Step back in time with a trio of historic homes offering unparalleled charm and unique features. Ball Farm, circa 1725 in Montchanin, DE, priced at $3,500,000, is a sprawling 10.5-acre estate once owned by E.I. duPont, blending historic grandeur with modern luxury. Nearby in Rehoboth Beach, a 1914 turn-of-the-century cottage at 16 Delaware Avenue is listed for $3,299,000, boasting seven bedrooms, a guest house with rental licenses, and significant income potential just steps from the boardwalk. Also in Rehoboth Beach, the distinctive 1900 gem at 69 Henlopen Avenue offers over 4,900 square feet of period elegance with seven fireplaces and beautiful craftsmanship, priced at $4,400,000. Each property presents an exceptional opportunity for history lovers seeking timeless beauty.
1. 1923 Historic Home in Montchanin, DE
This exquisite 1923 historic home in Montchanin, Delaware, offers a rare opportunity to own a piece of Ball Farm’s legacy, originally acquired by E.I. duPont in 1812. Set on a picturesque 10.5-acre estate, the three-story residence combines period craftsmanship with modern luxury across six bedrooms and multiple baths. Recent renovations preserve its character with exposed beams, hand-painted murals, and fireplaces, blending elegance and comfort. The sun-drenched solarium and expansive stone patio overlook serene gardens and a tranquil pond. Listed at $3,500,000, this remarkable property includes outbuildings perfect for equestrian or creative pursuits, nestled in the historic Brandywine Valley.
Historic Home
This American historic home blends brick, stone, and wood materials with classic colonial architecture. The left section features three levels of red brick walls with black shutters framing rectangular white-trimmed windows. The stone foundation below adds rustic texture and distinction. The main body displays white siding punctuated by symmetrical windows and dormers on the noted gable roof. A stone retaining wall encircles an elevated patio area outfitted with outdoor black chairs and a vibrant orange-striped umbrella, providing a charming contrast. Surrounding mature trees cast dappled shadows over the lush green, gently sloping lawn.
Colonial House
A long colonial-style house features a gently sloping wooden shingle roof with three dormer windows evenly spaced. The exterior walls are painted white, accented by black shutters framing multiple double-hung windows. The main entrance is recessed under a stone archway, flanked by potted greenery and a black bench on a brick patio. The façade integrates traditional elements like brick chimneys and symmetrical window placement, conveying historic American architecture. The driveway curves softly in front, bordered by mature shrubs and trees providing a textured contrast. Overall, the setting harmonizes natural materials and classic design details characteristic of colonial homes.
Recreation Room
This recreation room features wood-paneled walls with a rich, warm finish and exposed wooden ceiling beams contrasting with a smooth white ceiling. Natural light enters through four multi-pane windows with wooden shutters, illuminating the polished hardwood floors. A contemporary, light beige sectional sofa with blue, yellow, and patterned throw pillows sits on a geometric-patterned rug in brown and cream tones. A round wooden coffee table and an oval black table hold decorative items, books, and a tea set. A gray foosball table provides entertainment, while a brick hearth adds a rustic historic element to the space.
Wood Paneling
This room features extensive wood paneling covering all walls and built-in bench seating beneath three double-hung windows that bring natural light indoors. The hardwood floor runs uninterrupted, exhibiting aged grain patterns with a polished finish. Exposed ceiling beams match the paneling’s rich brown tone, contrasting with a smooth, off-white ceiling that integrates recessed lighting fixtures for subtle illumination. Two wooden interior doors maintain the cohesive warm wood aesthetic. The entrance door is painted white, leading to a sunlit porch space with brick flooring, combining traditional colonial era influences with clean architectural lines.
Living Room
A spacious living room features soft blue carpeting and walls painted in light gray with a wooden chair rail molding accentuating the perimeter. Two large windows framed with floral patterned drapes bring natural light into the space. The seating area includes an off-white sofa and two matching armchairs arranged around a clear glass coffee table atop a gray and white geometric rug. An ornate wooden fireplace mantle is visible on one side, while two abstract black and white artworks hang on the wall, balancing contemporary art with the room’s historic architectural elements.
Dining Area
This spacious dining area incorporates a rectangular dark wood table paired with six cushioned chairs, providing comfortable seating. The flooring consists of classic reddish-brown brick tiles, enhancing the historic ambiance. Large, floor-to-ceiling glass windows and sliding doors surround the space, allowing abundant natural light and offering unobstructed views of the lush, green outdoor scenery. The white ceiling with textured finish contrasts with the dark furniture and features recessed lighting and skylights, creating an airy, well-lit environment. Adjacent to the dining set, a living area with a neutral-toned sectional sofa completes the open-plan layout, blending traditional materials with modern design.
Kitchen Island
The kitchen centers around a large island topped with white marble featuring subtle veining. The island base is painted a weathered blue, offering storage with numerous drawers and cupboards. Surrounding cabinetry showcases rich, natural wood with simple knob handles, complementing the exposed wooden beams along the ceiling edge. The floor consists of reddish-brown natural brick tiles laid in a herringbone pattern, extending through a broad brick-arched doorway. A double window with a blue-green frame lets in natural light, covered with a checked valance curtain. Recessed ceiling lights provide additional illumination, blending historic rustic elements with modern finishes.
