Thank you for visiting The Woman’s Club of Royersford 2020 Holiday Tour. We are pleased to present these lovely homes and businesses for your enjoyment. This has been a challenging year for everyone, and it is our hope that our tour will bring you joy this holiday season. We started the tour in 2019 as an annual fundraiser for the continued charitable giving efforts of the club. For 2020, with the hope of bringing joy to as many people as possible, we offer the virtual version without ticketing or entry fees. Considering this, we ask that, if you are able, you consider making a donation to support the club’s charitable activities. Your generosity will be greatly appreciated by our members and those in our community who benefit from the club’s activities.
The Woman’s Club of Royersford is a non-profit 501(c)(3) community service organization with the mission of supporting our local people and causes. In 2020 these activities have included holiday support for more than 25 local families, gifts and activities for local veterans, direct support to the Royersford Library, scholarships and awards for Spring-Ford School District students, and community beautification including gifts to Riverfront Park as well as the planting and upkeep of the library gardens, to name just a few.
We thank the businesses and homeowners who opened their spaces and their hearts to us this year, and we thank you for joining us.
- Woman’s Club of Royersford
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Pin Oak Hill - The Home of Elaine and Dan Meils
This tranquil setting in Berks County, Pennsylvania was once pastureland on the farm of Samuel Yocom. The Yocoms raised a family in the home directly across the road from this property and had a dairy farm business in the barn which was built in 1878. In the early 1970’s Sam’s children sold the home and in 1975 Elaine’s parents, Anne and Frank Katz, purchased the 17 acres of pasture. At the time, Frank worked for Glocker Real Estate in Royersford who had the property listed for sale. During a showing of the land, Anne accompanied Frank to the appointment, fell in love with the setting and Frank marked the property “Sold”! In 1976, Anne and Frank built a ranch home on top of the hill and moved into the home with Elaine and her brother, Bob, in the summer of 1976.
It was at this time that Elaine departed for college and started a career in Florida where she met and married Dan. During their frequent visits to Pennsylvania over the years, they enjoyed spending quiet time on the property and the surrounding area. Elaine’s mother would often say she would never sell this property just in case they wanted to retire here someday. After Elaine’s parents passed away, Elaine and Dan decided they would begin the slow process of renovating the home for their future residence. They traveled from Florida to Pennsylvania five times per year between the years of 2013-2018 to make renovations on the property and finally moved into the home in the summer of 2018.
Elaine and Dan have completely renovated the home, decorated with Americana antiques, and have made improvements to the barn. They enjoy walks and special seating areas throughout the property to watch the sunrise, sunset and gaze at the stars. They named the property “Pin Oak Hill” in honor of Elaine’s parents who enjoyed their home on the hill surrounded by the many pin oak trees which Frank planted over the years.
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The Home of Pennsylvania State Representative Joe and Pam Ciresi
The Woman’s Club of Royersford is honored to have our State Representative Joe Ciresi invite us into his home and share some of his family’s holiday traditions with us. In addition to being our representative, he is a very talented vocalist and will perform several songs of the season for us.
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Calhoun Jewelers
Listen to owner, Cathy Calhoun, as she tells you how she acquired Patriot Bank in 2000 and transformed it into this dazzling jewelry store and how she got started in the jewelry business. She will also share some rare and unique estate jewelry pieces.
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Calhoun Federal
Enjoy a private tour of the former National Bank of Spring City where Cathy once worked as a teller. In 1990, she purchased the bank and converted it into a unique home. The original bank vault, built in 1872, still remains and has been transformed into a sauna. Learn about other unique features and the history of the home and view Cathy’s collection of bank memorabilia.
