Welcome to the Minshall-Green house! Thomas Minshall was a Quaker that emigrated from Lancashire, England on the ship Welcome with William Penn in 1682. It was likely the third generation of Minshalls that constructed the first portion of this house. In 1807, it was sold to Robert Green, the son of a tavern owner in neighboring Edgemont Township. Three generations of the Green family continued to operate a successful farm & orchard until 1885, when it transferred ownership once again. Finally, in 1919, the farm was sold for development, and what we know today as Bowling Green, was the vision of the developer & Architect, Edward Kenney Crothers. Mr. Crothers was responsible for the design and construction of 20 of the new residences in Bowling Green, while residing in the historic residence of the Minshalls & Greens. Fortunately, what stands today is a well preserved, yet updated residence in the heart of the extremely desirable walk to Media neighborhood. This solid masonry residence has the kind of curb appeal that magazines cherish. From the sidewalk, the house is perfectly sited on the expansive grounds, one of the larger lots in the neighborhood. What everyone cherishes is the original covered wishing well, situated between the former garage and the residence. A courtyard garden with a small pond is hidden behind a stone wall that has a flagstone patio just off of the kitchen. There is an entry vestibule that takes you directly into the expansive living room. The staircase is a beautiful focal point (with a coat closet underneath), as it the corner wood burning fireplace. The original woods floors are in excellent condition, and there are multiple windows that provide great views out to the front, side and rear yards. A series of recessed lighting was just installed to enhance the natural light that fills this room. A large four-season sunroom is along the entire southern side of the living room, with direct access to the front and rear yards. A cased opening provides for a surprisingly open floor plan with the dining room. There are several built-in storage cabinets as well as a glass fronted & arched China closet. Detailed trim moldings decorate the walls while the large casement windows flood this room with western light. The efficient chef’s kitchen was renovated in 2008 with stained maple inset cabinetry, soapstone counters, a Bosch dishwasher, an AGA dual-fuel 6-burner range with copper vent hood along with a French door, bottom freezer fridge. A central island has large drawers for storage with a storage shelf underneath. Overhead is a French wrought iron pot rack with an integrated 6 candle chandelier. From the kitchen, there is an exit to the rear yard as well as a rear staircase to the second floor or the basement. A combination powder room and laundry is tucked right next to the vestibule that exits to the courtyard garden. Ascend the main staircase, and the primary suite occupies the space over the living room. A spacious dressing room with a wall of closets overlooks the front and side yards. The en-suite bathroom has a stall shower. The sleeping chamber has the 2nd wood burning fireplace and overlooks the side and rear yards. The hall bathroom has a tub with a hand held shower attachment. There are two guest bedrooms, one that has direct access to the rear staircase down to the kitchen. The third floor is expansive. The 4th bedroom is a great space for crafts or a quiet home office. The final 5th bedroom is impressive! With an exposed stone wall and a vaulted ceiling that exposes the rafter ties, it’s a surprise worth waiting to see. This bedroom has a large walk-in closet and the 3rd full bathroom with a stall shower. There is an abundance of storage in the eaves through a series of knee wall doors to take advantage of every available inch. While the basement is unfinished, it provides an abundance of storage. The large & level rear yard provides ample space for play or future gardening.
