New Hope Historical Society 45 South Main Street, New Hope, PA 18938

"Just a nice place to visit."

"November 18, 2018 To: The New Hope Historical Society RE: Being a Docent at the Parry Mansion Today was my last tour duty as a docent at the Parry Mansion and I wanted to say thank you. Three years ago when I began, it was a daunting AND exciting job – learning about all the elements of the house, the family, the town, the time and the changes from 1784 to 1966. But as I progressed over the years, I found new things to add, to refine, to illuminate, as the house and the history seeped into my skin and soul. All in all, I’ve come to love the Parry Family, especially Ben, for how he lived, how he approached life in New Hope, how he never-endingly strove to improve life not only for himself but for the people of this town that rightly bears the name of his rebuilt mill. Ben Parry stands the test of time as a model of how an entrepreneur who truly loved this town would act in its best accord. I have to thank the Historical Society of 1958 for persevering in the purchase and restoration of the mansion. It is still incomprehensible how they came up with not only the money to purchase but then to restore and decorate in the five different styles. I can report that the visitors love the diversity. I often nudge them into discovering which style most suits them. They are also often amazed that we allow them into all of the rooms. Once a docent from a Delaware house museum came through and thanked me for giving her a new way to present her tours. “I never thought about incorporating the objects in the room into the story.” And when a group of docents from various PA houses came through, they were highly complementary: “Best tour we’ve ever been through” (I believe it was with Chris) I have most loved the young people who came through, the ones who love history, or discover they love history because of the engaging story of the Parry Family and Mansion. To see their eyes take in the elements of the house with wonder, curiosity, surprise, concern and delight is a joy tenfold. I love making the crowd laugh every time when talking about the barometer as an Icon to human ingenuity . . . “which I hope we still have when the internet goes down.” I love explaining about the Quakers and their amazing business network and their belief that God speaks to every single person, directly. Perhaps that was the secret to Ben’s caring about everything in this town . . . seeing God in every being. If you ever make changes to the house, I would suggest making the late Victorian bedroom into the first bathroom of the house (1938), as it would then represent the whole family, as they lived into the 20th century. But beyond that, I have only hugs and compliments for all the work you do to protect and share this history and house with the public. It’s not only marvelous; it’s a precious gift to our future, reminding us of how we once lived and why it matters. So thank you for the opportunity to be part of a most special endeavor. It suited my personality and interests to a T. I shall miss it. Wishing you all a fond adieu and fare well but not good-bye, for we shall surely meet again."

"We were visiting for Winterfest and were asked to leave the Parry house and were treated rudely by two staff members. Definitely not a good representation of New Hope"