84 Charing Cross Road In America Is Called The Book BaldwinBarn of West Chester, Pennsylvania

My daughter is very kind. When I visit her in Delaware, my money is no good. She likes to take me places. In the two times I have been there, she has taken me to Dan's work ( The University of Delaware), Catholic mass in both Newark and Wilmington, Owen's school, Owen's soccer game, Halloween Trick Or Treating, Washington, D.C., the Smithsonian, the White House, Lincoln's Memorial, Philadelphia, Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, New Castle, the Delaware Bay and Chesapeake Bay. Today she took me to this AMAZING book store. In 1946 this old barn was converted into an antiquarian book shop. Five sumptuous floors of antique and rare books from the 1700s to today. The barn is warm and cozy with shelves of books that reach from the floors to the ceiling. Here I browsed old copies of Dickens and Shakespeare. I could have spent the entire day there, but we had Sophia with us and her six year temperament wouldn't stand up to a methodical search for hidden literary treasures.

A stately tree adjacent to the barn has survived many storms like Hurricane Sandy that is approaching us now.

This is an old stone building which I would like to learn more about. It was a dairy barn built in 1822 by Quakers.

This is a place I would like to visit again with a list of titles and authors.

These are very thick walls that created the quiet inside and added to the charm and ambiance as we roamed the five floors of tomes. Today the store is a treasure trove of used and rare books, manuscripts, maps, prints, and other antique collectibles.

Sophia found two cats and a friendly dog to play with.

This Franklin stove is decorative and functional. This book store focused on selling books, not junk and other stuff found in our Bookmans stores here in Tucson.

An interesting door leading to the bowels of this exciting adventure.

Both sides of this hallway have old children's books.

Who dusts all this?

So much to look at.

Let's go up to the second floor. Watch your step.

I see sports. I'm looking for English and American literature. My friend Monica is an English major.

See what I mean? From the floor to the ceiling.

More stairs. More books. Still can't find much dust.

Shopping bags for our convenience; I better grab one.

More stairs. More books. I need to be selective because I need to take my purchases on the plane, once the planes are flying again. Hurricane Sandy has grounded me for a couple of days and has extended my visit.