Thomas F. Byrne Mansion

Part 2 An O'Neill Christmas Story Christmas eve was an early to bed night since we had to get up for 6:30 Mass, when I was serving on the alter we had to be there at 5:30AM, it was only a short block walk to St. Ann’s, but it was always hard to get up. Arriving home after Mass we would race to the library but the door was locked! We were told we had to eat breakfast before we could see what Santa brought. The family had to line up in hall way, and guess who was always last. T...Continue reading

We asked Hugh O'Neill if he would share his memories of Christmas time at 400 Main Street. We thank him for taking us back in time and here is part one of his memories. Enjoy! "I fondly remember preparing for Christmas during the middle 1930's. It was a very busy time visiting Kinert's on Bridge Street, the local hardware and toy store where they had the most wonderful train layout with all the latest Lionel trains and buildings. We visited Woolworth's 5&10 cent store, and a...ll the other kid type stores while enjoying the various Christmas displays and then raced home to see what was cooking in the kitchen and finger taste all that we could before the cook chased us out. We had to sit down and write a card to all our classmates at St. Ann's and all our friends, cousins etc. Aunt Kate supervised this detail and made sure it was done. " "Early in December Mother would take us shopping to John Wanamaker in Philadelphia. Sam would pull up in front of St Ann’s school in his uniform and come to our classrooms to take us, Frank & I, to join Mother in the big Lincoln. If it was cold we would be covered with large warm car robes, and off we went to see Santa and the wonderful displays. Sam would drive to the main entrance opposite City Hall, and where he ever parked I’ll never know, anyway we knew that Mother would have set a time for him to pick us up. The entrance was behind two huge columns, at least three stories high, that you would drive behind to reach the entrance. The store was fascinating for a Kid to see, the huge central hall that went all the way to the big skylight at least eight of the ten stories, with all the balcony’s decorated for Christmas. We would spend three to four hours visiting Santa, trying on clothes, following Mother while she shopped for the family, and herself at the sheet music department for something new for her to play, and finally after many Do we have to’s, enjoying their famous organ playing beautiful Christmas music."

A beautiful day in October! Thank you Richard Gump Devaney for taking this beautiful shot today!

Thanks Richard Gump Devaney for taking this amazing picture!

We are excited to be an award winner at this years Phoenixville Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner. We love this amazing building!