Suburban Life - Chester/Delco - Issue #2 (February 2026)

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SL_Warren Claytor Architects_profile_0226_Layout 1 3 / 27 / 26 1 : 38 PM Page 1 by Matt Cosentino | photos by Jody Robinson g a Piece Restorin the Past of Restoration of the Radnor Hunt’s beloved Whip’s Cottage has become a passion John Milner for their influence early in project for the 1883 Foundation , renowned architect Warren Claytor , and a his career . He founded his firm 25 years ago and specializes in new construction , communityeager to bring this historic landmark back to life . custom residential design , adaptive re - rowing up in an old Radnor farmhouse helped Warren Claytor develop a use , and equestrian structures . Historic deep admiration for everyone and everything that came before him . restorations account for roughly a third Besides coming of age in a region of Pennsylvania so rich with history , he of his work . G was raised with a strong sense of community and the desire to give back This is not the first time he has con - whenever he could . tributed his skills free of charge ; he has Both aspects of his upbringing go a long way in explaining his role in a special also collaborated on past projects with project currently underway in Chester County . Radnor Hunt and Willistown Conserva - The 1883 Foundation is a 501 ( c ) 3 organization that was formed in 2021 to tion Trust . Folks attending Brandywine advance the public’s awareness of Radnor Hunt , the oldest continuously active Conservancy’s upcoming 95th anniver - fox hunt in the United States . As part of its mission to preserve and enhance the sary of the Radnor Hunt Races — “ Racing historic structures , landscape , archives , and equine and equestrian artifacts of ForOpen Space ” — on Saturday , May 16 , Radnor Hunt , the nonprofit started raising funds to renovate a historic building will observe from a distance the progress on the club’s Willistown Township campus : the 1742 Benjamin Hibberd House , ofthe work on the 1742 Benjamin Hibberd also known as the Whip’s Cottage , which had suffered extensive water damage House , which overlooks the finish line . after a frozen pipe burst . “ I’ve been honored to be the architect As an architect for nearly three decades , a passionate supporter of historical onthe project , ” Claytor says . “ It’s critical preservation , and a longtime volunteer at Radnor Hunt , Claytor was thrilled to work making sure that as we uncover join the project’s team . He appreciates the fact that ensuring the proper preservation historical artifacts , we’re cataloguing of the Whip’s Cottage has become a true community effort . them , saving them , and preserving them , “ It’s such a nice Chester County and Main Line story about bringing this and we’ll be integrating them into the historic structure back , but also about the way that the community has been final design of the project . The history really helpful in donating to the project , ” he says . “ I have a great appreciation for is fascinating . The Hibberd family was conservation , land preservation , and the landowners , and all of this is possible beloved in Willistown and owned the only because of their generosity and interest in continuing fox chasing in the area farm from 1722 until 1910 , and we’ve and in the historic preservation of this building , parts of which are older than our found some wonderful old boards that nation . ” hadthe name of Enos Hibberd stenciled Claytor received master’s degrees in architecture and landscape architecture inthem . That’s an example of something from the University of Pennsylvania , and credits mentors such as Ian McHarg and we’ll be reusing as we get to the next SUBURBANLIFEMAGAZINE.COM VOLUME 17 ISSUE 4 26 |

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SL_Warren Claytor Architects_profile_0226_Layout 1 3 / 27 / 26 1 : 39 PM Page 2 Claytor considers the preservation of the Whip’s Cottage as “ a benefit to the general public to be able to see this historic struc - ture sitting among the rolling hills as they drive down the country roads . ” phase of the interior design of the struc - at Willistown Township and his fellow andRadnor Hunt . ” ture . volunteers on the Historic Commission Claytor’s firm has completed jobs “ I’m absolutely committed to the andthe Willistown Planning Commission , everywherefrom Jackson Hole , Wyoming , success of this project , ” he continues . both of which he serves as a member , and Bar Harbor , Maine , to Cape May , “ I’m passionate about the historical andthe many local businesses that have NewJersey , and he enjoys the challenges architecture in our area , and I’m pas - contributed donations to date : AK that come with different climates and sionate about the missions of the 1883 Fencing , Benner & Sons Painting , Brava architectural styles . But there is nothing Foundation and Radnor Hunt , which Roof Tile , Griffiths Construction , Fergu - quite like historical preservation right benefit the entire community . ” sons , Hamilton Building Supply , Kohler , in his own backyard , like the Whip’s On a job like this , he stresses the LumbermenAssociates , Mansueto Hard - Cottage.Claytor approaches his historic importance of digging into the history woodFlooring , Marvin Windows , Moseley projectswith the philosophy attributed of the building and its original builders Services , McCahon Builders , The National to Charles Morse Stotz , who said : “ A and inhabitants . The early Quaker Bank of Malvern , O’Boyle G & P , Paynter restoration should be so honest that it farmers started farming the land when looksinevitable — and so careful that no the Okehocking Clan — part of the Lenni one thinks you improved it . ” Lenape tribe — hunted the area as part “ It’s a benefit to the general public of their summer hunting grounds . The tobe able to see this historic structure “ I was raised to give 1883Foundation and Radnor Hunt have sitting among the rolling hills as they been involved every step of the way . drivedown the country roads , ” he says . back in whatever way I “ We have to understand how these “ It fills their soul and enables them to structures evolved over time and the breathe and appreciate the beauty of can , and I’m fortunate different materials that were available , ” the preserved land that benefits the he says . “ Once we did some careful flora , the fauna , the wildlife , the bald to have the time to do selective demolition to understand the eagles , and the red - tailed hawks that structure , it then afforded some oppor - we’re fortunate to have . that on this magnificent tunity to improve the function and flow “ I was raised to give back in whatever of the interior without compromising way I can , and I’m fortunate to have the project . ” the historic exterior façades . Where we time to do that on this magnificent did add on or make modifications , we project , ” he continues . “ Radnor Hunt — Warren Claytor , Warren Claytor did it in a sensitive and respectful manner , and the 1883 Foundation are excellent Architects Inc . understanding the importance of the stewards of this historic structure and history and the scale and proportion of are ensuring that it will continue to be architectural elements and historic Property Management , Peirce - Phelps , part of the landscape for future genera - details . ” Quaker City Foundation , Ranieri & Kerns , tions to appreciate . ” Claytor is quick to share credit in SITEEngineering Concepts , Stenger Land - ? the restoration with contractor Robert scaping , Tague Lumber , T & T Hardscape Paynter and his crew . He is also grateful andMasonry , and Tuscarora Custom . for the assistance of RKA Builders , club “ We’re still accepting contributions Warren Claytor manager Davis Barsby , and countless anddonations , and we are well into con - Radnor Hunt members , as well as Radnor struction with our structural reinforce - Architects Inc . Hunt President Jodi Spragins and 1883 ment and providing upgrades to 114 N . Wayne Ave . Foundation President Marc O’Neill . In plumbing and electrical requirements , ” addition , he says the boards of both Claytor says . “ The goal is to preserve Wayne , PA 19087 Radnor Hunt and the 1883 Foundation andenhance the historic structures and ( 610 ) 688 - 1744 have been instrumental to the success make it available to use for a variety of warrenclaytorarchitects.com of the project . programmingevents that are consistent He also thanks the “ amazing staff ” withthe mission of the 1883 Foundation SUBURBANLIFEMAGAZINE.COM VOLUME 17 ISSUE 4 | 27

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