Once Upon a Mansion

Lynnewood Hall’s tragic tale may get its happily ever after, at last.

When I was a boy, my father would take me past the sprawling, archaic relic of Lynnewood Hall as we did errands. I remember being captivated by its eerie grandeur: the crumbling façade, hidden behind overgrown trees and deteriorating sculptures. This “American Versailles“, I was told, held secrets of a once-lavish past.

The Story of Lynnewood Hall

Completed in 1899, Lynnewood Hall was commissioned by the patriarch of Philadelphia’s prominent Widener family, Peter Arrell Brown Widener. “Peter A.B” as he was called, was a successful industrialist and art collector – and one of the richest Americans in history. Seeking a grand space for his renowned art collection, he hired the talented architect Horace Trumbauer, who designed the 110-room mansion in a neoclassical style. The mansion’s opulence included imported marble, a Florentine bronze entrance, and a Louis Comfort Tiffany skylight.

The grounds were spectacular, as well, with beautifully manicured gardens in the formal French-style, featuring works by famed sculptor Henri Léon Greber. The estate’s grandeur was not just about luxury — it was a testament to the artistic and cultural ambition of the era. At its height, Lynnewood Hall housed an abundance of incredible masterpieces that would later find homes in the National Gallery of Art in DC.

This extravagant lifestyle met with tragedy in 1912 when Peter A.B.’s son George and grandson Harry perished on the Titanic, a loss from which the family never recovered. The house remained in the Widener family until 1943, when Peter A.B.’s remaining son Joseph died and the property was sold (with many family treasures auctioned off). From here, the mansion went through a number of changes over the decades.

During WWII, the grounds were used to train military dogs. In 1952, the property was purchased by Faith Theological Seminary, who sold off significant parts of the mansion’s interiors to fund their work educating Christian ministers. After about 40 years, the First Korean Church of New York acquired the property in 1996. Despite their ownership, the mansion continued to decline, and iconic pieces like the Greber Fountain were sadly auctioned off, and lost to other cities across the country.

Lynnewood Hall’s future seemed dismal until 2021 when the Lynnewood Hall Preservation Foundation organized to purchase the property, with the aim of restoring the house and grounds for the enjoyment of Cheltenham Township. In June 2023, they took ownership and activated their ambitious plan.

A New Chapter Awaits

Returning Lynnewood Hall to its former state of glory is a monumental challenge. With its state of disrepair, achieving a full restoration requires a multi-million-dollar investment — daunting in any economic climate. However, the mansion’s potential to serve as a cultural and historical landmark, drawing visitors and enriching the community, is immense. Lynnewood Hall’s fate could transform from that of a decaying icon into a vibrant piece of local heritage, preserving its beauty for generations to come.

Fun Facts About Lynnewood Hall

• Peter A.B Widener grew up poor, training as a butcher and growing his wealth from a government contract to supply mutton to Union troops in the Civil War.
• Lynnewood Hall was built on grief, after Peter A.B.’s wife Hannah Josephine Dutton suddenly died in her sleep on their yacht, where they were recuperating after losing their oldest son to typhoid fever at age 11.  He couldn’t bear to return to their Broad Street townhome without her, so he set about creating a “comfortable” family seat that would honor their legacy.
• It’s one of America’s largest homes, with over 70,000 square feet (more than twice as big as the White House!). It boasts 55 bedrooms, 20 bathrooms, and a ballroom large enough for 1,000 guests. It also had state-of-the-art lighting and ventilation, as well as its own electricity plant and reservoir!
• In its heyday, Lynnewood Hall relied on 37 permanent full-time staff members to run the mansion with an additional 60+ employees to care for the grounds.
• The butler’s kitchen has a huge hidden vault for the family silver, and a secret mezzanine where their extensive china collection was stored in beautiful built-in cabinetry. Throughout the mansion, there are numerous hidden doors, spaces, and other illusions.
  
