Margaret M. Barber

2308 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA

1892-93 | Residence | Demolished 2011

“Parker…has on boards plans for a fine residence for Mr. M. Barber, to be erected on Broad above Dauphin streets. Structure will be three stories high, of Pompeiian brick and Lake Superior sandstone, tile roof and copper finishing. Inside halls and library will be in quartered oak, parlor of white and gold finish and the building fitted with electric bells and light, as well as all modern conveniences.” (June 29, 1892)

"Minerva Parker has made plans for a residence to be built at Broad and Dauphin for M. Barber.” (Philadelphia Inquirer, July 1, 1892)

“Minerva Parker Nichols, has prepared plans for a residence for Martin Barber. The building will be furnished with all improvements and conveniences.” (Architectural and Building Monthly, August 1, 1892)

“O’Brien Bros., contractors of Germantown, have received the contract to erect the house of Mrs. M. Barbour, Broad and Dauphin, for which plans were prepared by Minerva Parker Nichols...” (August 24, 1892)

“O’Brien Brothers, contractors and builders, of Germantown, have received the contract for the erection of Mrs. M. Barber, on the west side of Broad Street north of Dauphin. It will contain eighteen rooms and cost about $20,000. The front of the building will be constructed of Hummelsville brown stone, rock face, Lake Superior red stone, Pompeiian brick and red stone trimmings. The dimensions will be 20x85 feet. Minerva Parker Nichols, architect, prepared the plans.” (Philadelphia Inquirer, September 14, 1892)

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This project was completed for Margaret Barber, widow of Phineas Barber. Unlike many of Minerva’s projects in the Main Line towns of the Pennsylvania Railroad, or the outer-city neighborhood of Germantown, this project for Margaret Barber was designed for a constrained urban lot. In that way—and its Pompeiian brick facade—this house was similar in style (albeit smaller in scale) to Minerva’s design for the New Century Club, Philadelphia.

It was demolished c. 2011; the photograph below is clipped from Google Streetview, as of August 2011.