Today I visited the Urban Archives at Temple University. According to article published in Philadelphia's The Evening Bulletin, the first floor of Thomas Mansion was "covered with rare and valuable oil paintings" and contained "costly rugs, bric-a-brac and heirlooms."
The will of Mr. Thomas as described by The Evening Bulletin claims that $120,000 and all household furnishings and belongings were bequeathed to Caroline Sheetz Thomas.
In an published within a a few years after Mr. Thomas' passing Caroline Sheetz Thomas made this compelling remark regarding the future of Clifford Park and the two residences on the estate:
"My husband was very fond of this old building and was anxious to preserve it as a ruin. Surrounded by shrubbery and towering trees and associated with events in his past life, he could not bear to see it razed. He loved flowers, with which the estate abounds, and he loved children. I hope the Park Commission will preserve intact the mansion as a place for some one, it being such a fine building."
I also found myself wrapped up in the descriptive language used to paint a picture of the landscape Mr. Thomas and his gardening staff cared for lovingly. Rare plants, flowers, trees, roses, fruits, and vegetables flourished on the property.
The collaborative nature of this project, or really any preservation related project can not be understated, and I look forward to working with the welcoming and helpful staff at the Urban Archives department at Temple in the near future.
The photo attached to this entry is of the library bookshelves before the space became use for storage. One can imagine the great collection of books Mr. Thomas possessed.
The will of Mr. Thomas as described by The Evening Bulletin claims that $120,000 and all household furnishings and belongings were bequeathed to Caroline Sheetz Thomas.
In an published within a a few years after Mr. Thomas' passing Caroline Sheetz Thomas made this compelling remark regarding the future of Clifford Park and the two residences on the estate:
"My husband was very fond of this old building and was anxious to preserve it as a ruin. Surrounded by shrubbery and towering trees and associated with events in his past life, he could not bear to see it razed. He loved flowers, with which the estate abounds, and he loved children. I hope the Park Commission will preserve intact the mansion as a place for some one, it being such a fine building."
I also found myself wrapped up in the descriptive language used to paint a picture of the landscape Mr. Thomas and his gardening staff cared for lovingly. Rare plants, flowers, trees, roses, fruits, and vegetables flourished on the property.
The collaborative nature of this project, or really any preservation related project can not be understated, and I look forward to working with the welcoming and helpful staff at the Urban Archives department at Temple in the near future.
The photo attached to this entry is of the library bookshelves before the space became use for storage. One can imagine the great collection of books Mr. Thomas possessed.
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