Lombardy Hall facts for kids
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Lombardy Hall
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| Location | 1611 Concord Pike, Fairfax, Delaware |
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| Area | 1.5 acres (0.61 ha) |
| Built | 1750 |
| Architectural style | Georgian |
| NRHP reference No. | 72000292 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | December 05, 1972 |
| Designated NHL | December 2, 1974 |
Lombardy Hall is a special old house located at 1611 Concord Pike in Fairfax, Delaware. It was likely built around 1750. This stone house is famous because it was the home of Gunning Bedford, Jr. (1747-1812). He was an important person who helped create the U. S. Constitution. He was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention and signed this very important document. Because of its history, Lombardy Hall was named a National Historic Landmark in 1974.
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Discovering Lombardy Hall
Lombardy Hall is found north of Wilmington, Delaware, in an area called Brandywine Hundred. It sits on the east side of Concord Pike, which is also known as United States Route 202.
What Lombardy Hall Looks Like
This house is a 2-1/2 story building made of stone. It has a roof made of slate that slopes down on the sides, and brick chimneys. The front of the house has five sections, with the main door in the middle. Above the door, there is a window with four small panes of glass.
Inside, Lombardy Hall still has many of its original features. You can see the old wooden panels, fancy moldings around the ceilings, and the original staircases. The main ballroom has a beautiful fireplace mantel, which is a decorative frame around the fireplace. This style is called "Federal style."
Gunning Bedford Jr.'s Important Home
The land where Lombardy Hall stands was once much larger. Gunning Bedford, Jr. bought this property in 1785. At that time, the house was smaller, with only three sections. Bedford had it made bigger by adding the ballroom wing, which gave it its current five-section size.
Gunning Bedford, Jr. was one of Delaware's representatives at the Philadelphia Convention. This meeting was where the United States Constitution was created. During the convention, Bedford gave a powerful speech. He strongly argued that smaller states should have better representation in the new government. His speech helped lead to the idea that each state would have equal representation in the United States Senate, no matter its size.
After the convention, Bedford became a federal judge. He split his time living between Lombardy Hall and a townhouse in Wilmington.
Lombardy Hall Today
Since 1968, a local Masonic lodge has owned Lombardy Hall. The Masons are a fraternal organization. In the late 1900s, they worked to restore the house to its original look. Gunning Bedford, Jr. was actually the very first Grand Master of the Delaware Masons.
