New Castle in New Castle County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Read House & Gardens
Delaware Historical Society
Photographed By Bill Pfingsten, April 9, 2012
1. Read House & Gardens Marker
Inscription.
Read House and Gardens. Delaware Historical Society. In 1797 the foundation of George Read II's mansion was laid only feet from his statesman father's home on a busy New Castle street. By 1805 the stylish Federal period house towered over its neighbors. A fire claimed the home of George Read I, as well as most of the buildings on the southern end of the block, in 1824. Townspeople rebuilt, but the two lots in front of you remained open. George Read II owned both lots in 1833 as well as the open river lot behind you.
Immediately after purchasing the house in 1846, second owner William Couper and his family added a formal garden that stretched back to Second Street. He and his family also purchased the lot to the north of the Read House. In the early 1900s third owners Philip and Lydia Laird laid brick sidewalks throughout the garden and erected brick walls to unify their property with the streetscape.
In 1797 the foundation of George Read II's mansion was laid only feet from his statesman father's home on a busy New Castle street. By 1805 the stylish Federal period house towered over its neighbors. A fire claimed the home of George Read I, as well as most of the buildings on the southern end of the block, in 1824. Townspeople rebuilt, but the two lots in front of you remained open. George Read II owned both lots in 1833 as well as the open river lot behind you.
Immediately after purchasing the house in 1846, second owner William Couper and his family added a formal garden that stretched back to Second Street. He and his family also purchased the lot to the north of the Read House. In the early 1900s third owners Philip and Lydia Laird laid brick sidewalks throughout the garden and erected brick walls to unify their property with the streetscape.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Places. A significant historical year for this entry is 1797.
Location. 39° 39.572′ N, 75° 33.697′ W. Marker is in New Castle, Delaware, in New Castle County. Marker is on The Strand. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: New Castle DE 19720, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Marker can be seen along the wall. It is the second marker from the left.
Photographed By Bill Pfingsten, April 9, 2012
3. George Read II House
Gardens are to the left of the house.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 21, 2022. It was originally submitted on April 21, 2012, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 719 times since then and 20 times this year. Last updated on April 21, 2012, by Keith S Smith of West Chester, Pennsylvania. Photos:1. submitted on April 21, 2012, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. 2. submitted on February 2, 2022, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. 3. submitted on April 21, 2012, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.
