a
Philadelphia tripod tea-table.
The lighting fixtures are rare examples of authentic metalwork, the
brass chandelier having come from England about 1725. A pair of George
II gilt bronze wall sconces between the windows came from Hornby Castle
in Yorkshire.
Across the hall, the dining room is a counterpart of the parlour save
for the chimneypiece and furniture. On leaving the dining room, the
staircase is evident for the first time, as it occupies the wing added
upon the completion of the house in 1756. Above the stairs are two large
rooms and a smaller room. Over the parlour is the master’s bedroom, now
restored as a sitting room. Some pieces of furniture in this room go
back to 1700. In the bedroom upon the walnut highboy are old bandboxes
covered with stencilled papers.
[Illustration: MOUNT PLEASANT, 1761 Shown on map as No. 6]