Looking Back

Ann O’Hara
Posted 8/21/12

Thomas Valentine Taft built his Hawley mansion after moving his family from Tafton, which was named for his father, Royal Taft. Born in 1819 in New York City, T. V. Taft was brought to Pennsylvania …

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Looking Back

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Thomas Valentine Taft built his Hawley mansion after moving his family from Tafton, which was named for his father, Royal Taft. Born in 1819 in New York City, T. V. Taft was brought to Pennsylvania when he was just nine months old. When his father died, Taft took over the family farm, store and hotel, and in 1866 moved his wife and children to Hawley and built a successful milling business. “Commemorative Biographical Record of Northeastern Pennsylvania” says of T. V. Taft: “He owns one of the handsomest residences in the borough, and there the many friends of the family delight to congregate, always feeling sure of a hearty welcome.” The Taft home has been restored to its original grandeur by current owners Jorge Perez and Estela Rojas, who received a Historic Preservation Award in 2004 from the Wayne County Historical Society. The deadline for nominations for the 2016 Historic Preservation Awards is May 10. Guidelines and nomination forms are available at WayneHistoryPA.org.

From the collection of the Wayne County Historical Society 810 Main St., Honesdale, open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday through April 9 and Wednesday through Saturday, April 16 through December.

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