• Peter A.B. Widener’s art collection was once appraised at $50 million. At one time, it was considered the world’s most important private collection of Gilded Age European masterpieces, including 14 Rembrandts and Raphael’s Little Cowper Madonna 
• The sculpture of “The Kiss” on display at Philadelphia’s Rodin Museum is actually a copy by Henri Léon Greber (who sculpted Lynnewood Hall’s famous fountain).
• Henri Léon Greber competed for France in the 1924 Summer Games back when Sculpting was an official Olympic sport (so was painting!).
• In 1972, Pennsylvania Military College changed to a civilian institution, and adopted the new name “Widener University” to honor the family’s substantial support for education and their philanthropic prominence in the area.
• Peter A.B. was grief-stricken when his son & grandson died on the Titanic, and his health deteriorated for three years until his death in 1915. Lynnewood Hall is rumored to be haunted by the ghosts of the three men, who remain the property’s eternal caretakers.

⚠️ A Call to Action

This historic treasure is not just a relic of the past — it’s a potential centerpiece of community pride. Its preservation could breathe new life into the region, offering educational, cultural, and historical opportunities for years to come. Save it. Don’t scrap it. Please click the links in this post to dive deeper into this fascinating local landmark.

LEARN MORE at lynnewoodhallpreservation.org, where they spell out their plan and provide lots of ways to get involved.

For great pics and videos, follow on Facebook, Instagram, and their YouTube channel. Unlock the full scoop on their Patreon, where ten bucks a month gets you full access to exclusive insider info and images (there’s also a great conversation going on Reddit). Donations of all amounts greatly appreciated (and they’re tax deductible!).

LYNNEWOOD HALL’S TOP TEN DESIGN FEATURES

1. Great Hall Enfilade – A breathtaking two-story room with columns, a checkered floor, and a decorative French Neo-Classical Revival ceiling. This space was designed to impress, offering sweeping views through adjoining rooms.
2. Opulent Ballrooms – With dark oak paneling, gilded accents, and ceiling details featuring sculpted faces and figures, the ballroom could hold up to 1,000 guests, epitomizing grandeur and luxury.
3. Carved Marble Fireplaces – Each major room has its own unique fireplace, including an all-white Louis XV-style mantel in the Widener bedroom, which adds warmth and an artistic focal point to the opulent interiors.
4. Reception Room with Gilded Oak Paneling – The Louis XV-style room features intricate dark oak walls with carvings and gilded details, creating a rich, opulent ambiance that reflects light from the grand mirrors and large windows.
5. Black Walnut Billiards Room – Done in the English style, this room has dark walnut wood finishes, a beautiful coffered ceiling, and carved details that give it a cozy, masculine feel, perfect for relaxation and entertainment.
6. Elegant Louis XVI Bathrooms – The bathrooms, especially Chamber C, are a masterpiece of style with purple and white veined marble sinks, gold fixtures, and mid-century lighting, showcasing luxurious details even in private spaces.
7. Grand Corinthian Columns and Portico – The iconic Corinthian columns at the front entrance, topped with a detailed pediment, provide a strikingly formal and classical appearance, reminiscent of ancient temples.
8. Ornate Ceilings and Gilded Details – Rooms throughout Lynnewood Hall have intricately designed ceilings and gilded moldings, often featuring egg-and-dart, dentil, and floral designs that add depth and elegance.
9. French-Inspired Landscaped Gardens – Originally redesigned by landscape architect Jacques Greber, son of sculptor Henri Léon Greber, combining nature with art in a serene European-inspired setting.
10. Caen Stone and Marble in the Grand Entryway – The entry hall features Caen stone and marble, setting an impressive tone for visitors and displaying the estate’s high-quality materials and craftsmanship.

This grandeur and excess embodies Lynnewood Hall’s historical legacy, showcasing the architectural finesse that defined its era. Today, Lynnewood Hall stands as a silent witness to Philadelphia’s gilded past.