I think it was said that Walter had this house custom built by Brother Wilt who was in the building business. My dad, being a perfectionist, was not keen on the workmanship, but for me and David, this house was a mansion of the first kind. We visited Brother Long several times with my dad before he passed away and each visit was an high day. When you came seeking to visit you passed by a placid white Burch and under the massive twin towering locust trees, ascended the several steps of the spacious, well shaded front porch and there you were given welcome as the massive, paned glass front door swung open with Brother Long beckoning: "come in". You entered his parlor which was permeated by a gentle solemnity: somewhat austere seating furniture, fine cases of wood and glass, very decorative, carefully trimmed, and artistic in arrangement. Off to the left side of the parlor was a small sitting room which you sensed was that of a practitioner such as a clergyman. It was obvious that Brother Long was also Elder Long and that this house was a house of prayer and Godly ministry. For this reason, it was not too difficult to sit still and remain quiet while he and dad conversed. We would muse about in institution like thoughtfulness and quietly observe the many, many articles of souvenir and art that had been assembled over the years by gifts from missionaries on furlough or personally through his own travels abroad.
The Front Porch Steps
This front porch was a marvelous resource. It had walls that could be for fortification during an Indian attack. It had pillars that a pioneer could cling to and hide behind and shoot around. There were rocking chairs, "porch rockers", old and green and crackled paint kind. And there was a swing, the kind that hung from chains secured to those neat, narrow porch ceiling boards. (4/15/98, PEM) |
Side of the Front Porch
There were chipmunks that lived under the porch. They came out of the little "missing 1/3 brick" ventilation holes on the side wall. The squarish openings were in the shape of a cross. One of the four had the screen wire poked out and that is the one the chipmunk went in and out of. The chip monk would come to meet me every so often and I would give him a nut. "Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed." |
Garage and Car
This is the garage that served many a purpose. The last of which was a body shop where David built a sports car out of Epoxy. |
The Rear: Yard and Garage
This is in the back yard, the garage is in the background with the trellis standing above the flower bed. I remember reflecting, how interesting to have a permanent "ladder" to climb up on to the roof of the garage. I tried climbing it but it was awfully shaky at about half way up. |
The Rear Yard
This is the rear yard of Brother Long's house. Normally this would be a lawn with peripheral flower beds but this year it is put in corn. Recall that, "When Walter S. Long first came to Pennsylvania he was not in the ministry, but was engaged in peach culture." (5/18/98, PEM). Note the boardwalk. This rear yard is about 30 feet in depth and 70 feet in width extending from the rear of the garage to the side boundry of Imler's.(8/2/98, PEM) You can see Mummert's house in the background on Morningside Avenue. This is before any houses were built on the East side of Morningside. |
The Rear Gable and Back Porch
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The Porch Steps at Wordsworth Avenue
Some Guests at 308 Wordsworth Avenue
Wordsworth Avenue and Halleck Place
My dad and Walter c.1950 Alice and Walter
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