BIRDSBORO >> For the first time in 20 years, the historic Brooke Mansion will open its doors to the public for tours.
The Woman’s Club of Birdsboro is hosting tours as a fundraiser on Sunday, May 20, for a $10 admission fee at the door.
“We had a fundraiser 20 years ago offering tours of the Brooke Mansion and was a huge success,” said Jody Ewing, event chairman of the Women’s Club of Birdsboro. “There have been many new people to the area that have expressed interest in seeing the interior of the mansion, so we thought it a good time to offer tours again.
The Brooke Mansion at 301 Washington St. was built in 1887 by Edward Brooke II. The Victorian Queen Anne style mansion was designed by the famous architect Frank Furness. The mansion, which was built for Brooke’s wife, Ann Louise Clingan, as a wedding present, includes 19 bedrooms and nine bathrooms. The 10 fireplaces are all still working.
“It’s just a beautiful inside,” Ewing said. “The architecture, the fire places, they’re all pretty.”
The Brooke family lived there until 1944. Since, the mansion has been handed down through multiple owners. Current owners Marci and Peter Xenias converted Brooke Mansion to a bed and breakfast that they operated for more than 20 years, according to Ewing.
The mansion is listed as one of the 21 most noted homes in the world in Janet Foster’s book “The Queen Anne House.” It is also mentioned as the Editor’s Choice in Architectural Digest and in the book “Frank Furness: The Complete Works.”
“It was ahead of its time,” Ewing told Town Lively. “It had modern conveniences like a central vacuuming system.”
The mansion also features a circular rosewood library with built-in bookshelves, as well as a walk-in safe. The wood elevator and cast iron decor on the doors and windows were produced by the Brooke Foundry. All the woodwork is still the original from Europe.
Tours on May 20 will take place from noon to 6 p.m.
“Groups of eight to 10 will move through the house, so there will be many groups at the same time,” Ewing told Town Lively. “The tour guides will know the history of [Brooke Mansion] and what is here.”
There are no prior ticket sales, and the mansion is not handicap accessible. Light refreshments will be available. Proceeds benefit the Woman’s Club of Birdsboro.
“See it now because who knows when it’ll happen again,” Ewing said.
The Women’s Club of Birdsboro has been a nonprofit organization with the goal of enhancing the community since 1936. On top of this tour, the club hosts many other events, including a car show and basket bingo. The club also offers scholarships to Daniel Boone High School seniors, and the organization donates to local beneficiaries such as the Boone Area Library, Birdsboro-Union Fire Department, Birdsboro Police Department, and Birdsboro Community Medical Center.
The Women’s Club of Birdsboro meets each fourth Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ at 300 W. First St., Birdsboro.
