Windsor Forge

The trip required taking the train from their home in Lancaster to the station at Churchtown Road in Caernarvon Township, followed by a carriage ride over the Welsh Mountains to Windsor Forge.

Blanche Nevin, an artist, a poet, and a world traveler, acquired the mansion in 1899. She was the granddaughter of Robert Jenkins, a previous owner and ironmaster of Windsor Forge. She is considered America's first noteworthy woman sculptor.

Mr. Diffenderfer documented his trip to Windsor Forge with ample photographs he collected into an album that was later donated to the Lancaster County Historical Society. The photos give a rare peek into her home and the fun had by all on that lovely, long weekend in June of 1902.

In this photo, Blanche Nevin, seated fourth from left, poses for a group photo with the Diffenderfers, the Fondersmiths, the Slaymakers, and friends on the lawn of Windsor Forge. Frank Reid Diffenderfer is standing seventh from right.

Identified by Mr. Diffenderfer as “Miss Nevin and her pets,” Blanche Nevin, with some assistance, leads a few horses to drink in the Conestoga Creek near Windsor Forge.

Ida M. Slaymaker Fondersmith, daughter of Robert and Leah Slaymaker, and neighbor of the Diffenderfer family, stands on the porch added to Windsor Forge shortly after Miss Nevin’s purchase of the home in 1899.

The forge was established around 1725 and the mansion was built in sections. The eastern part was built c. 1742, followed by the western section around 1765 with a middle connecting section completed in 1815.

A view of the stairs and entrance to Windsor Forge, identified as “Windsor Hall” by Mr. Diffenderfer, shows a few furniture pieces and décor no doubt gathered during Blanche Nevin’s many interesting travels.

A view into the formal parlor of Windsor Forge mansion is seen here from the entrance hallway. Visible is a built-in corner cabinet original to the mansion. Not visible is the parlor’s fireplace with slate surround.

“Miss Nevin’s Boudoir," as Mr. Diffenderfer termed it, gives us a peak into her private master bedroom.

Outfitted with a four-post double bed with a canopy, a sideboard with wash basin and fresh linens, the “Windsor Forge guest chamber," as Mr. Diffenderfer called it, had all the comforts of home. Not pictured is the corner fireplace.

One of Blanche Nevin’s most recognizable works of art is the famous “Lion in the Park” – the fountain at Reservoir Park in Lancaster. Seen here in progress, the Lion awaits completion on the lawn of Windsor Forge.

Frank Diffenderfer describes this humble single story dwelling as a “Windsor Forge tenant house" – built in 1735 for the laborers at the forge. This was the last such house standing when this photograph was taken in 1902. It has since been demolished.

In 1913, Blanche Nevin deeded the property to her nephew John Nevin Sayre. The grounds have three sculptures executed by Nevin: two lions sitting on their hind quarters and a large statue of the Buddha.