This Saturday, May 18, 2013 will bring back another trip in time, when the oldest house and garden tour in the United States returns for the 89th time in Old New Castle, on the Delaware River. A Day in Old New Castle is presented by Immanuel Episcopal Church on the Green, in the center of this historic town. One thing I always look forward to is the Town Crier announcing the arrival of William Penn, who first set foot on what is now U.S. soil in 1682 in New Castle. Penn and the Crier travel around town re-enacting the "Livery of Seisen," an ancient conveyancing ceremony presenting Penn with a porringer of river water, a twig, and a piece of turf. Last year I was helping greet visitors to the Amstel House, as I will again this year, when Penn came through. Being a very tall gentleman wit... 05/16/2013

OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY 1-3 April 148 Vista Dr Blairville Court New Castle DE Beautiful 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath townhome with updated kitchen, large master, garage, and finished lower level with walk out. Directions: Conveniently located on Route 13 about halfway between Tybouts Corner and the Route 13 / Route 40 split.Blairville Court home pricing and sales activity stabilize at more competitive levels. As Buena Vista Park construction was completed, the adjacent property was developed as Blairville Court . This community offers 66 newer townhomes. Per the tax records, the first properties were completed in 1992 and the first section was completed in 1994. These properties were two story mostly 3 bedroom units with a few 2 bedroom properties having an average of 1250 sqft. The last homes develop... 04/11/2013

After some weakness, Buena Vista Park home values appear to be stabilizing. Located on Route 13 just to the north of Tybouts Corner and the Buena Vista Conference Center and south of the Route 13 / Route 40 split, Buena Vista Park is a nice community of about 220 homes. This location provides prime access to much of New Castle County and immediate access to Route 1 / Route 13 toward the shore. The Wilmington / New Castle County Airport and the City of Wilmington are directly north along Route 13. Route 1 runs just to the west and turns into Route 7 as you travel north providing easy access to I-95, the Christiana Mall, and the Stanton / Pike Creek areas. Plenty of dining and entertainment options are just minutes away. Buena Vista Park itself is a nice mixture of townhomes and single fa... 04/08/2013

Strange Find At New Castle Delaware Rental Home Clean Out One never knows what they will find when removing carpet or removing dry wall.  The carpet removal started out just like any other rental clean out, we started on the 2nd floor bedroom carpet and moved down the steps to the living room then onto the dining area shown in the photo below. Its looks like a "artist" named Tater was in the home doing some work before the carpet was put down but the big question is who is Tater? 03/01/2013

Swanwyck, Swanwyck Gardens, & Swanwyck Estates seem to be experiencing stronger home sales and pricing as we continue through 2012. ****Open House Sunday Sept 16 at 118 Cross Ave 12-2**** Swanwyck, Swanwyck Gardens & Swanwyck Estates are three adjacent communities located just south of I-295 and west of Route 9 in New Castle Delaware providing easy access to much of New Castle County and immediate access to New Jersey across the Delaware Memorial Bridge. Originally part of an estate began in 1805, redevelopment in the area began as early as the late 1930s but was mostly suspended due to the war. Today most of the approximately 450+homes were built as ranch style properties during the 1950s. Although some properties range over 3000 square feet, most homes average between 900 and 1500 squ... 09/11/2012

In celebration of the Delaware Art Museum’s 100th anniversary, and in conjunction with 100 Works for 100 Years—a Museum-wide installation featuring one or more works from each year of the Museum’s existence—the Delaware Art Museum is thrilled to present its very first pop-up art exhibition! The exhibition, titled Art is Everywhere, will be on view statewide from July 17 through early October, 2012. Gorgeous reproductions of some of the Museum’s most treasured paintings, such as Howard Pyle’s The Mermaid, Winslow Homer’s Milking Time, and Edward Hopper’s Summertime, will be on view in 15 communities throughout the state.                                                     Above is "Standing Out" by Edward Moran, mounted in front of the Courthouse in Old New Castle, Delaware. And looking ... 08/16/2012

