Golden Mine
W of Milford on DE 443, Milford, DEGolden Mine is significant, both architecturally and historically. of primary importance is its architectural distinctiveness. There are few middle-class country houses in Delaware which still possess the quality of interior architectural detailing that is found in Golden Mine. Generations of owners have done little to detract from its character. Outstanding features include the double winding staircase and the fully pane led, single-board partition. Exposed structural members are found on both the first and second floors. The parlor has a large open hearth and an elegant butterly cupboard.
Historically, it is uncertain whether Golden Mine was built before or after 1763. Architectural features in the older part of the house indicate that construction might have been before this date. In that case, the house would have been built by a tenant on land owned by an absentee landlord. Therefore, it would provide a rare example of a house built by the landless class which is still in a good state of preservation.
Furthermore, the Golden Mine tract of about 800 acres is typical of the speculative holdings that characterize colonial Delaware. It was owned by members of the Barbadian, London, and Pennsylvania land companies from 1686 until 1763. Such speculation in large parcels had a profound effect on the development of the frontier. In 1763, the Pennsylvania Land Company divided the 500 acres into farms of 140 acres, 325 acres, 165.25 acres, and 126 acres. Since a mill had already been built adjacent to the tract in 1747, it is evident that nearby lands were already being farmed.
Throughout its history, Golden Mine has served as the plantation house for one of the farms carved from the original Golden Mine tract. After the 1763 division of Golden Mine the owner of the property, William Tharp, occupied the house. At sometime before 1780, the house was expanded to its present size.
Thus it can be seen that, despite the divisions of the tract itself and its successive owners through time, the structure has remained a fine example of an architectural style.
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1978.
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.