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The Home of Bev and Ralph
Whoo – whoo! Railroad buffs will be thrilled to visit Santa and Mrs. Claus’s home where they vacation when not at the North Pole. Features of this home include G-Scale trains that are suspended from the ceiling, on the floor, and run in the flower bed in the summer. The second floor has a display of American Flyer trains with Plasticville. There is an operating antique railroad sign by the driveway. Throughout the house is an impressive Dicken’s collection of porcelain houses. Not to be forgotten, Santa’s puppy has her own fire hydrant. Merry Christmas, Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus
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Chester County Estate Home
This lovely 10,000-square-foot estate home was built in 1985 by a contractor as his private residence and business office. The location was originally home to Twin Hills Dairy Farm, which was located on the old carriage route to Harrisburg and west. Ms. Fullman purchased the home in 1999 and also operates her business in her residence. The home has many unique features. The solarium is built with 200-year-old timbers from a colonial barn in Chester County. The ceiling of this room is from the barn’s hayloft. There are a total of five fireplaces throughout the home, of which two are walk-in. All chandeliers in the home are made of Swarovski crystal. The dining room table is set for a nine-course dinner with holly-patterned Lenox china and Waterford crystal, and the silver pattern is Louis XVIII. The live tree in the living room is decorated with over four hundred unique German glass ornaments. The family room features over twenty Beyer carolers.
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The Home of Kemper and Brown
Keith Kemper and Dr. Janet moved into 579 Church Street with their 3 young daughters in 1996. The family has enjoyed living in the beautiful historic home for 24 years. Amazingly, only three families have lived in the home since it was constructed 118 years ago.
The house on 6th Avenue and the Boulevard, now called Church Street, was built in 1902 by I.M. Schellinger, a Mayflower descendant who moved to Royersford from Cape May, New Jersey. Mr. Schellinger was a important figure in the community where he served as president of Diamond Glass, Vice President of the Royersford Trust Company, and President of the Keystone Building and Loan Association. Additionally, he was the treasurer of the Royersford Lodge and President of Town Council. The house was designed by Gladstone Holmes, who also designed the Royersford Methodist Church. The house was built by the Bush Brothers who were reputable home builders that constructed many of the stately homes in the area. The construction took 2 years to complete, and Mr. Schellinger incorporated many of the Victorian features of the homes from Cape May. Mr. Schellinger died in 1922 and his wife Jennie remained in the home until her death in 1928.
The house sat vacant during the Great Depression and was a hang out for the local youths who used the pool table on the 3rd floor at night for parties. The flickering light from candles spurred rumors of ghosts.
The home was eventually bought by Ray E. and Elma Dobson Latshaw in 1938. Based on the dilapidated condition of the property, the Latshaws paid the remarkable price of one dollar. Mr. Latshaw passed away in 1960. Elma and her daughter Joan and granddaughter Gail made 579 Church Street their home until purchased by Kemper/Brown in 1996.
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The Home of Jim and Danielle
This stately home was built in 1930 by Clarence and Katie Rogers. The home was sold once in 1951 and then again in 1958 to Nathaniel and Margaret Gottshall. Interestingly, Margaret was the daughter of Elmer Bechtel, who owned a dairy farm where Spring-ford High School is now located. When the current owners purchased the home in 2011 from the Gottshall family, they found the home to be untouched by time with few changes having been made over the decades. With most everything being original to the home, the new owners decided to restore rather than renovate the home and stay true to the time period in which it was built.
As you tour the home, you will hear about these restorations and see several pieces of furniture that belonged to the Gottshall family and have stood in the same spot for so long that their shapes are imprinted into the hardwood floors. You will also hear about treasured family heirlooms placed throughout the home.
This is the show home of our Virtual House Tour this year and is featured on our website and flyers. It is well known and admired by those in the area and considered an unofficial landmark. It’s style is timeless and the owners hope that the loving care that they have given their home will preserve it for many generations to come.
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Graystone Ranch - The Home of Louise and Jim
Over the years, Louise had always admired this L shape stone ranch house in Royersford. It is the stone feature that adds to the charm. Meanwhile, Jim and Louise had been thinking about retiring, downsizing, and moving to Royersford to live near one of their daughters. Luckily, this house went on the market at the time Jim and Louise decided to move to a much smaller home, so they purchased it from Barbara Mitchell in the fall of 2016.
Shappel and Hampton built this ranch house for Robert Wiekel in 1955. Robert Weikel owned Weikel’s Toy and Sport Shop in Royersford for 17 years from 1956 to 1973. In addition, Mr. Weikel served as the first borough manager of Royersford for 17 years ending in 1988.