Last week, Preservation Delaware hosted Preservation Weekend in Old New Castle, Delaware. One of the speakers was Richard Byrne, an Architectural Conservator from Staunton, Virginia. After many years of experience, Mr. Byrne had some definite views about preserving older and historic homes. One of his strongly emphasized statements was that wood needs an opaque coating to preserve the cambium of the wood siding or decking. I had heard home inspectors recommend coating decks with stain, but Byrne strongly disagrees with this advice. "Paint, Paint!" and no alternatives, he advised. Along with this, his mantra included keeping wood in good repair, correctly nailing wood shingles so that they have room to expand and contract, and keeping water and insects away from wood.          Shown abov... 08/09/2012

Preservation Delaware had a very informative talk and walking tour in Old New Castle, Delaware yesterday. It's an especially appropriate place to discuss the way tree roots are reaching through walkways because the town not only has a large National Historic Register District of Historic Homes, but it has so many beautiful trees, and they line the brick walkways in town. This is a combination sure to keep both the town and the state (which owns the buildings on the Green) busy repairing walkways, as well as keeping local property owners busy.              Our local expert was Ken Darsney, a Horticulture Manager for the Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs in Delaware. He has been in charge of the trees on the Green (in back of the Old Court House), and making changes to the brick... 08/05/2012

June 15th of the fateful year of 1776 was a momentous date for the people of Delaware.  On that day the Colonial Assembly took the drastic step of proclaiming the little colony (The Three Lower Counties of New Castle, Kent and Sussex-upon-Delaware) separate and independent from Great Britain and free from any ties  with the proprietary Penn family.                                            Historic New Castle celebrates Separation Day, Delaware’s birthday, each year on the Second Saturday in June with a full day and evening of festivities. This year the celebration begins at 11 a.m. with a parade on Delaware Street featuring the Jersey Surf Drum & Bugle Corps, the Irish Thunder Pipes & Drums, the Avalon String Band, and 287 Army National Guard Band, and many other units. There will be ... 06/07/2012

Every year on the third Saturday in May, Old New Castle in Delaware holds it's biggest event, Day in Old New Castle.  And this year, as in countless years past, a friend and I will be part of the cadre of volunteer docents greeting visitors to various historic homes.         Not only will you be able to visit shops, museums, and private homes between 10 AM and 5 PM, but some pretty spectacular gardens will also be open (pictures are: Packet Alley on The Strand and flower on the 2010 tour). There will be music, dancing, and change bell ringing (an ancient church bell ringing method). There will be plenty of food available from local restaurants.  And please stop by the Amstel House before 2 PM and say hello!  For more information, see http://dionc.immanuelepiscopal.com/index.html   05/17/2012

  On Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012 at 1:30 p.m., the New Castle Courthouse Museum http://history.delaware.gov/museums/ncch/ncch_main.shtml   located at 211 Delaware St. in Old New Castle, Delaware., will present the program "Forgotten Presidents and How the Presidency Evolved." Admission to the museum, which will also be open for visitation between 1:30 and 4:30 p.m., is free and open to the public. For additional information, call 302-323-4453.   Led by historic-site interpreter Bob Vander Decker, the program will explore the lives of the 14 men who served as presidents of the Continental Congress.  See info at  http://www.russpickett.com/ushist/uscont.htm   This convention of delegates  emerged as the first national government of the United States during the period of the American Revolution t... 02/02/2012

Last month, the 192 room Sheraton Wilmington South finally opened for guests, 10 years after it's original planned opening. What happened? Well, building inspectors discovered it was 1/3 larger than approved plans. Court battles ended in bankruptcy for the developers, another developer took over, and finally Hersha Hospitality plunked down $15 million for the fully furnished. building.  Hersha spent $24 million gutting the never-used hotel, creating a grand lobby staircase for those perfect bridal pictures. Yesterday, the New Castle County Board of Realtors held their installation of 2012 officers at the Sheraton, and we had a chance to see it in all its neutral-toned beauty.    The verdict?  I have not seen the rooms, but the meeting room on the 2nd floor overlooking the lobby had a lo... 01/26/2012

Although few houses now NEED fireplaces as their only source of heat, from the early days of our republic until the late 19th century, fireplaces were the main cooking and heat source in most homes.          The photos above show 2 houses, the first of which, Tomahawk, was built in 1772 near Hartly, Delaware, and which has been incorporated into the life of a modern family. The second picture is from The George Read II House in New Castle, Delaware, from 1801, which is a house museum with volunteers demonstrating open hearth cooking.                    Now, you might ask, "What is going on here?"    And the answer would be, these are the same 2 houses, but on the basement level.  Some people look at the picture on the left and say,"That must be a fireplace." But they would be wrong. Tha... 10/23/2011

