History
"Melmar" was built in 1910 on the expansive Lippincott family estate in Bethayres (now Huntingdon Valley), Pa, and was originally used as a country home by Joshua Bertram Lippincott and his wife Joanna Wharton Lippincott, who also owned estates in center city Philadelphia, and Jamestown, Newport, R.I. Bertram was the son of the founder of Publisher J.B. Lippincott & Co, Joshua Ballinger Lippincott. Joanna was the daughter of the founder of The University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business and Bethlehem Steel, Joseph Wharton.
Excerpt from Nicholas Biddle's Personal Memoirs - 1975
Keystone at the East roof peak with J. Bertram Lippincott initials and date
Leaded Glass Lippincott Coat of Arms in the Grand Stairway
Upon J. Bertram Lippincott's death in 1940, his daughter Sarah Wharton Lippincott Biddle, and her husband Brigadier General Nicholas Biddle inherited the Melmar Mansion along with 47 acres of the original ~180-acre Lippincott estate with the rest of divided among Sarah's siblings. Nick and Sarah eventually purchased another 23 acres of land from Sarah's siblings and neighboring properties resulting in the Melmar estate eventually totaling 70 acres
Excerpt from Nicholas Biddle's Personal Memoirs - 1975
In 1941, Nicholas and Sarah moved from their prior estate in Jenkintown, Pa known as "Springhead", with "Melmar" becoming their primary residence when not at their summer estate, "Gulls Nest" in Jamestown, Newport, R.I.
"Melmar" in 1962 upon Sarah Biddle's death
Biddle family at "Melmar" from the July 1976 issue of Town & Country magazine
"Melmar" in 1980 after Nicholas Biddle's death
Sarah Biddle died at Melmar in 1962, and upon Nicholas Biddle's death in 1977, the property was sold to Toll Brothers in 1980 and developed into an upscale subdivision named "Biddle Estates". Bruce Toll, one of the original founders of Toll Brothers still lives ~3 miles away from Melmar.
Although the majority of the estate was used to construct new homes, the developers preserved the "Melmar Mansion" on its own 3.7-acre parcel as a standalone property. The Melmar Mansion lot was later subdivided to its current 2.1 acres.
Melmar History: The "Columns"
The four magnificent fluted Greek Ionic Columns at the grand entrance of "Melmar" were originally part of the entrance to Joanna Wharton Lippincott's prior home, the "Oak Hill" mansion. "Oak Hill" was given to J. Bertram Lippincott and Joanna Wharton Lippincott as a wedding gift by Joanna's father Joseph Wharton, the founder of the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business and Bethlehem Steel. The Columns were relocated from "Oak Hill" in 1910 when Bert and Joanna built a new mansion on the Lippincott estate in Bethayres, Pa named "Melmar"
Excerpt from Nicholas Biddle's Personal Memoirs - 1975
The Columns were originally at the entrance to "Oak Hill"
The Lippincott's relocated the Columns when they moved from "Oak Hill" to "Melmar" in 1910
Melmar History: The Ancient Roman "Pergola"
The Italian Marble Pergola in the rear gardens at "Melmar" was originally imported by Joanna Wharton Lippincott's father Joseph Wharton to his Philadelphia mansion, "Ontalauna" from Rome where is it said to have been used by Roman Senators!
Excerpt from Nicholas Biddle's Personal Memoirs - 1975
Joseph Wharton imported the Pergola to his "Ontalauna"​ mansion
Joseph Wharton's Philadelphia mansion, "Ontalauna" ^
Joseph Wharton's granddaughter (Sarah Biddle's cousin), Catharine Wharton Morris Wright's depiction of the Pergola while it was still at Ontalauna in her 1920 painting "The Pergola, Ontalauna"
The Pergola was eventually relocated to "Melmar" after Wharton's death
Top right - The Pergola at Melmar circa 1959
Bottom right - Nicholas & Sarah's grandchildren on The Pergola "patio" portion at Melmar circa 1962​​
Top left - As it looked at Ontalauna prior to relocation
Bottom left - The Pergola "patio" portion at Melmar circa 1962​​
The Pergola as it looks today at "Melmar"
^ Rear view of dry laid stone retaining wall
< Italian Marble footers, railings, balusters, pillars, and floor tile​
Historical Marker displayed in the entry of "Melmar"