In
1682, Valentine Hollingsworth
traveled to the New World with
William Penn. His family
continued to seek new
frontiers, sometimes with
tragic results. His son,
Thomas, was killed by a
wounded buffalo while
exploring the wilderness. But
the third generation
established a homestead that
is still associated with the
Hollingsworths.
When Abram Hollingsworth came
upon the Shawnees camped
beside a natural spring he
declared the site "a delight
to behold." He purchased 582
acres from the Native
Americans for a cow, a calf
and a piece of red cloth.
Abram built a log cabin beside
the spring and, later, the
area's first grist mill. The
family prospered and added a
flour mill and then a flax
seed-oil mill.
In 1754, Abram's son Isaac
built a two-story limestone
house. It's the oldest now in
Winchester, having survived in
part because of its 2 1/2-foot
thick walls. A wing was added
in 1800 by Jonah
Hollingsworth, who needed
extra room for his 15
children. The house was
"modernized" in 1830 in the
Federal style. By 1943, when
Abram's Delight was
purchased by the city, it was
in ruins. Restoration was
undertaken by the
Winchester-Frederick County
Historical Society and upon
completion, it was furnished
and opened as a house museum.
Jonah's daughter Mary was the
last Hollingsworth to live in
the house. It seemed to be
filled with more than memories
for her. She spoke of hearing
people singing and playing the
piano in her empty home. Some
of the family pieces that
augment the 18th-century
furnishings are an oil
painting done by Mary and
several Quaker quilts.
There is an herb garden and a
formal boxwood garden outside
the house. You'll also see a
log cabin on the grounds of
the same type Abram first
built. You can visit Abram's
Delight Monday through
Saturday 10:00 A.M. to 4:00
P.M. and on Sunday from NOON
to 4:00 P.M. from April
through October and by
appointment off-season.
Admission is charged.