The public had a rare opportunity to tour the Beidler House in Birdsboro during a spring open house held on June 14 by the Berks County Parks and Recreation Department. The building, which was built in 1783 by Conrad Beidler to serve as a home for the operator of the nearby mill, is only open on select dates throughout the year. In addition to the spring event, the Beidler House holds a Colonial Candlelight Holiday Reception in December.

The open house featured guided tours of the historic stone home and historical demonstrations. Visitors were also invited to walk to the nearby aqueduct, which was built adjacent to the house by the Schuylkill Navigation Company in 1824.

Upon arrival, guests were greeted by costumed interpreters. Before entering the home, they were able to view a set of tools displayed by landscaper and gardener Greg Geesaman, who specializes in historical gardening practices. He noted that some of the tools were yard sale finds.

He spoke about the importance of clearing land to establish gardens. "When (the Colonists) first came over and started farming, garden tools were one of the most valuable things a family could have. They would determine if they ate that winter or not," said Geesaman. "If you were 4 to 5 years old or if you were 80 years old and you were able, you were out working in the garden to provide food."

Tours of the Beidler House were led by Erin Baker, who showed participants the various bedrooms in the home, which featured "rope beds," which are beds that support a mattress with ropes rather than a box spring.

"This is what they would have slept on," Baker explained. "You would tighten these ropes really tight, which was where the phrase 'sleep tight' comes from. They would put a straw mattress over the top of (the ropes), and over that would be a down or feather mattress. As long as the ropes were tight, we would imagine it as being comfortable. They were not sleeping directly on the ropes."

Art instructor Peggy Allen was on hand at the event to discuss theorem painting, which is using stencils to make drawings or paintings on fabric or paper. She explained that multiple stencil overlays are used to create what appears to be a 3D image.

During the open house, visitors were invited to try their hand at theorem painting, creating an image of an apple tree. One stencil was used to create the tree and branches, while another stencil created the red apples. "When you use the stencil, there must be a lot of paint on the brush and you color everything in - almost like you are using a crayon," Allen explained. "Then you use a second stencil on top. We are building the picture."

Allen noted said that early Americans made their own artistic supplies. "Back in the day, they did not have stores where you could go buy things, so they made their own paints and their own brushes," she said. "They also made their own stencil and paper."

"Some of the linen, like velvet and silk, was imported from Europe, but a lot of people made their own fabric by spinning flax," Allen continued. "Whatever material they could afford, they would use."

Theorem painting was an early American art form that was popular during the early to mid-1800s. "It became popular because Colonial families did not have much in the way of decor. They were looking for things they could make themselves and hang on the wall," said Allen, noting that it was also common for people to stencil trunks, floors and drapes.

"I teach theorem painting at nine historic locations in three counties, including the Beidler House, because it is a dying art form," Allen added. "People need to understand what it is."

Allen will conduct a theorem painting workshop at the Beidler House on Saturday, Aug. 23, from 1 to 4 p.m. The workshop will offer a basic introduction to theorem painting, and participants will have an opportunity to create their own painting from a selection of designs. There will be a fee for materials. For more information and to register, visit http://www.facebook.com/berkscountyparks/events and select the "Theorem Painting Workshop" event on Aug. 23.

The Beidler House is located at 1130 Old River Road, Gibraltar (Birdsboro). More information is available at http://www.berkspa.gov/departments/parks-and-recreation/berks-county-parks/allegheny-aqueduct-historical-park.