Lynnewood Hall, a historic Gilded Age mansion located in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania, has been acquired by the Lynnewood Hall Preservation Foundation (LHPF) with plans for extensive restoration. The 100,000-square-foot estate, once owned by industrialist Peter A.B. Widener, features 110 rooms, including 55 bedrooms, an art gallery, a swimming pool, and a grand ballroom.
Designed by architect Horace Trumbauer and constructed between 1897 and 1900 in the Neoclassical Revival style, Lynnewood Hall stands as the last surviving Gilded Age mansion in the Philadelphia area. Following Widener’s death in 1915, the property underwent various ownerships and periods of neglect.
The LHPF’s restoration plan is divided into three phases: initial stabilization and assessment, restoration of gardens and exteriors, and refurbishment of interiors. The foundation has already raised over $9 million for the purchase and anticipates annual maintenance costs of $1 million post-restoration.
Once restored, Lynnewood Hall is intended to serve the community as a center for education, inspiration, and recreation, preserving its historical significance for future generations.
