FEDERAL-ERA TOWNHOUSE AND INTERIORS PROTECTED BY EASEMENTS

The latest donation of a preservation easement to the Preservation Alliance has several twists which distinguishes it from the typical easement donation to the Alliance.

The will of the last owner, Walter Amesbury, stipulated that the property, a Federal-style townhouse at 427 Spruce Street, be protected by a preservation easement. Mr. Amesbury's estate fulfilled that condition of the will by donating both a façade and interior easement to the Alliance. Although it has a small handful of other interior easements, this is the first instance in which an easement was acquired by the Alliance from an estate.

Mr. and Mrs. Amesbury spent the last years of their retirement undertaking a thorough and careful restoration of 427 Spruce which was almost completed before their deaths. They had meticulously researched, restored and, where necessary, recreated the Federal-era interiors including the winding 4-floor staircase, moldings, doors, floors, fireplaces, interior shutters, chair rails and dados, and hardware. They foresaw that the best way to protect their hard work was by a preservation easement. Although the new buyers also appreciate the history and beauty of the property, the Amesburys have insured that all future owners will preserve the property.

A distinguished history accompanies 427 Spruce: it was built in 1790 by William Williams (who is also attributed as the builder of George Washington's Philadelphia house while serving as President). In 1791 the house served as the headquarters of the Consulate-General of France, and in 1795 became the location of the Legation of Spain. From 1805 to 1844 Ann and Jane Craig lived in 427 Spruce; these sisters were the aunts of Nicholas Biddle, one of America¹s most prominent financiers and bankers of his day.

The Alliance currently protects 172 historic properties in the Philadelphia region with preservation easements, ranging from townhouses like 427 Spruce, to large Center-City commercial buildings, to landed estates in Chestnut Hill and the suburbs, to the factory where Atwater Kent radios were first mass produced.