Crafted by Old World Woodcarvers
Frederick/Friedrich A. Bender and his family were among the earliest settlers of the new development of Narberth Park. As a teenager, Frederick emmigrated from Baden, Germany. His gravestone attests that he served during the Civil War in Company G of the 27th New York Infantry Regiment, as a musician. The regiment saw action at Bull Run, Antietam and Fredericksburg, among other battles.
The 1880 census shows Frederick working as a carpenter, living in West Philadelphia with wife Julia (also a German immigrant) and 5 young children born after the war. In May 1888 they bought a parcel in Narberth Park (Deed Book 323, page 414) at the dead end of newly laid-out Forrest Avenue—it would not be extended to Woodbine for another 20 years— followed on 1/15/1889 by a mortgage.
Mr. Bender is out every day superintending the construction of his house at the upper end of Forrest avenue. The interior of this house is to be finished in cabinet style. The wood work is all hand-carved.
— The Philadelphia Record 3.16.1889
Frederick is described in the 1900 census in Narberth as a Cabinet Maker, his sons Charles and Fred as Woodcarvers. It's not only the elaborate porch columns, window pediments and hexagonal siding that shows off their handiwork. Inside, myriad birds, bugs, beasts, flowers and vines in high relief ornament the staircase and moldings.
The Benders played an active role in early Narberth. Narberth's Historical Prelude (1905) lists J. W. Bender among the "twelve men and one woman [who] met in the shop of William L. Owens' stable and planted the village's political nucleus by organizing the Narberth Park Association", Narberth's first civic association, on October 9th, 1889. This would appear to mean Julia W. Bender, although there is another woman listed among the 13 Association founders, so it may be a typo that refers to Frederick W. Bender, their son. F. W. Bender served as Majority Inspector of Narberth's first election (February 19, 1895), and one year on Borough Council 1897-98.
The Benders sold 217 Forrest in 1902 to their daughter Louise and son-in-law George J. Boyd, and moved to Bucks county.
The real estate listing from 1982 (see below) advised "Turn of the Century Farmhouse, Needs Some Work". The Croce family, owners from 1983 to 2022, deserve credit and gratitude for their beautiful restoration and maintenance of this extraordinary late Victorian Narberth house.
Updated March 3, 2024.
Montgomery County Property Record