Bush House continues a long journey of welcoming guests
BARB BARRETT/The Luminary The Bush House in Muncy Township is now available for weddings and corporate functions. The home was originally built in the mid 1800s and boasts many unique features both inside and outside. The home is currently owned by the Alvin R. Bush family and co-managed by Hillside Catering.
MUNCY – With a long gleaming history, the Bush House in Muncy Township has taken on a new life. Inspired by its owner, Charlie Bush and a fellow entrepreneur and caterer, David Miele established the 8 acre mansion as a venue for parties, weddings, corporate entertainment, dinners, and meetings.
Originally part of the Samuel Wallis estate in the mid 1800’s, it became the home of Margaret Jewett Hall who in 1867 added more square footage to the property, a large hall and two big rooms. It was only a small two story house when it was built in the 1840s according to Bush.
In 1912 the George Stearns family purchased the home and used it in the summer time. Therefore they built two large porches, and a barn to accomodate the horse and buggy they used to get back and forth to Williamsport.
A well known socialite from Olean, New York became the next owner and would entertain guests from Europe, New York and Philadelphia. She was influential for her interior design and did work for the governor’s mansion as revealed by Bush during an interview with The Luminary. Her name was Louise Frachot and she married a local, prominent attorney, Ed Munson.
“She did beautiful work to the home,” he said. She added elite wallpaper panels, marble floors, hand carved mahogany pillars, walnut stairs. “She knew the curators and went to their warehouses,” said Bush. “In the powder room is Marie Antoinette’s original boudoir brought back from France.” A 3 story free standing spiral staircase is also appealing, and only 3 others are like this in the world. “At the time, it was thought to be architecturally impossible.” A bedroom became a “ship room” for a small child with a desk intact that came from Admiral Nelson’s fleet in Britain during the Battle of Trafalgar. Origingal wall paper can be seen in the dining room.
One of the dining rooms at the Bush House is set up for a corporate luncheon.
Bush explained that a lot of the home’s history was recorded with the house, and original blueprits and work logs were discovered in the desk drawer in the upstairs ship room. Louise Munson also built two cottages on the property that were used as guest houses and possibly for staff. She named it the “Wyno Farm” and technically it is still named as such as it is recorded in “Homes and Heritage” a historical compilation of old homes and mansions in Lycoming County. It means “welcome, hello, or good luck” and its origin is native American. “The house is now referred to as ‘The Bush House’.”
After Mr. Munson passed away, in the mid 1920s, the 325 acre farm was purchased by Dr. Roy Simon who turned it into a home for very sick children suffering from tuberculosis and polio. He added a pool and started to build a great room, but in the process went bankrupt. The mansion remained vacant until 1945 when Alvin R. Bush, Charlie’s grandfather, became the owner. “There was nothing here at the time, but a barn and the house,” said Charlie referring to all the growth around him such as the mall and Grizzly Imports.
Al Bush was attracted to the trees and the aesthetic countryside. “He fell in love with the place,” Charlie Bush reflected. “He spent 14 years here, and in 1950 he became Congressman.” Lots of political dignitaries spent time here, probably sitting in these very rooms making decisions. There were many parties, social events and picnics. He served from 1951 to 1959
Charlie said his father moved into the home after World War II and he grew up with his brother and sisters. Horses and cattle were the way of life. There were no highways.
Charlie said his parents lived in the estate for awhile but had to downsize and moved to a smaller home in Williamsport.
Eventually the stables were torn down and now Target department store is located there. The main property remained vacant for about 8 years until two years ago when it was decided to transform the place into a desirable venue for just about any social gathering. “It became a private family corporation,” Charlie said, “under the Bush name.”
Now the events and parties can take place again as a catering venue from David Miele of Hillside Catering who has exclusive preparations for the food. After some extensive research, the decision to explore the idea got a tremendous response from the public. The first event was a wedding expo held last June. Since then, there have been several dinner meetings, a mystery dinner, corporate staff parties, a chamber exchange, birthday parties, and rehearsal dinners. Weddings are a major attraction and will feature a honeymoon suite which is in the renovation process as well completing 5 guest rooms upstairs with private baths.
Carmen Bush, Charlie’s wife who is a master gardener, completed much of the landscaping adding flowers and covers for the grounds so that it is appealing all year long. “We are doing the right thing for the property, and bringing it back to its great splendor,” said the couple.
For more information or to make a reservation for “the Bush House“, call 570-368-8880 or wynofarms209@windstream.net.
- One of the dining rooms at the Bush House is set up for a corporate luncheon.
