As the Delaware County Historical Society named it exhibition hall in his honor, businessman Steven Sudhop announced plans to create a winery and social center at Greenbank Farm in Marple.Sudhop purchased the farm from the historical society last year.
The gallery at the Chester Museum, Library & Research Center was being named for him because of the sizable donation he was contributing to the society.
At the ceremony, Sudhop revealed his plans to maintain a farm at the site, as well as a winery and social center.
Harkening back to his heritage – his grandfather was a cattle trader – Sudhop will have Amish workers farm the 4-acre property starting in July and a farmstand will be opened on site.
“You’ll be able to get produce there that you’ll not be able to get ay place else,” he said. “We’ll have quite a few chickens there ... we’ll be doing the organically raised.”
Sudhop said he envisions a community, an agrihood, growing around Greenbank Farm.
“You will see that communities are forming around agricultural properties and they become the center,the focus of the community,” he said, adding that he’s open to working with the township to create a community-sponsored agricultural center. “There’s something about knowing where your food comes from. It’s a very big thing. So, we’re going to do our part.”
He said he hopes to have the farm and the winery, called Lucky Duck Winery, open next year.
“The renewal process has already started,” Sudhop said. “The renewal process is on-going.”
The Delaware County Historical Society was grateful for his vision, especially at a difficult time for the organization.
“We’ve been preserving history in Delaware County since 1895 and Steve came along when we were in desperate need, in a financial bind,” historical society Executive Director Linda Houldin said. “Unfortunately, we couldn’t maintain it and we had to put it up for sale. Steve Sudhop came up to the plate and purchased it and he’s going to restore it.”
Sudhop said the property is being scanned at the moment and he hopes to begin design soon.
“It needs a ton of work,” Sudhop said of Greenbank, “but it’s also a jewel. What a fabulous place with a stone garden, koi pond, a fountain, everything. It’s just spectacular."
Stephen Sudhop and his wife, Dolores, stand in the DCHS exhibition gallery that bears his name.