Moving from a large home to a smaller home meant making the most of the space provided. Therefore, the first renovation project Jim and Louise tackled was the kitchen, the heart of the home. After gutting the kitchen, removal of the wall that separated the kitchen and dining rooms opened the area. The original hardwood floors were refinished and added to the kitchen to create a seamless flooring from the main living area and the kitchen. Their current renovation project in the basement will create additional living space for the family gatherings. The focal point of this family area will be the gorgeous stone fireplace built using the same exterior stone. Going forward, Jim and Louise plan on renovating the two bathrooms.
Outside is a spacious backyard. When Louise talked with Tom Weikel, the son of the original owner, he shared a few fond memories of living in this home. He remembered the large back yard where he played tag, shot bows and arrows and swam in the pool. Tom also shared an unusual, vivid memory of his friends jumping off the roof and into the pool. As Tom said, “Young and dumb."
The front yard landscape needed an overhaul. New flowerbeds and a black gum tree were planted, and a tree stump removed. Eric Schneider Landscapes added Bluetooth landscape lights to highlight the stone feature at night. These Bluetooth lights may be programed to change colors and patterns. Lastly, Jim and Louise added new siding, garage door, and gutters for a maintenance free exterior in addition to a new roof.
Not knowing anything about pools, the first backyard project Jim tackled was to change the chlorinated pool water to salt water. During summer Louise and her friend Debbie started the day by swimming laps. As it turns out, owning a pool has been one of the best aspects of moving. For Jim, downsizing created the problem of storage for his vast collection of tools and equipment. Consequently, he added an extra-large cottage style shed to the backyard. Recently, when the lanai needed repairs, so with the help of his son-in-law, he replaced the lanai‘s ceiling with privacy lattice covered with a sunshade and added a ceiling fan. Jim also ran electric and strung miniature lights along the perimeter of the ceiling. As a result, their patio is an oasis for day or night, plus with the addition of a fire pit table, they enjoy it year-round.
As renovations continue, Jim and Louise have made this their forever home. The location near friends, family, and stores is ideal. Living in Royersford has been a positive transition and now their Gray Stone Ranch feels like home.
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The Home of Donna and Chuck
This charming stucco twin home was built in 1929 by Chuck’s great-uncle, Darwin Kryder. He lived there with his wife, Florence, until her passing, and then alone for 56 years until his health deteriorated. In 1985, Chuck and Donna Kryder purchased the property and have lived here ever since, raising three children. Over the years, the Kryders completely renovated the home, but kept the original charm, including high baseboards, crown molding, and pine flooring. They also added a fireplace with a custom-made mantle and surround of wood and granite. The staircase and banister was also replaced with custom iron balusters. The Kryders’ Christmas decorations placed throughout their home include family heirlooms, antique finds, and treasures made by their granddaughters. This will be the Kryders’ last Christmas in this beautiful home, as they plan to move next year.
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The Downtown Gastropub
Royersford’s newest eatery just opened this October in one of the town’s oldest buildings. This open-concept restaurant offers fresh food and drinks in an atmosphere that feels like downtown Philly or NYC while maintaining small-town charm. Downtown is located on the ground floor of the former Latshaw’s Hall, which was erected in 1880 and has a long and varied history. Of special importance to our club is that the Royersford Public Library was housed here until 1930.
The Woman’s Club of Royersford, organized in 1914 to provide financial aid to the library, first held their meetings here. Latshaw’s Hall was originally crowned with a clock tower, containing a bronze bell weighing 500 pounds, which was used to strike the hours of the day. In the early years, it was also used as a fire alarm for this part of town, until 1920, when the weights broke loose, and the bell fell through the building to the first floor. The clock was also illuminated, so it was clearly visible at night up until the 1950s. Unfortunately, the clock stopped working, and the tower was determined to be structurally unsafe. The bell was rung for the last time on December 31, 1966, to ring in the New Year. The tower was dismantled in 1970.
We would love to hear what you thought about the virtual tour. Please feel free to leave your comments below.
Thank you to our videographer and website team for helping with our virtual tour.