Bush House continues a long journey of welcoming guests
BARB BARRETT/The Luminary The Bush House in Muncy Township is now available for weddings and corporate functions. The home was originally built in the mid 1800s and boasts many unique features both inside and outside. The home is currently owned by the Alvin R. Bush family and co-managed by Hillside Catering.
MUNCY – With a long gleaming history, the Bush House in Muncy Township has taken on a new life. Inspired by its owner, Charlie Bush and a fellow entrepreneur and caterer, David Miele established the 8 acre mansion as a venue for parties, weddings, corporate entertainment, dinners, and meetings.
Originally part of the Samuel Wallis estate in the mid 1800’s, it became the home of Margaret Jewett Hall who in 1867 added more square footage to the property, a large hall and two big rooms. It was only a small two story house when it was built in the 1840s according to Bush.
In 1912 the George Stearns family purchased the home and used it in the summer time. Therefore they built two large porches, and a barn to accomodate the horse and buggy they used to get back and forth to Williamsport.
A well known socialite from Olean, New York became the next owner and would entertain guests from Europe, New York and Philadelphia. She was influential for her interior design and did work for the governor’s mansion as revealed by Bush during an interview with The Luminary. Her name was Louise Frachot and she married a local, prominent attorney, Ed Munson.
“She did beautiful work to the home,” he said. She added elite wallpaper panels, marble floors, hand carved mahogany pillars, walnut stairs. “She knew the curators and went to their warehouses,” said Bush. “In the powder room is Marie Antoinette’s original boudoir brought back from France.” A 3 story free standing spiral staircase is also appealing, and only 3 others are like this in the world. “At the time, it was thought to be architecturally impossible.” A bedroom became a “ship room” for a small child with a desk intact that came from Admiral Nelson’s fleet in Britain during the Battle of Trafalgar. Origingal wall paper can be seen in the dining room.
One of the dining rooms at the Bush House is set up for a corporate luncheon.
Bush explained that a lot of the home’s history was recorded with the house, and original blueprits and work logs were discovered in the desk drawer in the upstairs ship room. Louise Munson also built two cottages on the property that were used as guest houses and possibly for staff. She named it the “Wyno Farm” and technically it is still named as such as it is recorded in “Homes and Heritage” a historical compilation of old homes and mansions in Lycoming County. It means “welcome, hello, or good luck” and its origin is native American. “The house is now referred to as ‘The Bush House’.”
After Mr. Munson passed away, in the mid 1920s, the 325 acre farm was purchased by Dr. Roy Simon who turned it into a home for very sick children suffering from tuberculosis and polio. He added a pool and started to build a great room, but in the process went bankrupt. The mansion remained vacant until 1945 when Alvin R. Bush, Charlie’s grandfather, became the owner. “There was nothing here at the time, but a barn and the house,” said Charlie referring to all the growth around him such as the mall and Grizzly Imports.
Al Bush was attracted to the trees and the aesthetic countryside. “He fell in love with the place,” Charlie Bush reflected. “He spent 14 years here, and in 1950 he became Congressman.” Lots of political dignitaries spent time here, probably sitting in these very rooms making decisions. There were many parties, social events and picnics. He served from 1951 to 1959
Charlie said his father moved into the home after World War II and he grew up with his brother and sisters. Horses and cattle were the way of life. There were no highways.
Charlie said his parents lived in the estate for awhile but had to downsize and moved to a smaller home in Williamsport.
Eventually the stables were torn down and now Target department store is located there. The main property remained vacant for about 8 years until two years ago when it was decided to transform the place into a desirable venue for just about any social gathering. “It became a private family corporation,” Charlie said, “under the Bush name.”
Now the events and parties can take place again as a catering venue from David Miele of Hillside Catering who has exclusive preparations for the food. After some extensive research, the decision to explore the idea got a tremendous response from the public. The first event was a wedding expo held last June. Since then, there have been several dinner meetings, a mystery dinner, corporate staff parties, a chamber exchange, birthday parties, and rehearsal dinners. Weddings are a major attraction and will feature a honeymoon suite which is in the renovation process as well completing 5 guest rooms upstairs with private baths.
Carmen Bush, Charlie’s wife who is a master gardener, completed much of the landscaping adding flowers and covers for the grounds so that it is appealing all year long. “We are doing the right thing for the property, and bringing it back to its great splendor,” said the couple.
For more information or to make a reservation for “the Bush House“, call 570-368-8880 or wynofarms209@windstream.net.
- One of the dining rooms at the Bush House is set up for a corporate luncheon.
