OLDEST -- Residence - Collingswood, PA
N 39° 54.485 W 075° 05.259
18S E 492508 N 4417559
According to the 1939 American Guide Series and the local Historical Society, this structure is the oldest private residence in Collingswood. At 255 years old, it is a curious relic in an otherwise modern neighborhood.
Waymark Code: WM7NYX
Location: New Jersey, United States
Date Posted: 11/15/2009
Views: 5
This is a very old and interesting NRHP house tucked away in suburban Collingswood. If you can ignore the garage addition and the west addition you can easily make out the original structure, quite typical of mid 18th century Colonial architecture.
High atop the eastern end, and tucked under the A-roof, is the homeowner's initials, IMT and the date beneath, 1754. There is a spacious backyard and the town's water tower overlooks this 1700's leftover. It boggles the mind this house still exists. Everything around this house was built at least 175 years after this house was raised. One of the really nice features of this house are the multiple chimney's which surround the edges. I counted three in all.
A neighbor was in the driveway when I visited. He told me the inside of this house has a very huge and high roof. The fire places are still functional and all in all the house in its interior is very well-preserved.
I was able to locate a listing for this place in the American Guide Series. Here is what they have to say
"Also on Eldridge Ave. is the Thackara House (open after 3:30 daily; free), oldest residence in Collingswood, erected 1754 by Isaac and Mary Thackara and now used by the Boy Scouts. The house bears the Thackaras' initials, built into the brickwork of the gable. Much of the interior is unchanged." --- New Jersey, a Guide to Its Present and Past, 1939; page 601-602