Some homes are simply built with more care, and this New Freedom Borough home is one of them. Step in from the shingled front porch, through a front door framed by transom windows and sidelights, and you are greeted by rich American chestnut woodwork that sets the tone for the entire house.
The chestnut staircase descends from the second floor into a spacious, welcoming foyer lit by stained glass windows, and that same warm woodwork carries through room after room. In the living room, an original chestnut colonnade frames the space. This architectural detail, a signature of historic homes, pairs square columns with glass-front built-in cabinets below.
A wood-burning brick fireplace sits between two original stained-glass windows. Hardwood floors with inlaid borders run throughout the main level. The kitchen offers an island, a gas stove, and a classic built-in chestnut cupboard with paneled doors and generous shelving.
An addition at the back of the home, with its own full bath, works well as a family room and could easily serve as a first-floor guest or in-law suite. Upstairs, each bedroom has its own character. The primary bedroom is filled with a curved wall of windows, and another bedroom holds a little surprise: a hidden screened porch tucked away on the second floor, overlooking the gardens below.
It is the kind of spot you will find yourself returning to with a book and a cup of coffee. Climb to the third floor and you will find a bonus room with built-in cabinetry and several windows that look out over the rooftops and treetops of New Freedom.
It is ready to become a fifth bedroom, office, playroom, game room, or hobby space. Windows throughout the home open for a lovely cross breeze. For a home of this age, there are a surprising number of closets, and the basement adds even more storage. Outside, the .36 acre lot is large for the borough, and the owners have invested generously in it.
Mature trees, layered plantings, and seasonal color create privacy and a true garden feeling in the backyard. A dedicated mulch play area has hosted plenty of tetherball and badminton games, and an oversized one car garage sits in the back corner of the property.
Then there is the central location. From here you can walk to the restaurants, breweries, coffee shops, and bakery that make New Freedom such a lively small town, along with community favorites like the Northern Central Railway train rides, parades, live music, outdoor movies, the carnival, Fall Fest, the car shows, and Smoke on the Rails.
The Heritage Rail Trail and the town parks are also a short walk or bike ride away. Homes with this kind of craftsmanship, this much yard, and this kind of walkability rarely come together. Come see it for yourself.