Search New Castle Delaware Homes For Sale - No Sign up required Includes Bank Owned Homes LOW DOWN PAYMENT Homes in New Castle Delaware are selling fast with historic low rates for buyers and the lowest home prices in years. Search all of New Castle County with this home search by entering in the zip code in the form above. You can also sell your home with my Full Service listing program from 3%! Save thousands and get it sold fast when you sell your home here! 10/14/2011

Saturday, May 21, from 10 am to 5 pm is the 86th annual Day in Old New Castle, Delaware. The Colonial Capital of the State opens museums, private homes, and gardens, in this little town on the Delaware River. (shown is the Old Court House west wing). ~Stroll through carefully tended gardens~Tour exquisite private homes dating from the 18th century that reflect the history of Old New Castle~Enjoy guided historical walking tours~Enjoy period music, dance, and change ringing on the church tower bells. More information at http://dionc.immanuelepiscopal.com/ (And until 1:45 pm, look for me greeting guests at the door of the Amstel House museum) 05/19/2011

Buena Vista, c. 1846, a mansion and conference center owned by the State of Delaware, is located south of the City of New Castle. It is notable not only for its distinctive original Southern-Style architecture but for a 1929 addition designed by R. Brognard Okie of nearby Pennsylvania. The original occupant, John M. Clayton ((1796-1856) is notable for being a State Representative, Delaware Secretary of State, U. S. Senator, Delaware Chief Justice, and U.S. Secretary of State for President Zachary Taylor (1849-50). The bust of Clayton to the right is a copy of one in Statuary Hall in the U.S. Capitol.  The State has recently hired an interpreter who will be able to give tours of the property, which still is surrounded by hundreds of acres of farmland and reached down a long driveway from... 03/30/2011

Search New Castle Delaware Homes For Sale Low Down Payment First Time Home Buyers Programs Here! There are still first time home buyer benifts for buyers in New Castle County, buyer can purchase a home for very little money down and the rates are still very low. There are many homes to choose from in this buyers market. Call me right away! 302-530-9186 03/27/2011

The New Castle Court House Museum in New Castle, Delaware is currently exhibiting two on-going exhibits: "Archaeology of the New Castle Court House" and "Emeline Hawkins: Her Journey from Slavery to Freedom on the Underground Railroad." "Archaeology of the New Castle Court House" highlights the many phases of archaeological investigations at the historic site. A group of selected artifacts, representing over 300 years of continuous use of the court house, provide a visual narrative illustrating the building's diverse functions including service as the center of the colonial and state government, location of the county seat and courts, uses by private businesses including a tea room, and finally, use as a public museum. "Emeline Hawkins: Her Journey from Slavery to Freedom on the Underg... 02/08/2011

Crime Map Collins Park New Castle Delaware 19720 Delaware Alarm Systems For Home And Business The map below shows all the reported crime in Collins Park during the last 3 months.  There is no better way to protect your family, home and valuables then to install a quality home alarm with central monitoring.  Get protected today with a FREE Security System from National Security. GET A FREE HOME ALARM TODAY!  LIMITED TIME OFFER, CALL 302-598-2411 FOR DETAILS  Criminal Mischief - 3Theft - 10Burglary - 5Vehicle Theft - 0Robbery - 0Murder - 0     National Security, a Guardian Protection Services Authorized Dealer will install a alarm system for the home or business for just a $49.95 install fee.  Call today for a special offer from National Security. The package includes: Keypad Motion Detec... 07/26/2010

 New Castle Delaware Security Systems Free Home Alarms Crime Profile Castle Hills New Castle, De. 19720  GET A FREE HOME ALARM TODAY!  LIMITED TIME OFFER, CALL 302-598-2411 FOR DETAILS  The crime map below shows all the reported crimes in the Development of Castle Hills during the last 3 months.  There is no better way to protect your family, home and valuables then to install a quality home alarm with central monitoring.  Read how a Delaware homeowner used her security system to do just that a few weeks ago.    Criminal Mischief - 6Theft - 9Burglary - 6Vehicle Theft - 8Robbery - 0Murder - 0 National Security, a Guardian Protection Services Authorized Dealer will install a alarm system for the home or business for just a $49.95 install fee.  The package includes: Keypad Motion Detector ... 07/22/2010