A Strawberry Festival, featuring strawberry dishes, live music, children's activities and craft vendors, will be offered on Saturday, June 7, from noon to 5 p.m. at St. Mary of Providence Center, 227 Isabella Road, Elverson. The day will also include tours of the site's Potts mansion.

Activities will be held on the grounds of the historic property. "There will be face painting for children and all kinds of strawberry (dishes) - strawberry shortcake, strawberries with ice cream and chocolate-covered strawberries," said Jacqueline Guerra, the site's retreat reservation coordinator. "We have 12 vendors so far selling crafts, jewelry and trinkets."

Other food items offered for sale will include hamburgers, hot dogs, potato chips and beverages. There will be an opportunity to win prize baskets, and live musicians will perform throughout the day. There will also be a clown on hand, a balloon artist and children's games.

A highlight of the day will be guided tours of the site's mansion. Tours will begin at 11 a.m. and are limited to 20 people.

According to a history of the site, Langoma mansion was built in the late 19th century by Joseph D. Potts, a local ironmaster. The name "Langoma" is a Lenape Indian term meaning "homestead." 

The mansion has 76 rooms and features numerous architectural details like "floating" staircases and ornate woodwork. The mansion includes 22 fireplaces; 22 servant rooms; marble floors; staircases made of marble, onyx and alabaster; and multiple stained-glass windows, including one made of Tiffany glass.

The building is a "double mansion," meaning both sides are mirrors of each other. One half of the mansion was designed for Joseph and his wife, Mary, and the other for their son, William Potts, and his wife, Mabel. Unfortunately, Joseph died in 1893 and never had a chance to live in the mansion. William finished the mansion in 1897 and lived there with his mother and his wife.

William died in 1943, and the property eventually went to the Daughters of St. Mary of Providence, who acquired the Potts mansion in 1948 to be used as a training and education center for children with developmental challenges. In 1984, the children were transferred to a new complex built by the Diocese of Philadelphia in Springfield.

Today, St. Mary of Providence Retreat Center functions as a retreat facility year-round, where people of all denominations can spend time praying and focusing on their spiritual needs. In addition to the religious retreat center, the site includes several buildings that house senior citizens.

All proceeds from the Strawberry Festival and mansion tours are used to maintain the historic property and support the mission of St. Mary of Providence Center.

Admission to the festival is free; a donation will be received for the mansion tours. For more information and to reserve a spot on the tour, visit http://www.stmaryprov.org/strawberry. Those with questions may call 610-942-4166 or email providence@stmaryprov.org.