Andalusia (estate)

Andalusia

Andalusia in 1976
Location 1237 State Road, Andalusia, Pennsylvania
Nearest city Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Coordinates 40°3′43″N 74°57′30″W / 40.06194°N 74.95833°W / 40.06194; -74.95833Coordinates: 40°3′43″N 74°57′30″W / 40.06194°N 74.95833°W / 40.06194; -74.95833
Area 225 acres (91 ha)
Built 1794
Architect Benjamin Latrobe, Thomas U. Walter
Architectural style Other, Colonial Revival, Greek Revival
NRHP Reference # 66000649[1]
Significant dates
Added to NRHP November 13, 1966
Designated NHL November 13, 1966[2]
Designated PHMC November 01, 2001[3]

Andalusia, also known as the Nicholas Biddle Estate, is a historic mansion and estate located on the Delaware River, just north of Philadelphia, in Bensalem Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. The community surrounding it, Andalusia, takes its name from the 225-acre estate.

History

Andalusia (circa 1834), watercolor by Thomas U. Walter. This shows Latrobe's alterations from 1806.

The original house was built in 1794 by John Craig, who named it after the Andalusia region of Spain. Craig hired architect Benjamin Latrobe to expand the house in 1806 in a Greek Revival style. In 1811, Craig's daughter Jane married prominent financier Nicholas Biddle (1786–1844). Biddle and architect Thomas U. Walter expanded the house into a mansion in 1834–36. Walter is best known for his design for the dome of the United States Capitol.

Their most dramatic addition was a two-and-a-half-story wing, surrounded on three sides by massive Doric columns, that thrust southward toward the river. This contained twin parlors on the main floor, divided by pocket doors that could be opened to create a single room. The wing ended in a portico, one that has become an icon of Greek Revival architecture. Across the north façade, a two-story block of new rooms created a grand entrance and service spaces. Some of Latrobe's 1806 spaces were retained in the 1830s alterations, including twin rooms with semi-octagonal ends.

Notable Biddle family members include Nicholas's brother Commodore James Biddle (1783–1848), son Congressman Charles John Biddle (1819–1873), great-grandson and aviator Charles John Biddle (1890–1972), and great-great-grandson and National Trust for Historic Preservation president James "Jimmy" Biddle (1929–2005). The property remains in the Biddle family.

The house was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1966.[2][4] According to the National Park Service, "Andalusia is one of the earliest and most pristine examples of the Greek Revival style in the country."[2] Today it is operated as a house museum.

References

  1. ↑ National Park Service (2010-07-09). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.
  2. 1 2 3 "Andalusia". National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. Retrieved 2007-11-09.
  3. ↑ "PHMC Historical Markers". Historical Marker Database. Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission. Retrieved December 19, 2013.
  4. ↑ S. S. Bradford (October 31, 1973). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: Andalusia" (pdf). National Park Service. and Accompanying 4 photos, exterior, from 1966 and undated. (1.04 MB)
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