Lesley-Travers Mansion, Gothic Revival mansion in New Castle, Delaware.
The Lesley-Travers Mansion is a two-story brick structure with five bays, multiple wings, and a prominent five-story tower topped by a slate-covered roof. The interior retains original features such as speaking tubes, servants' bells, and a central heating system, along with a three-part oak stairway and three major rooms accessed directly from the entrance hall.
The mansion was designed in 1855 by Baltimore architects Thomas and James Dixon for Dr. Allen Voorhees Lesley and built by Augustin Van Kirk from Salem, New Jersey. This Gothic Revival structure emerged during a period when affluent families sought new, more expressive architectural styles.
The mansion displays architectural choices from an era when residential design shifted away from the Georgian and Federal styles that dominate New Castle's other homes. This Gothic Revival approach reflects artistic tastes that visitors can observe in the building's window designs, doorways, and exterior details.
The mansion sits in an established residential area of the city and is easily reached on foot from downtown. The substantial grounds with multiple wings mean that the exterior requires time to explore fully, particularly if you want to appreciate the tower details and brick construction.
The mansion was built by craftsmen from New Jersey rather than local builders, which was unusual for the time. This choice brought construction techniques and materials that differed from local traditions.
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