Bathroom Vanity
This bathroom features a long vanity with dual sinks set into a smooth, light-colored countertop atop muted green cabinetry. The cabinetry includes multiple drawers and cupboards, each fitted with simple round knobs. Above the vanity, an expansive, segmented mirror reflects the space, bounded by bright, round vanity lights. The walls are adorned with soft beige tiles accented by a decorative floral tile border that adds historic charm. A glass-enclosed shower stands adjacent with stone tiles and built-in shelving. Opposite the vanity, a wooden-framed full-length mirror door enhances the spaciousness and classic styling of the room.
Listing Agent: Leslie Carpenter of Patterson-Schwartz – Greenville via Zillow
2. 1914 Turn-of-the-Century Cottage Home in Rehoboth Beach, DE
This charming 1914 turn-of-the-century cottage in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, stands as a significant piece of coastal history just steps from the iconic boardwalk and sandy beaches. The property offers a main house with seven bedrooms and 3.5 baths, complemented by a detached guest house featuring three bedrooms and one bath. Recent renovations include a new kitchen and a newly installed solar array, enhancing the property’s value and sustainability. With two rental licenses, it generates a six-figure annual income. Priced at $3,299,000, this home combines vintage character with modern potential on a sought-after ocean block.
Historic Home
The two-story historic American home features beige wooden siding with a prominent white brick chimney extending above the roofline. A screened-in porch wraps around the front and side, supported by white wooden railings and framed by dark screen panels for airflow and insect protection. Multiple white-trimmed double-hung windows provide balanced natural light to the interior spaces. The roof is gabled with gray shingles matching the muted, classic color palette. A mature tree and manicured boxwood shrubs line the concrete sidewalk, complementing the home’s traditional style. A gravel driveway leads to a white wooden picket gate, enhancing the home’s period charm.
Seaside Houses
The neighborhood layout features closely situated American homes with a variety of traditional architectural styles. Roofs are mostly pitched and covered in weathered shingles in neutral tones of gray and brown. The houses display painted sidings in soft blue, beige, cream, and white, accented by dark trim. Porches span the front of many homes, supported by evenly spaced columns and outfitted with railings. Streets run parallel to the sandy coastline seen in the background. Mature deciduous trees provide shade amid manicured lawns, complementing the scene with greenery. Evening light casts a warm, soft hue over the setting.
Living Room
The living room features light blue paneled walls that add texture and historic charm. Two large windows with white blinds allow natural light to fill the space. A traditional red brick fireplace with a wooden mantel serves as a focal point, decorated with pastel ceramic pieces and coral. The carpeted floor complements the neutral-toned fabric sofa and a patterned armchair, both accented with coordinated throw pillows. A wooden coffee table and side table hold plants and books, while a flat-screen television sits atop a wooden stand. A ceiling fan with wooden blades completes the cozy layout.
Bedroom Interior
The bedroom features a king-size bed with a white wicker headboard and a colorful geometric-patterned comforter. Two matching wicker nightstands flank the bed, each topped with a small table lamp emitting warm light. Light gray walls complement the plush, light gray carpet flooring. Two tall windows with white trim and white blinds flank a narrow door with a sheer curtain, allowing natural light to filter in. The ceiling hosts a white fan with light fixtures. A framed painting above the bed adds a coastal touch, while a wicker dresser holds a television remote, combining function with the room’s airy, coastal mechanical style.
Twin Bedroom
Two twin beds sit parallel against light blue walls in this historic American bedroom, each featuring wooden headboards in muted green with natural wood trim. Vibrant comforters display large floral patterns in hot pink, orange, and navy blue, adding bold color contrast. A beige wall-to-wall carpet covers the floor, softening the space beneath the beds. Between the beds, two matching nightstands support black lamp bases with cream lampshades, positioned in front of a single tall window with white plantation blinds. White crown molding details the ceiling, which holds a white ceiling fan with light, completing the simple, classic layout.
Bedroom
Two twin beds with green wooden headboards sit parallel in a compact bedroom, separated by a wicker nightstand holding a modern lamp with a dark shade. Soft purple walls contrast with vibrant turquoise and green valances above two symmetrical windows outfitted with white blinds, allowing filtered natural light. The bedding features geometric patterns that add color and playfulness, complementing the room’s casual coastal style. A green dresser with multiple drawers holds a traditional lamp with a cream-colored shade, enhancing the ambient lighting. The space is carpeted in plush gray, uniting the cozy, inviting atmosphere.
Bathroom
This compact bathroom features a white toilet and a wooden vanity with a beige countertop and built-in sink. Above the vanity, an oak-framed mirror with three round light fixtures provides warm illumination. White walls are accented by a whimsical ocean-themed border, which adds a splash of color with images of fish and starfish. A small window with white blinds allows natural light to enter the space. The wood-effect flooring adds warmth and texture to the room. A glass-enclosed shower occupies the right corner, and white double doors likely conceal storage space, complementing the bathroom’s efficient layout.
