Historic William Price Rose Valley arts and crafts estate to be developed by Chip Vaughn/Vaughn & Sons. Development hearing Monday, May 2nd at 7:30 pm. at the “Old Mill” at 9 Old Mill Lane in Rose Valley, Delaware County, Pa.

Historic William Lightfoot Price’s (late 19th, early 20th cen. architect) Rose Valley Arts and Craft estate known as “Schoenhaus”or “Schoen-Saul Estate,” located at 45 Rose Valley Rd. across from the Hedgerow theater, was purchased by Vaughn & Sons in February for a development. ( mls # is 4404069). The listing agent did not market the property properly so that it would be sold intact. (i.e. no photos or virual tour on the MLS, no website, no brochures). She was in with the developer and got the full commission (buyers agent commission was 2% which equals 100 grand in addition to the listing commission).

An old photo of the Estate is pictured on the following site beneath Traymore: http://www.rosevalleymuseum.org/architecture.html I also uploaded some photos online.

This unique and irreplaceable property is a quickly vanishing species in the Delaware Valley. It boasts 26 acres, 6 remarkable and irreplaceable stone buildings, in ground pool with stone arches, greenhouse, pergola, peg barn and fairy tale water tower. Hopefully the developer will be sympathetic to the unique and historic nature of this property. Details on the development will be shown to the public at this Monday’s meeting.

Read up on the unique and now vanishing legacy of Rose Valley:
http://www.rosevalleymuseum.org/history.html
http://w1.igateway.com/clients1/rosevalley/history.htm
History of Estate: see “The Schoen-Saul House and Its Role in William L. Price’s Rose Valley Community” by
Rebecca Hunt in Historic Preservation, (now called Preservation) 525, May 1992.

On architect William Price see http://www.greatbuildings.com/architects/William_Price.html or George Thomas’ magnificent book “Arts and Crafts to Modern Design: William L. Price”

There is talk of demolition of at least one of the outlying cottages on the property and a contractor that I use was contacted about historcal salvage work on the property. It doesn't look good. Price would be rolling over in his grave if he knew that his precious Rose Valley community put the almighty dollar above the ideals, culture and architecture that he so painstakingly sought to keep intact.

http://www.pookandpook.com/catalogs/merch.php/ enter the words "saul estate" into there search engine for the May 14th 2005 auction. A bit of Rose Valley history is on the block.

So what exactly is being done here to fight for or protect this property? Is there an organized local effort? I have worked both sides of the fence in the environmental field - government and now consulting. The only way to get the politicians and agencies to listen is to be organized, be informed, and be knowledgable about the regulations and laws that apply. You can only win the game if you know the rules and how to play. Good luck to all involved; it is a stunning property that feeds the soul, but don't use this as the argument for it's salvation - use your head not your heart. My 2 pennies.