Delaware artist Thomas Burke started making birdhouses after a 25-year career in the construction business, where he and his father built many homes in the Brandywine Valley region. One day, he made a birdhouse for his girlfriend—and she liked it—so he continued, expanding his scope to include well known structures and houses owned by famous people like George Lucas (producer of the “Star Wars” movies) and Martha Stewart.

Architectural Digest Magazine has called him “America’s birdhouse builder/designer extraordinaire.” Burke’s birdhouses are truly wondrous—and immense. Many of them are 3 to 5 feet wide; the largest measured in at over 11 feet. The most expensive one he’s ever made sold for $17,000. He often re-creates scenes from our heritage, constructing representations of local historic structures. His birdhouse depicting the Wilmington Amtrak Station is one of his favorites.

Over a period of nine years, Burke constructed a series of birdhouses inspired by some of the rural buildings portrayed in Andrew Wyeth paintings. One of Burke’s structures is based on the home which was owned by brother and sister Alvaro and Christina Olson in Cushing, Maine. Wyeth repeatedly returned to the Olson house as a subject throughout his life. It appears in one of his best-known paintings— “Christina's World”—and also in “Weatherside” and other works.

Burke typically pays very close attention to details in his works. He includes key features of the structures, like the weathered, wood-shingled roof and rustic exterior of the Olson house with its many windows. However, he adds elements of his own artistry as well. Some of Burke’s creations are more whimsical. He did a series of Campbell’s Soup cans, which were for a time displayed along the Wilmington waterfront. The birdhouses he creates are usable structures for wrens and other small birds. Many of the birdhouses have removable roofs for easy cleaning.

With their large size and exquisite detailing, some people might ask: “Aren’t these more like works of art than houses for birds?” Burke readily agrees. His creations are folk-art and his long-honed skills in the construction industry are meticulously used in detailing intracacies of every structure he builds. As he has done beautiful renditions of several historic structures throughout the Chadds Ford area, his creations may be of interest to institutions and individuals looking to bring a unique item to their venues or homes.

The Wyeth family moved between Maine and their home in Chadds Ford. Burke's studio is located nearby in Wilmington, Del. The two artists crossed paths over time. At an event in 2008, Andrew reportedly whispered to his wife Betsy, “I can see my painting in that birdhouse.” Andrew and Betsy later purchased one of Burke's birdhouses as a Christmas present for their son, Jamie.

To date, Burke has constructed roughly 160 birdhouses—and shows no signs of slowing down. You can see several of his creations as you walk around at the Chadds Ford Barn Shops. His rendition of the N.C. Wyeth studio is beautiful and quite serene, showing its large expanse of windows which brought in natural light for the artist to capture on his canvases. One titled “Starry Night” depicts the church shown in Vincent Van Gogh’s famous painting. The Chadds Ford Historical Society owns one of his houses. He built one of the John Chads House and the original Hank’s Place. Burke has numerous ideas for future projects—including a possible religious theme, incorporating the Stations of the Cross.

Talking with Burke, one can sense how much he enjoys building new birdhouses which will capture the attention of the general public. With a wide array of cultural and historical sites scattered throughout the Brandywine Valley, he has numerous scenes available which he might re-create in the future. If his past works are any indication, they will likely turn into more amazing places for birds to make a home in the years to come.

Gene Pisasale is an historian, author and lecturer based in Kennett Square. His 11 books focus mostly on the history of the Chester County/mid-Atlantic region. Gene’s latest book is “Heritage of the Brandywine Valley”, a beautifully illustrated hardcover book with over 250 images showcasing the fascinating people, places and events of this region over more than 300 years. His books are available on his website at www.GenePisasale.com and also on www.Amazon.com. Gene can be reached via e-mail at [email protected].