Edgewood, the stunning serpentine home built in the mid-19th century in Birmingham Township, has been refurbished and comfortably updated by the latest owners, John and Doris Rudibaugh. Matt Freeman unlocked the details of the renovation for County Lines Magazine.

Originally built for the Charles Sharpless family, the large, symmetrical house in the Gothic Revival style was constructed using serpentine stone from a local quarry.

The first owners were a prominent local Quaker family, and based on what he was told by local historians, Rudibaugh is convinced that their home was a stop on the Underground Railroad. During the renovation, he discovered a closed-off room with plates and other artifacts, which suggested it was a hiding place for fugitive slaves.

The famed Philadelphia Biddles family bought the home in 1873 and added its distinctive tower as a back staircase for servants. That close-off room may have stored Mrs. Biddle’s jewelry collection.

Overall, the current renovation took longer than the present owners expected. But they wanted to preserve the historic character of the house while bringing its heating, electricity, and plumbing systems up to modern standards. They also opened up the smaller rooms and widened doorways. The interior was then decorated with casual elegance.

Rudibaugh also capped off one of the home’s prominent features, the four-story tower on the east side, with a Second Empire-style mansard roof.

Read more about Edgewood in County Lines Magazine.

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in February 2022.