Londonderry Retirement Community in Easton is offering a Spring Fashion Show and Sale on April 14, 2011, at 1:30 p.m. at its Community Center at 700 Port Street in Easton to benefit the Historic Londonderry Manor House. The apparel line, Taylor Marie’s, features high quality brands and is designed for women of all ages. Clothing and accessories by Alfred Dunner, Tribal,Ruby Road, Erin London and Karen Hart will include affordable costume jewelry and handbags.

The Spring Fashion Show and Sale Fundraiser will support Londonderry’s historic manor house, a Gothic Revival manor house situated on Londonderry Retirement Community’s 24-acres. The manor house was built of Port Deposit granite at the end of the Civil War for a surgeon in the U.S. Navy. The house, which overlooks the Tred Avon River and is listed on the Maryland Historical Trust’s (MHT) Historic Sites Inventory, was designed by prominent architect Richard Upjohn. Upjohn, a founding member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), also designed Trinity Church and the Church of the Ascension in New York City. Locally, he designed the Christ Church Rectory and the Trippe-Beale House in Easton. The Londonderry Manor House is one of only a few residentially commissioned asymmetrical villa-style houses designed by Upjohn.

According to Carole Abruzzese, Executive Director of Londonderry Retirement Community, “Having a significant historic waterfront manor house sets us apart from other retirement communities. We hope the community will take an interest in our historic site, which contributes to Easton’s story in a unique way.”

Abruzzese adds that in 2006 the manor house and three acres were placed in Easton’s Historic District, requiring that the manor house, windmill and historic grounds be preserved and maintained consistent with the historic period. In 2009, Londonderry Retirement Community formed a non-profit, Londonderry Manor House and Windmill Foundation, to support the continued preservation of the property into the future.

Abruzzese states, “The Foundation has opened the house for public use, such as special events and meetings. Currently,Londonderry residents and family members use the house for such activities as men’s and women’s pool leagues, bridge parties, and lifelong learning classes.”

The Spring Fashion Show and Sale is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. For further information, contactElaine Utley at 410-820-8732, extension 20.