This modernist treasure on the National Register of Historic Places was the home of scientist/inventor T. Harry Milliken and his wife Margaret, an abstract expressionist painter. One of the house's architects was John M. Dickey, who would later turn his focus to historic properties with the reconstruction of Old City Tavern, Fort Mifflin, the Walnut Street Theater and the Athenaeum. For this residence, which Dickey designed with William W. Price, Miliken was intimately involved in every aspect of the house's design, including its groundbreaking use solar heat. Much of the home's interior—including the front door, the kitchen pantry, a divider wall, stairs to second level—was crafted by famed artist Wharton Esherick, whose woodworking is so prized, two of the carved steps that led from this house's living room to its bedroom were auctioned off in 2005 for almost $3,000.
When the home was still under construction in 1949, the Chester Times called it "the latest word in modern architecture," and while it no longer feels like the latest word in architecture, it looks like a lovely place to live. Surrounded by trees on private landscaped grounds, the home has large windows—like those of Louis Kahn's Esherick House—that serve to bring nature inside. See for yourself at the upcoming open house.
Size: 4 beds, 3.5 baths, 2,237 square feet
Updates: New central air and hot water heater, newer roof
Open House: Jan. 27, 1pm-3pm
Price: $475,000
· Listing: 1 School Ln, Rose Valley, PA [Zillow]
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