1152 Sewell Lane

Rydal, PA 19046

Introducing “The Lindens”! Alfred M. Herkness purchased a large estate in 1882 and called it Cloverly Farm. Upon his death in 1898, his Son, Wayne Herkness began sub-dividing the estate. In 1905, he partnered with G. Henry Stetson (son of the famous hatmaker!) and created the real estate development company called Herkness & Stetson. Constructed in 1912, this remarkably intact residence offers a fantastic opportunity to make your own mark! Designed in the classic Tudor style with a solid masonry foundation and first floor with half-timbering and original stucco detailing the upper levels, the symmetrical facade provides perfect proportions. It has remained in one family since 1965, largely intact since it was originally constructed. One approaches the main entry under a gabled porch roof flanked by wooden benches. The original solid Oak front entry door is flanked by two sidelight windows. The entry foyer is anchored by the main staircase and one of those delightful closets that tucks itself underneath the stairs. Flanking both sides of the entry hall are the large full depth living room on the Southern side and the dining room & original butler’s pantry on the Northern side. The living room is anchored by a stone fireplace and has two sets of French doors that lead to the sun/family room with three walls of windows and access to the grounds. The butler’s pantry retains all the original cabinetry as well as a small bar sink (currently non-functioning) as well as the rear staircase. The kitchen is located in the rear ell, and remains largely original. Beyond the kitchen is a comfy breakfast room with an elevated window facing the rear yard, a larger window at the end of the table as well as the washer & dryer with a storage cabinet above. The powder room is also tucked into one corner. From this space, one exits the house to a large brick patio directly outside. Whether you ascend via the main stairs or the rear stairs, both join at a lovely landing with a large window. In the 2nd floor hall, there is a set of built-in bookshelves. The owner’s suite is in the Southeast corner of the 2nd floor. The en-suite bath is located over the entry foyer below, and one aspect that harkens back to the earlier Victorian era, the 2nd bedroom over the dining room is also connected to the Owner’s en-suite bath. Behind the Owner’s suite is a smaller guest bedroom that provides direct access to the 2nd floor sleeping porch. I can imagine the next Owner reconfiguring several of these rooms to provide for a larger en-suite bath and/or a killer walk-in closet. At the end of the hall is the 2nd full bath as well as the 4th bedroom with 3 closets and an entire wall of bookshelves. Up on the third floor, there are two spacious bedrooms tucked into the roof eaves along with a small storage room (which could make a cute home office) as well as the 3rd full bath with a stall shower. From one of the bedrooms, there is also access to a large storage attic over the rear ell. Throughout the entire home, all the crystal doorknobs remain. One of the Seller’s grandchildren calls them “diamonds on the doors”! A screened gazebo is located just off the rear patio. At the very rear of the property is the detached 2-car garage which also has two garden sheds attached to the side. A circular driveway wraps around the remaining, original Linden tree for which the house was named. While you feel like you are in the country, you actually can walk to the Rydal SEPTA station or the Whole Foods just a couple more blocks away. Just around the corner from Whole Foods is Trader Joe’s. You are less than 2 miles to downtown Jenkintown that has numerous restaurants and shops along with the historical Hiway Theater. For commuting, one can access either I-95, the PA Turnpike or Route 309 in 15 minutes. This classic home has had one Steward for 56 years, will you be the one to create another generation of m