National Register Listing

Cummins, David J., House

a.k.a. Glen Fern

E of Smyrna, Smyrna, DE

The David J. Cummins House, "Glen Fern," is a well-preserved statement of of the late-nineteenth century fascination with classical architecture and their interest in the Colonial-Revival. This house combines a small hall-parlor, eighteenth-century house with a later addition that was meant to be both modern and up-to-date, and also sympathetic to the colonial origins of the house.

Glen Fern was originally a secondary house on the property of "Belmont Hall" and during the eighteenth century was the property of Governor Thomas Collins. Upon his death, the estate was divided to provide for his heirs and John Cummins was eventually able to acquire the property. He was a wealthy merchant who was actively involved in the grain shipping business and in the development of Smyrna as a grain-shipping port. He was a large landowner and was active in political affairs. When he died in 1833, his land was divided among his heirs. George Wilson Cummins, the oldest son, was appointed administrator and took over the family business. David James Cummins was nine years old at the time. Part of his inheritance was Glen Fern.

In the early 1840's, he joined his brother George W. in the family business but retired ten years later to devote himself to agriculture and his banking interests. In 1853, the year he retired, he was appointed a director of the New Castle County Bank. He later was made a director of the National Bank of Smyrna. His interest in agriculture was manifested mainly at Glen Fern, but he was a major landowner in central Delaware. Along with his brother George, his is the most frequently listed name in the Smyrna area on the 1868 Beers' Atlas of Delaware.

Local significance of the building:
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1983.