The Gage Mansion

What's it like when a community's piece of history goes up for sale?  Well, the historic Gage Mansion in Huntingdon is for sale and it's such a part of their history in Huntingdon that the local newspaper, the Huntingdon Daily News, has written an article about it.  Read April Feagley's article below for the history and emotion attached to this property.

Reprinted from the Huntingdon Daily News 
By:  April Feagley

Much has changed in Huntingdon since the Gage Mansion, located at 317 Penn St., Huntingdon, was first built in 1896, and now the property will undergo a change in ownership as well.  The property marked its centennial in 1996, the same year Ann "Annie" Wishard purchased the home. I looked at other houses, but I fell in love with the town and everything about the house" said Wishard. "as soon as I saw it." I tried not to like it, but that was impossible. I love this place."  She has made her home in Huntingdon for the past 17 years, moved a storefront of her business, Sweet Annie's Herbs, into the property's carriage house and operated a bed and breakfast, allowing guests to enjoy the home as well.

Her time residing in Huntingdon however, has drawn to a close.
I'm not leaving because of Huntingdon or the house" said Wishard. I'm leaving because I think it is time. It is time for me to have one floor to deal with instead of three, and time to back off a bit."

The historic brick house, named on the National Registry of Historic Places, was recently listed with Peter Chiarkas, an agent with Kissinger, Bigatel and Brower Real Estate, State College.
"We don't have a lot of listings like this one, said Chiarkas.  In 14 years, this is one of the coolest homes I've ever put on the market."  The house was built in the Queen Anne Victorian style, with ornate wood carving and elaborate details incorporated into nearly every feature.  It is such a piece of art", Chiarkas said. "A painting really."

While Wishard herself will relocate, it is her hope the Sweet Annie's Herbs storefront will remain a fixture in Huntingdon, whether in its current location or another. "The store will be open in this location until the house sells. We have a couple of people interested in the store, who would like to find another location for it," she said. "I will still help with lectures and consultations and the mail order business will still be the same.  I can do mail order from anywhere, but I'd like Huntingdon to have the store.  Her hope, she said, is that whoever purchases the Gage Mansion, will share her affection for the home and its history.

I would like somebody to move in who loves history and who is going to live here or have someone live here. I'm hoping whoever moves here loves having a store, running a bed and breakfast or has a family that enjoys it. I would hate to see it become offices," said Wishard. It is the most comfortable home. It is beautiful, but doesn't feel formal."

Chiarkas said there has already been quite a bit of interest in the property, some from would-be bed and breakfast owners curious about the home.  I've had calls from all over the state from people interested in running a bed and breakfast," he said. "It hasn't been listed very long and there have been some showings."

Virtual tours of the Gage Mansion and listing information can be viewed here. "I do think the property has a positive future," said Chiarkas. "It is so historic. How many properties are there like this left in the entire state? It is a treasure in Huntingdon."

The present owner hopes for a bright future for the house as well, and looks forward to visiting Huntingdon frequently.

"It has been my special home for 17 years and I hate leaving it, but I hope whoever buys it will let me come visit," she said.

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