Woodledge
Why it's listed
Built in 1935 on the north side of the Lincoln Highway near West Whiteland's western edge, Woodledge is a Colonial Revival stone house with a stable set a few hundred feet to the northeast. The house takes the additive form of a Pennsylvania farmhouse, with a three-bay main block, a west wing, and an east garage with sleeping quarters above. Its pointed stone walls, shuttered windows, and a south entrance with a curving broken pediment and fanlight show close attention to materials. Inside, the staircase has carved brackets, fluted balusters, and a cherry handrail, and the cellar contains a wine cellar with an arched brick ceiling. Park L. Plank, head of the Downingtown Iron Works, commissioned the house from West Chester architect Ralph P. Minich. The property is significant for its architecture, as it is regarded as the finest Colonial Revival example in the township and a showcase of traditional craftsmanship.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues that the house is an extraordinarily crafted and well preserved Colonial Revival example that combines vernacular and historical references, with notable craftsmanship evident from cellar to attic. It is described as the best example of the style in West Whiteland Township. It was built for industrialist Park L. Plank and designed by architect Ralph P. Minich.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 88001161, listed July 28, 1988. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 525 W. Lincoln Hwy., West Whiteland |
|---|---|
| County | Chester County |
| Listed | July 28, 1988 |
| Reference number | 88001161 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1935 |
| Architect / builder | Ralph P. Minich (architect); unknown (builder) |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition recorded as excellent with excellent integrity at the time of survey. |
| Acreage | 2.8 |
| Coordinates | 40.02413, -75.65685 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 88001161.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q17039955
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.