Welcome to 1 Porter Lane, in leafy Rose Valley. Built in 1912 by revered architect William Lightfoot
Price, this three story dwelling is known as the Butterfly House for the symmetrical angled wings
flanking its center. Set on nearly one acre, this landmark home has been occupied by generations of one
family for the past 56 years. Tucked away on a charming cul-de-sac, the house sits among an secluded enclave of five homes of complementary design. All date back to the early 1900s and have been meticulously maintained since. From the front yard, a main brick pathway leads to a pergola whose ancient wisteria vines bloom each spring, and later shade the spacious front porch. This path matches the brick-red Mercer tiles on the roof. Inside, original hardwood and heart pine flooring feature largely in the home. The house is cooled by central air conditioning. On the left of the spacious entry hall, the first floor boasts a large living room with a fireplace and builtin cabinetry as well as a small parlor. To the right is a long dining room that can accommodate all your holiday guests. A charming touch is the run of original casement windows across the front of each of the two main rooms.Adjacent to the kitchen is a breakfast room and butler’s pantry equipped with sink and wine refrigerator. This room includes a door to the side yard and a small terrace. A den with a full bath also has access to a rear porch. A back staircase from the kitchen leads to the second floor.The second floor is primarily accessed by a grand curving staircase from the front hall, which retains its original finish.
On the second floor are five bedrooms and one full bath. The bathroom features original cobalt subway
tiles halfway up the wall, while the floor matches with small blue tiles.The spacious primary bedroom boasts a fireplace, a walk-out terrace, a seating/dressing area, and windows on three sides.
One of the bedrooms features a bay window, and several contain large closets.
A study on the second floor is handsomely finished with built in shelves, a working fireplace, casements,
and double hung windows.The third floor houses two bedrooms and a third full bathroom. In one bedroom, a door opens to an outdoor porch with stunning views of the gardens and woods. Another room presents options for a home office or hobby room. A staircase provides access to the basemen laundry room and a 2-car garage.
A more recent addition to the property is a charming greenhouse featuring gravel flooring on the sides
and a brick walkway down the center. With ample tables on either side for potting, a radiator keeps
plants and planters warm in the early gardening season. Open the door at the end of the greenhouse
and step into a tool shed, which also has a brick floor.
Facing the front of the house, note the large driveway on the left. With a grand original wrought iron
gate, this provides ample spaces for family members and guests to park. Ultimately, the driveway leads
to original under-house parking spots.
1 Porter Lane is within easy walking distance to the Rose Valley-Moylan train station,
Hedgerow Theatre, Rose Valley Swim and Tennis Club, Rose Valley Historical Society, the Old Mill, and woodsy trails. Just beyond the train station is the town of Media, with an abundance of shops and restaurants. Access to the Blue Route is a short drive away, leading to I-95 to the east and the Schuylkill Expressway to the west. Many of the historic homes in Rose Valley - including the others on Porter Lane - were inspired by the English Arts and Crafts Movement. William Price’s use of reinforced concrete and decorative Mercertiles in the design of the Butterfly House, as well as hotels and railroad stations from the East Coast to the Midwest, was far ahead of its time, proving his conviction that buildings should be beautiful as well as useful.