The Simmers-Collins House (Under Restoration)

Located across from the Mill, the Simmers-Collins House, was home to the families of Allen H. Simmers and Oliver E. Collins.

The Mill at Anselma Preservation and Educational Trust has received grants from the Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission’s Keystone Preservation Program and Chester County’s Conference and Visitors Center to restore the site’s Simmers-Collins House.

Demolition began in 2004 and the project will be completed this year.

The building had been altered slightly over the years. After Mr. Collins’ Post Office closed in 1958, he removed that structure and constructed a concrete block structure in its place. He also enclosed the porch. In the restoration, the concrete block addition was  removed and the post office structure, which remained on the property, was reattached.

The grade, which Collins removed to create access to his basement, will be filled in and the porch will be returned to its appearance in the 1930s. The original posts, spindles, and decorative elements, which Mr. Collins kept stored in his mill all these years, will be reused in the restoration.

Once the restoration is completed, the first floor will be available for tours, exhibits, and visitor activities and the upper floors will be used for storage of the Mill Trust’s vast collection of artifacts.                                                                                                                                                                                                   Simmers-Collins House 1930s