A newly launched Website - www.FriendsOfFurness.org - celebrates the largest extant cluster of buildings designed by noted 19th-century architect Frank Furness, and they are located right here in downtown Wilmington, Delaware, on the Christina Riverfront. They include:
•· The Pennsylvania Railroad French Street Station (now Amtrak Station) 1908
•· The Pennsylvania Building 1905
•· Baltimore & Ohio Railroad (West Street Station) ca.1887
The Website site draws attention to the work of the architect who is famous for creating architecturally unique buildings in the Philadelphia area, including stations for three major American railroads: the Pennsylvania, Reading, and Baltimore & Ohio lines. The Website is promoting this local treasure by providing downloadable lesson plans for teachers and others interested in learning about this local treasure. The site also features a three-minute professionally-produced overview video about the Wilmington Station and Furness. Furness - pronounced "furnace" - is the only architect to have won the Congressional Medal of Honor. He lived from 1839 to 1912 and won the medal for heroic action under hostile fire during the Civil War.
The Friends of the Furness Railroad District is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization established in 2006 to plan for and celebrate the Wilmington Station's 100th anniversary in 2008. FFRD continues its support of these historic buildings and draws attention to their local and national importance.
Carolyn Roland, GRI CRS Patterson-Schwartz & Assoc. Inc.
Selling historic properties in Delaware
and Chester County, Pennsylvania since 1987. Office located in Hockessin, DE, on the Delaware/Pennsylvania line.
Search for properties and learn about the historic scene, past and present
The DE and PA Historic Real Estate blog Call: Direct 800-771-2332 Office 302-239-3000
Nice, such a grand style of travel, and the buildings represented the grandeur.