Thoughtful musings on various topics by interesting people at Blithewold
Blithewold’s Golf Club House
In 1895, when Augustus and Bessie Van Wickle purchased the 70 acre property on Ferry Road that became Blithewold, they had grand plans to make their ‘Country Place’ into an idyllic, restful retreat to share … Read more.
One Hundred Years Ago
JUNE 1916 As I write this in the middle of May we have the heating on in the offices. The Third Floor group just had lunch on the North Porch – a favorite spot to … Read more.
A Boy’s Trip to Europe, 1869
In 1869, 16-year-old Israel Pardee left his home in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, for a one-year educational journey through Europe, accompanied by his younger sister Anne. Israel (known in the family as Izzie) was Bessie McKee’s older … Read more.
A Sad Day in Hazleton, February 1923
The Pardee Mansion, built by Ario Pardee in 1859, was once the showpiece of Hazleton, Pennsylvania. It was home to Ario and Anna Maria Pardee and their 12 children including Bessie Pardee who was born … Read more.
Gettysburg, July 1863
Our collection of 500 letters from the Civil War has one glaring omission. Ario Pardee Jr.’s letters from Gettysburg are missing, and prolonged efforts to locate them (both nationally through Civil War collection experts and … Read more.
A Letter from Ario Pardee to His Two Young Sons at Boarding School, March 1851
A Letter of Guidance When Ario Pardee married his second wife, Anna Maria Robison in 1848, his domestic life became painfully stressful. His two sons from his first wife, Ario Jr. and Calvin, resented their … Read more.
Bristol Phoenix, Tuesday, June 22, 1897: Opening of a New Golf Club House
*Article from the Bristol Phoenix, Tuesday, June 22, 1897* The formal opening of the new club house of the Bristol Golf Club took place Saturday afternoon and proved to be a very pleasant occasion. The … Read more.
February at Blithewold “I Remember”
The Christmas decorations are put away for another year, and Blithewold enters a hibernation of sorts — taking a well-earned rest before the activity and commotion of preparing for another season. An icy wind is … Read more.
The Stickley Room
Newer members may think we have a new room at Blithewold – the small room across from Augustine’s on the second floor. Older members may reminisce and recognize that it is now exactly as it … Read more.
A Dog’s Life at Blithewold
This amusing article was written by our dear friend and colleague, Mary Philbrick, eleven years ago. It is as charming today as it was then! Blithewold’s Great Lawn is a perfect place for dogs to … Read more.
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