The Lawrence Mansion
Plantation on the outskirts of Seaford, Delaware, sadly no longer standing
by Ellen Rice
"Lawrence"
The historic Lawrence in Seaford, Delaware, was built circa 1840. Located on Route 13A, near the artist's home, it was a three-story, temple-front Greek Revival home. Ellen was given a private tour in the 1980s by the then owners, one of whom wished her to restore a painting.
It was beautiful, but the owner pointed out how the floors sloped and windows needed rebuilding. There was a drop from the front section to the back portion of the mansion, built in different eras. There were termites in the columns. It was clear that it needed extensive repairs and restoration, though the interior at surface level was beautiful, decorated with period furniture.
Lawrence's front featured a pediment supported by four square columns, floor-length parlor windows, and intact original hardware and flooring. The home was originally built for Charles Wright, a prominent local tradesman and shipper. It was a name familiar to the artist, who at the time worked in a large newspaper office and printing complex situated in a building by the waterfront that at one time was part of Wright's shipping activity on the Nanticoke River.
Lawrence was a rare example of a temple-front Greek Revival structure. It was meticulously surveyed by state historical preservationists and was documented to be in excellent condition in 1977, but their were unseen problems and repairs became too much to handle. The property was abandoned, and despite loud public outcries, eventually demolished.
What a loss of such a significant piece of Southern Delaware's history. It's memory as it was in the early 1970s is kept alive in this pen and ink by artist and history lover Ellen Rice.
It was beautiful, but the owner pointed out how the floors sloped and windows needed rebuilding. There was a drop from the front section to the back portion of the mansion, built in different eras. There were termites in the columns. It was clear that it needed extensive repairs and restoration, though the interior at surface level was beautiful, decorated with period furniture.
Lawrence's front featured a pediment supported by four square columns, floor-length parlor windows, and intact original hardware and flooring. The home was originally built for Charles Wright, a prominent local tradesman and shipper. It was a name familiar to the artist, who at the time worked in a large newspaper office and printing complex situated in a building by the waterfront that at one time was part of Wright's shipping activity on the Nanticoke River.
Lawrence was a rare example of a temple-front Greek Revival structure. It was meticulously surveyed by state historical preservationists and was documented to be in excellent condition in 1977, but their were unseen problems and repairs became too much to handle. The property was abandoned, and despite loud public outcries, eventually demolished.
What a loss of such a significant piece of Southern Delaware's history. It's memory as it was in the early 1970s is kept alive in this pen and ink by artist and history lover Ellen Rice.
