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2 The James-Lorah House
132 North Main Street This plot of land was the original site of the Zerick Titus Harness and Saddle Shop. The land was sold to Abraham Chapman who gave it to his son Henry and had the building demolished. This home was built in 1844 by Judge Henry Chapman, the grandfather of the famous Henry Mercer. He owned and lived in the house until 1869 when he sold it to Dr. Oliver James for $10,000. The doctor, his wife, his son, and his two daughters lived there until he and his wife died in 1894. After that, his daughter, Sarah, who had married the Reverend Doctor George Lorah, and her sister Martha used the home as a summer vacation house. Sarah was a charter member of the VIA from its organization in 1895 and so when she died in June of 1954 she willed the deed to the VIA. The building is now open to the public for tours. The house exhibits three main architectural styles including the Federal style, the Greek Revival style, and the Italianate style. The earlier Federal style can be found in the flat front elevation, symmetrical shape of the main structure, the connected double chimneys, and the fanlight found atop the side entrance door. The Greek Revival style is seen in the small third floor "eyebrow" windows (named this for their positioning above the other windows as an eybrow is to an eye). The Italianate style is evident in the window hood moldings found over top of the first, second, and third floor windows. Go to the Table of Contents of the Tour
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