Manor House Holds Open House, Looks for Opinions

entered into a last year with Robert Fair Caterers and the Manor House at . After a year of interior and exterior renovations, Robert Fair caterers held an open house on Friday evening for the community to see the house and hear about future renovations and how the space is used.

Robert Fair, owner of Robert Fair caterers, said there have been improvements to the Manor House inside and out. The next stage of the renovations include building a double vestibule to keep the main entrance to the building safe from ice on the foyer sidewalk in the winter time.

“What we have [right now] is a wind tunnel,” said Fair.

Fair showed three renderings of options for the way the addition could look. One option was all stucco, which would match the new addition of the house. The second option has some stone along the bottom and is stucco at the top, mixing the stone of the old house and the stucco of the new addition. The third option was all stone to match the original house and stucco accents, so it would match the house.

The double vestibule is phase one of a three-phase expansion project that will add a kitchen and freezer/refrigerator unit, all while maintaining the historic look to the Manor House.

Fair said by 2013, when they complete phase three, the site will be able to accommodate three weddings a weekend.

Outside the building, Robert Fair Caterers is planning on adding wall washed lighting and expanding and altering the parking lot to fit the needs of the Manor House and Prophecy Creek Park.

The parking lot will be able to accommodate a 50 seat bus for weddings and events, while still having parking available for park visitors and over flow parking for events at .

Kurt Baker, Director of Whitpain Township Parks and Recreation, said all of the plans are keeping within the Township's master plan for the park.

“This is a very impressive improvement,” said Joe Palmer, Chairman of the Whitpain Township Board of Supervisors. “[Fair] has taken this to a new level.”

Fair said, “This would not be happening if we did not have a bridge and relationship with the Board.”