Lynnwood

            Lynnwood

Suzanne Marsh

April 15, 1912

OVER THOUSAND LOSE LIVES AS THE TITANIC FLOUNDERS

Peter Widener opened his Philadelphia Inquirer and was greeted by the headline, he felt as if his whole world had just collapsed. George, his son Harry and George’s wife Eleanor were on board Titanic. He hurried through the main hall into his office in Lynnwood Hall. ‘Dear God, please spare my son and grandson’ he prayed silently. He placed a call to the White Star line in New York City, where the doomed ship was bound for The voice on the other end of the phone informed him that his wife was safe, but his son and grandson were lost at sea.. He could feel the tears welling in his eyes, as he swiped them away. He called the railroad requesting that a private car be standing by for his daughter-in-law Eleanor Elkins Widener. It was indeed a dark day for Peter Widener and his family. He roamed the halls of Lynnwood most of the day, nothing would sooth the horror he felt for his son and grandson. Neither body was ever found, Peter died at the age of eighty on November 13, 1915, his son Joseph inherited Lynnwood Hall. Over the years Lynnwood Hall became a large liability to the Joseph Widener, his children did not want the it. It was abandoned in 1943.

1941

“The deceased, Joseph Widener has left Lynnwood Hall to his children.” The attorney announced. The children stood together: “we don’t want Lynnwood Hall the upkeep alone is

a small fortune.” Joseph willed the paintings in the art gallery to the National Gallery in Washington, D.C. There was nothing to do now except abandon Lynnwood Hall. Lynnwood Hall, became a strange attraction. Most curious folks wanted to see inside this estate, the house sat. Most of the surrounding land was sold off leaving thirty three acres to surround the mansion.

1952

Faith Theological Seminary purchased it, Christian Theology was taught there, however, since the students were not charged enough the debt became to much for the Seminary. The First Korean Church of New York City took over.

2007

“How do you presume to enter this place? The wrought-iron gates are locked, there is a

caretaker and two dogs on sight.” I stated calmly to Sam, my blond haired girlfriend. I wanted to venture inside this beautiful mansion. I had been gathering information since my parents drove past the mansion when I was around ten. I was twenty now, still just as curious about the interior as I had been as a kid. What fascinated me more than anything else was the fact that two of the residents of Lynnwood Hall went down with the doomed liner Titanic. Theirs was a very wealthy family; somehow I sensed that as a photojournalist, with would be terrific opportunity to sell a story about Lynnwood Hall, now that it was abandoned. I had gotten permission to explore the house from the last known owner, First Korean Church of New York City.

Sam and I arrived at 920 Spring Avenue, in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania on a cold March day. We entered through a side door, that was used by the houses staff. The house, Lynnwood Hall was built between 1898 and 1900 for Peter AB Widener, Horace Trumbauer was the architect. The creaked as it opened, then we inside. I had made a list of things I wanted to see while w were there. Since I was at the time an architect student, I planned to do my thesis on Lynnwood Hall. The corridor we entered took us toward the kitchens. The dining room stopped us in our tracks, the chandeliers were gone, but the room was still opulent in its design. We then entered the breakfast room, French Languedoc marble fireplace, I could almost picture the Widener family sitting at a long mahogany table, Peter at the head, George, his wife Eleanor, and son Harry. Was it possible they might have been talking about their trip to Europe, to look for a chef for their hotel or maybe the trousseau for their daughter Josephine.

I located the library, which was what I had primarily come to see. I had waited four years to do so, now my patience would finally be rewarded! Sam and I just stood in awe, although the French Oak in the library was beautiful, the painted angels the were purchased from an Italian palace were breath taking. We stood in the library, which Peter had turned into a ballroom, actually the largest ballroom in Pennsylvania. I could picture the women in long flowing gowns, feathered boas of all colors to match. High button patent leather shoes. Men wearing swallow tail coats, white pique or linen shirts, roll collar waist coats, button boots and white kid gloves. Dancing to ragtime music. The musicians in the corner. Champagne in fluted glasses. They would have been dancing to ragtime music such as the Maple Leaf Drag. We closed the doors to the ballroom, with tears in our eyes for this beautiful piece of history just sitting there vacant.

Sam pulled out the list next was the art gallery, of course the paintings were gone but the gallery itself was till intact. I could imagine the works of Rembrant, Raphael, and Van Dyke hanging on two foot thick concrete walls, diffused skylights casting light on the paintings. How I wished I had been able to walk the gallery, to see these paintings, most of which were donated to the National Art Gallery.

We came down the servants stairs into the smoking room, that was not of much interest since the Lincoln couch had already been sold off. The bathroom behind the hidden door was still in fairly good condition, it was mostly marble. I could only imagine George sitting in the smoking room on the blazing red Lincoln couch, talking business. The women were not allowed in the smoking room, Sam thought that was not very nice, however equal rights for women was another seventy years away.

We next went into the grand hall, the black and white checker hall was grand. The ceiling fixtures were beyond any description I could give. There was one last piece of standing furniture there it was a beautiful oak piece all hand carved.

Finally we descended the staircase that led to the basement. We found the remains of the swimming pool. There had been a bowling alley and billiard room the table still in tact. We also found a hidden room full of safes, I imagine there must have been jewels and a great deal of other items worth a great deal of money. We thought we had seen almost everything then we found an underground tunnel that led out into a garden.

The gilded age was perhaps one of the most intriguing times in history. Lynnwood Hall is now being restored through the Lynnwood Preservation Foundation, there is a great deal of restoration that has to be done, several million dollars in fact. This is such a beautiful piece of history, it should be saved for future generations.