Pride of Darlington Award: John and Colleen Bamberry
(Left to right) Diane Stephens, John Bambery, Colleen Bambery, Darlington Mayor Tony Watkins, Shelia Gregg, Virginia Williams, and Darlington city planner Lisa Rock
Photo by Samantha Lyles
By Samantha Lyles, Staff Writer, slyles@newsandpress.net
Last week, the City of Darlington Beautification Board presented the Residential Pride of Darlington Award to John and Colleen Bambery of 707 Pearl Street in recognition of their efforts to restore and beautify their historic home.
Located at the corner of Buchanan and Pearl Streets, the Bambery house was built around 1931 and once served as housing for a supervisor at the Darlington Manufacturing Company cotton mill.
John and Colleen moved to Darlington in 2013 after several enjoyable visits with family here, and knew it was time to leave Pittsburgh and head south when the Pearl Street home came on the market.
“When we first came down and looked at the home, it was kind of serving as family storage, but we could see past it and we just fell in love with it,” says John. “This was the house we wanted to have after we retired.”
Inside the home, refinished hardwood floors and built-in mahogany cabinets provide authentic historical touchstones. Outdoors, bright and lively flowers and shrubs ornament the front yard, while a koi pond and tin-roofed sitting area offer the Bamberys and their guests a pleasant place to relax.
The Pride of Darlington award is presented three times each year to homeowners who go the extra mile to improve and maintain their homes and yards. A separate award is given to business owners who meet the same criteria.
Nominations are accepted from the community. To suggest a home or business, call Lisa Rock at (843) 398-4000, extension 103, or email darlingtonplanner@gmail.com. Award winners from within the last five years are not eligible.