Bush House continues a long journey of welcoming guests
BARB BARRETT/The Luminary The Bush House in Muncy Township is now available for weddings and corporate functions. The home was originally built in the mid 1800s and boasts many unique features both inside and outside. The home is currently owned by the Alvin R. Bush family and co-managed by Hillside Catering.
MUNCY – With a long gleaming history, the Bush House in Muncy Township has taken on a new life. Inspired by its owner, Charlie Bush and a fellow entrepreneur and caterer, David Miele established the 8 acre mansion as a venue for parties, weddings, corporate entertainment, dinners, and meetings.
Originally part of the Samuel Wallis estate in the mid 1800’s, it became the home of Margaret Jewett Hall who in 1867 added more square footage to the property, a large hall and two big rooms. It was only a small two story house when it was built in the 1840s according to Bush.
In 1912 the George Stearns family purchased the home and used it in the summer time. Therefore they built two large porches, and a barn to accomodate the horse and buggy they used to get back and forth to Williamsport.
A well known socialite from Olean, New York became the next owner and would entertain guests from Europe, New York and Philadelphia. She was influential for her interior design and did work for the governor’s mansion as revealed by Bush during an interview with The Luminary. Her name was Louise Frachot and she married a local, prominent attorney, Ed Munson.
“She did beautiful work to the home,” he said. She added elite wallpaper panels, marble floors, hand carved mahogany pillars, walnut stairs. “She knew the curators and went to their warehouses,” said Bush. “In the powder room is Marie Antoinette’s original boudoir brought back from France.” A 3 story free standing spiral staircase is also appealing, and only 3 others are like this in the world. “At the time, it was thought to be architecturally impossible.” A bedroom became a “ship room” for a small child with a desk intact that came from Admiral Nelson’s fleet in Britain during the Battle of Trafalgar. Origingal wall paper can be seen in the dining room.
One of the dining rooms at the Bush House is set up for a corporate luncheon.
Bush explained that a lot of the home’s history was recorded with the house, and original blueprits and work logs were discovered in the desk drawer in the upstairs ship room. Louise Munson also built two cottages on the property that were used as guest houses and possibly for staff. She named it the “Wyno Farm” and technically it is still named as such as it is recorded in “Homes and Heritage” a historical compilation of old homes and mansions in Lycoming County. It means “welcome, hello, or good luck” and its origin is native American. “The house is now referred to as ‘The Bush House’.”
After Mr. Munson passed away, in the mid 1920s, the 325 acre farm was purchased by Dr. Roy Simon who turned it into a home for very sick children suffering from tuberculosis and polio. He added a pool and started to build a great room, but in the process went bankrupt. The mansion remained vacant until 1945 when Alvin R. Bush, Charlie’s grandfather, became the owner. “There was nothing here at the time, but a barn and the house,” said Charlie referring to all the growth around him such as the mall and Grizzly Imports.
Al Bush was attracted to the trees and the aesthetic countryside. “He fell in love with the place,” Charlie Bush reflected. “He spent 14 years here, and in 1950 he became Congressman.” Lots of political dignitaries spent time here, probably sitting in these very rooms making decisions. There were many parties, social events and picnics. He served from 1951 to 1959
Charlie said his father moved into the home after World War II and he grew up with his brother and sisters. Horses and cattle were the way of life. There were no highways.
Charlie said his parents lived in the estate for awhile but had to downsize and moved to a smaller home in Williamsport.
Eventually the stables were torn down and now Target department store is located there. The main property remained vacant for about 8 years until two years ago when it was decided to transform the place into a desirable venue for just about any social gathering. “It became a private family corporation,” Charlie said, “under the Bush name.”
Now the events and parties can take place again as a catering venue from David Miele of Hillside Catering who has exclusive preparations for the food. After some extensive research, the decision to explore the idea got a tremendous response from the public. The first event was a wedding expo held last June. Since then, there have been several dinner meetings, a mystery dinner, corporate staff parties, a chamber exchange, birthday parties, and rehearsal dinners. Weddings are a major attraction and will feature a honeymoon suite which is in the renovation process as well completing 5 guest rooms upstairs with private baths.
Carmen Bush, Charlie’s wife who is a master gardener, completed much of the landscaping adding flowers and covers for the grounds so that it is appealing all year long. “We are doing the right thing for the property, and bringing it back to its great splendor,” said the couple.
For more information or to make a reservation for “the Bush House“, call 570-368-8880 or wynofarms209@windstream.net.
- One of the dining rooms at the Bush House is set up for a corporate luncheon.
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