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by Bob Waite
I love the drive to Carversville, no matter which way I go. I can drive from Rt. 413 and take Carversville Road or from Lumberville down Fleecydale Road. Either way I get to see the spectacular natural beauty that includes everything from the Paunnacussing Creek to beautiful fieldstone homes tucked in lush wooded properties. Some of these homes are converted mills that once drove the burgeoning economy of a thriving busy town.
Driving there I often imagine the Lenni Lenape people who came to what they called Aquetong or “many springs” as a gathering place. I often wonder what a gathering place would look like. Modern images that come to my mind are beaches, town meetings and a local tavern. But the image that stays with me every time I think about it is a family picnic. There you see the kids laughing, playing, wading and splashing in the Paunnacussing. The adults are in their little circles, eating, laughing, talking to each other as they keep a watchful eye on their children. Games are organized and old stories of lost relatives are told into the night, maybe around a camp fire.
Then I think of the town’s early days when some of the early settlers see the potential of harnessing the power of the creek to turn the wheels of mills. Well, milling catches on and wagons fill the muddy dirt roads of what is known as Milton. Milton is a way of saying Mill Town fast, I guess. By 1814 Milton has The Bird in Hand Inn, since commerce was so brisk, that lodging was needed for those coming to town to do business. I imagine that people gather there and are talking, laughing, playing games (maybe darts) and sipping on ale. In the 1840s the inn changes its name to the Carversville House.
Then a funny thing happens the U.S. Post Office in 1833 decides to set up business in town. The Post Office is already established in another Milton, so they decide to change the name of the town to Carversville. Thomas Carver is the postmaster and Carversville is named after him. I am really happy that Thomas came along, because I like the sound of Carversville much more than Milton.
Historic buildings and homes on the National Register abound in Carversville. The Carversville Christian Church, which is now the Carversville United Church of Christ, dates back to 1838 and is still standing on Aquetong Road, even after a devastating fire in July 2010. Also still standing in Carversville are the Carversville Inn, the Overpeck Homestead and lots other historic properties. The village has national recognition since 1978.
The central gathering place in Carversville today is the Carversville Kitchen. It is a treasure as is its chef, Dan Gallo. Dan, who began his culinary career in Philadelphia, worked in some of the best fine dining establishments in the city. He has also honed his skills in Boston, Manhattan, Cleveland, LA and West Hollywood. His career also included food styling for television. And yet he now lives in Pipersville with his wife and three kids.
“I am proud of what we are doing at the Carversville Kitchen. I’m really excited,” Dan says. “We provide delicious food, sourced locally and prepared carefully.”
In the store there are menus on large chalkboards with the most astounding choices. “People stop in for breakfast and lunch. We have a retail case with a selection of meats, vegetables, starches, fresh salads and yogurt parfaits.” These are things some people bring home for dinner.
The Carversville store has a selection of their own homemade beverages, such as spiced teas, fruit waters and so on. All these are bottled fresh. Turkey sandwiches are all made from their own prepared turkey, which is not processed, but comes fresh from farms in Lancaster and is cooked and seasoned and sliced at the Kitchen. The same is true for the roast beef and other meats used on sandwiches.
The Carversville Store is unique because it is genuinely part of the Carversville community. “Whenever we can,” Dan says we support local farms. We are careful that all our proteins are hormone free. In our store we sell local honey, and we support local artisans, an example being the pottery we sell.”
There are various events that take place at the Carversville Kitchen, such as the monthly pig roast which sometimes has lights and often entertainment. Then there is the themed dinners on the first Monday of the month that are very popular. These have fun foods like burgers and tacos.
The Carversville Kitchen is off the beaten path—a modern gathering place. People throughout Bucks County are finding that it is worth the drive. I know I enjoy the welcoming building that has recently been restored and the gardens that are outside, making it look even more inviting.
So, I see Carversville, known for its artists and writers, is no longer a place of thriving industry and busy mills, but instead is a gathering place, a community that has kept its history and natural beauty intact.
Bob Waite is the editor of Bucks County magazine.