Listing Agent: Michael Reamy Jr of Monument Sotheby’s International Realty via Zillow
3. 1900 Historic Home in Rehoboth Beach, DE
This historic home at 69 Henlopen Avenue in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, dates back to the early 1900s and is a beautiful architectural gem featuring cedar shake siding and roofing, brick walkways, and mature landscaping. The property combines several smaller historic structures from the 1940s into a 4,900-square-foot residence with seven wood-burning fireplaces, original wide-plank hardwood floors, and exquisite vintage details. Set on a 100 by 91-foot parcel, it offers five bedrooms, 3.5 baths, and a spacious, character-filled layout. Recent updates include a kitchen with marble countertops and stainless steel appliances. Listed at $4,400,000, this home blends history, comfort, and charm near the ocean and downtown.
Front Entrance
The front entrance features a white wooden door with a windowpane grid, topped by a blue fabric awning that casts gentle shade. The surrounding exterior is clad in white-painted wooden shingles, reflecting a traditional colonial American style. A large black shutter alongside the door adds contrast and historic charm. The porch area is paved with red bricks laid in a herringbone pattern that leads through a small garden with dry foliage and low shrubs, bordered by a natural earth ground. The exterior wall houses a vintage-style lantern light and a wall-mounted black mailbox beside the number 69, imparting a lived-in, cozy atmosphere.
Entry Hall
The entry hall features wide plank wooden floors with a rich, warm finish that complements the natural wood trim and door frames. A large red geometric-pattern rug anchors the space. A polished wood dresser with simple round metal pulls sits against one wall, topped with two matching lamps and a framed landscape painting. A wooden staircase with an angled paneled enclosure leads upward, accompanied by a dark wooden chair placed beneath the stairs. Bright white walls and ceiling create contrast, while the open doorways provide views into adjacent rooms showcasing period furnishings and a brick fireplace, enhancing the historic atmosphere.
Living Room
This living room centers around a large brick fireplace encased in detailed wooden paneling, reminiscent of early American craftsmanship. Two light blue armchairs with textured beige cushions face a glass and brass coffee table stacked with books, resting on a patterned Persian rug. Adjacent, a floral upholstered bench adds color and contrast. The room features natural wood floors and trim that frame bright white walls, enhancing natural light from the adjacent sunroom visible through a doorway. Antique-inspired furnishings, including a distressed cream chest and traditional lamps, create warmth and invite relaxation in this historic space.
Sunroom Seating
This sunroom features expansive multi-pane windows along two walls, allowing abundant natural light to bathe the space and offer garden views. The floor is rich, wide-plank wood with a warm honey tone that complements the rattan furniture. Seating includes a curved sectional sofa and matching chairs with floral cushions in muted green and soft pink, reflecting a vintage style. A round rattan coffee table with a glass top anchors the seating area. Additional touches include a rattan side table with books and a white orchid, and a matching side table with a green-glass lamp topped by a cream lampshade. The walls and ceiling are painted white, amplifying brightness and creating a serene, airy ambiance.
Living Room
This living room features exposed wooden ceiling beams and white plastered walls, highlighting colonial architectural style. The floor consists of wide wooden planks with a soft, patterned beige rug adding warmth. A white upholstered sofa with rolled arms sits centrally, accented by two rust-colored throw pillows. Beneath it, a translucent acrylic coffee table holds a neat stack of books. A classic dark wood china cabinet stands against one wall, offering inbuilt shelving and drawers. Near the doorway, simple wooden chairs complement the space. Ambient indoor lighting comes from a late-night table lamp with a cream shade.
Bedroom
This bedroom features a tall wooden four-poster bed dressed with crisp white linens and a blue-and-white striped bed skirt. Floral curtains and matching valances frame the windows and French doors, adding traditional charm and vibrant color. A patterned area rug complements the warm wooden floor and antique-style furniture, including a bedside table holding a ceramic lamp and family photos. The ceiling is high and white with recessed lighting and a ceiling fan. Framed botanical prints and classic artwork adorn the walls near the doors, while a rustic wooden chest serves as a bench at the foot of the bed.
Attic Bedroom
This attic bedroom features a sloped ceiling with exposed wooden beams that add rustic character. The walls are painted white, contrasting with the rich, warm tones of the wide wooden plank floor. A large bed with a colorful patterned headboard and matching bed skirt sits against one wall, accompanied by yellow accent pillows and white bedding trimmed in red. Two ornate, vintage-style wall sconces flank the bed, providing elegant lighting. A small wooden nightstand with a modern glass lamp complements the space. A wooden chest at the foot of the bed offers storage, while a dark wooden door opens to a hallway with additional wood paneling and natural lighting.
Listing Agent: BRYCE LINGO of Jack Lingo – Rehoboth via Zillow