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| Vol. 17, No. 28 | April 23, 1998 |
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| Vol. 17, No. 28 | April 23, 1998 |
Cindy Adams with her exhibition of New Castle architecture
When Cindy Adams graduated from the University last May and became a research assistant in the Center for Historic Architecture and Design (CHAD), she did not know that overnight she would become a sought after curator and expert archivist.
The New Castle Historical Society called for a student to help create an exhibit of New Castle architecture, and CHAD director David Ames and research associate Becky Siders decided Adams was the one for the job. "I don't think the New Castle Historical Society realized I had never done anything like this before, and it was pretty overwhelming at first," she recalled.
The result was "From Dutch Houses to Bungalows: Three Centuries of New Castle Architecture," an exhibit at the New Castle Old Library, located at Third Street and the Green.
"The Old Library is a wonderful 1892 octagonal building with a balcony. Although it isn't that large, in addition to its outside walls, it has free standing walls for exhibits. The bare walls were daunting, and I realized I had my work cut out for me," Adams recalled.
"However, David and Becky were on hand to help and advise me. Jan Morrill, director of the New Castle Historical Society, gave of her time and expertise. Bruce Gordon, a New Castle woodworker, who has collected and preserved architectural objects from old houses, also gave invaluable assistance and let us use items from his collection for the exhibit," Adams said.
Siders suggested presenting the architecture in a time-line, dividing the buildings into 50-year segments from 1700 until 1900.
One part of the exhibition includes photographs of New Castle interior stairways, taken by Ames for the exhibit. From Gordon's collection, old cabinets, doors and shutters-and a segment of punch and gouge trim used for chair rails in the Read House-form another part of the exhibit.
One treasure unearthed for the exhibit was some oversized iron numerals "1687" from the now demolished Dutch tile house, indicating the year it had been built.
"Their location was incorrect on the inventory sheet. No one knew where they were, just that they existed," Adams said. "We finally found them in the Old Library's basement. We put these up on a wall with a Dutch gable above to indicate the origins, and it was effective," Adams said.
Another panel involves the industry of the town, showing old steel factories and the trolley barn. "I understand the trolley barn may be used as a municipal garage, which is a great way to reuse an old building rather than let it fall into disrepair and ruin," Adams said.
Adams conducted research for the exhibition, tracking down old photographs and maps of New Castle, in the state archives in Dover and the Delaware Historic Society and had them mounted for the exhibition.
"After the area was settled by the Dutch, the Swedes and the English, New Castle became a major crossroads for a mobile society, with packet boats making stops here. A road connected the town with Bohemia in Maryland as early as 1671.
A ferry permit request was made in 1728, and ferry service did not cease until the 1950s when the Delaware Memorial Bridge was built," Adams pointed out.
Merchants used to be on The Strand until a fire in 1824 destroyed 23 buildings. The commercial part of the town later moved to Delaware Street, according to Adams.
Those who could afford it frequently had country homes to escape the summer heat, noise and smells of the bustling town. "I found an 1868 photograph of a wonderful old house that no one knew existed. All that stands there now is a stone wall, but people are interested in trying to find out more about the building," Adams said.
As an undergraduate, Adams majored in American studies, which provided an overview of history, literature, art, architecture and music-the "big picture," she said.
One of her first courses was vernacular architecture with Bernie Herman, art history. That and her love for old buildings attracted her to CHAD. Of special interest to her are old school buildings, which will be the basis of her master's degree thesis.
With the exhibit established and in place, Adams currently is working with Preservation Delaware on a primer on saving threatened buildings from demolition. Another project will be making measurements and researching documents of her aunt's l799 home in Pennsylvania.
"Stewardship-recording old buildings and, where possible, saving and preserving them or using them in other ways-is my priority," Adams said.
"From Dutch Houses to Bungalows: Three Centuries of New Castle Architecture," in the New Castle Old Library, 40 East Third St., is open 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturdays; and 1-4 p.m., Sundays; until mid-October.
For more information, call the society at 322-2794.
-Sue Swyers Moncure
Photo by Jack Buxbaum
