"The Red Stable"

                                                                                "The Red Stable"
 

Original watercolor available.

"Bird-in-Hand"

                                                                                        "Bird-in-Hand”

   

   History of “Bird-in-Hand

The village was established in the 1700's, and served as a rest stop for travelers heading west.  It was during this time that Bird-in-Hand earned its unique name. The legend of this village's name dates back to 1734 when two men surveying the Colonial highway between Philadelphia and Lancaster found themselves at a Tavern/Inn by a Conestoga wagon stop, the sign showed a man with a bird perched in his hand – and it continues today. 

A book produced for Bird-in-Hand’s 250 ^th anniversary in 1984 had this to say about the history of the town's name:   The pike was being laid out in order to connect Lancaster with a direct route to Philadelphia.  A discussion took place between two road surveyors as to whether they should stop at their present location or go on to Lancaster to spend the night.  One of them said, “a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush”, which meant… it is better to hold onto something one has than to risk losing it by trying to get something better.  The other surveyor followed this bit of advice and both remained at what became known as the Bird-in-Hand Inn.

Inns were identified by painted signs, since pictures could be understood by all travelers, no matter their nationality or education level.  The 18^th Century Inn sign, that inspired this town’s name, literally depicted a man with a bird in his hand.

Today, Bird-in-Hand remains a meeting place for farmers and locals, where they are joined by visitors passing through the area to experience the village’s rich traditions.  The village offers the flavors of Pennsylvania Dutch culture and history via its restaurants, bakeries, quaint local shops and an old-fashioned farmers’ market packed with fresh foods, handmade crafts, and homegrown produce.  In fact, this market resulted in Bird-in-Hand being designated a “market town.”

Original available.  Reproductions and note cards are also available.

"Ohio Barn"

"Delaware Ohio Barn"

A barn that’s been described as a “Delaware County treasure” will be a focal point of a 233-acre park being developed in Orange Township by Preservation Parks of Delaware County.

One of Ohio’s 88 bicentennial barns – painted with logos leading up to the 200th anniversary of Ohio’s statehood in 2003 – and sits on a half-acre.  The barn is located on Bale Kenyon Road near the Interstate 71 underpass in Orange township.

 

"Mail Pouch"

"Mail Pouch"

"Wintertime Fun"

"Wintertime Fun"

History of "Wintertime Fun"

This painting was commissioned by the Livingston House Society.  The “Livingston House” and "Wintertime Fun" 1864- 1865 – 1792 Graham Road was accepted into the National Register of Historical places.  Alexander W. Livingston has been known as the “man who developed the tomato.”  His contribution to tomato culture lay in quality and varieties with a specific purpose   He introduced more new, stable varieties of tomato that any other individual or group.  In the Yearbook of the Department of Agriculture, an article calls attention to the fact that of the 40 varieties tomato that had attained a distinct status prior to 1910, one-third were introductions by the Livingston Seed Company.

Mr. Livingston was a well-known as a Sunday school teacher at the Ohio Penitentiary.  He had a seed wagon, built as a Conestoga wagon with wood boxes built in to display seeds.  Under these boxes were open areas where slaves were hidden during the days of the Underground Railroad.  It was called the “ark”.

Mr. Livingston was just as particular about his house as he was his plants.  He paid over $1.50 extra per 1,000 board feet so he could personally select siding free from knots.  He employed Nathan Orcutt, a cabinetmaker by trade, to build his house in 1864-1865.  Orcutt was the finest of workmen, strict about the exactness of fit between two pieces of wood.  When he was done, the house had a “furniture finish”.

The original siding was wide strips and there also remains, built the same, a milk house with stone floors and shake roof.  There were seven bedrooms, a pantry and a kitchen; and on the east, a summer kitchen.  The parlor, a room of great elegance is generously trimmed with molding.  There is a beautiful hand-carved wood staircase with the two banked curves in the oak handrail.  The large windowpanes are mostly original glass, a little wavy with small bubbles in it.  Two small porches provided safety from the rain.

This Victorian style farmhouse is a rich wine color with beige trim.  Its setting is perfect as there is a lot of open space that has preserved the feeling that you are, indeed, in a farm location.

A kitchen garden has been maintained by the Marabar Garden Club.  Some of the plants used in the garden were obtained by a horticulturist from the National Seed Depository and were actual Livingston Seeds.

 A floral cutting garden provided a beautiful view from the homes front door and is the second category the home is registered under as a historical site.  It is an authentic 1800 era garden and members of the four Seasons Garden Club, have spent hours maintaining its beauty.  Ohio Association of Garden Club judges have provided expert help.  Many citizens have donated plants from their great grandmother gardens.

The original painting of the “Livingston House” was SOLD to our Former Ohio Attorney General, Betty Montgomery, who gave the painting as an award to Joann Davidson, our first woman Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives.

This painting depicts the back view of the “Livingston House”.  Original is available, as well as,   signed and numbered Reproductions and note cards. Image size: 14 1/4" x18 1/4"

"Old Village Shops"

                                                                                                    "Old Village Shops"

"Old Village Shops" is a Limited Edition, signed and numbered reproduction, Image size: 7 1/4" x 37".

Original available.

"Spring Bouquet"

                                                                            "Spring Bouquet"

"Spring Bouquet" is a Limited Edition, signed and numbered reproduction.

Original available.   Reproduction image size: 10 1/2 x 12"