One of my favorite places since childhood is Clayton House in the East End of Pittsburgh, the home of the Frick family which now operates as a house museum. 
The estate houses a great art gallery and concert hall (free to the public), the house of course which is a wonderful example of wealthy victorian home life, an antique car & carriage collection in a newly remodeled building (which is really magnificent!), a great cafe, green house, and a great giftshop located in the former children's playhouse (in the bowling alley portion!). Seriously...the children's playhouse is a 1500 sf HOUSE. Don't you love the purple roof?! The style is referred to as victorian chateauesque -you can see why!
The estate houses a great art gallery and concert hall (free to the public), the house of course which is a wonderful example of wealthy victorian home life, an antique car & carriage collection in a newly remodeled building (which is really magnificent!), a great cafe, green house, and a great giftshop located in the former children's playhouse (in the bowling alley portion!). Seriously...the children's playhouse is a 1500 sf HOUSE. Don't you love the purple roof?! The style is referred to as victorian chateauesque -you can see why! The stair landing's stained glass copper clad bay window seen here over the porte cochere.
Helen Clay Frick died here in 1984 (moving 'home' from NYC to spend her last years) and left it to be refurbished as it was during her childhood. It's really a worthwhile place to visit! Each season it is redecorated with different family objects, my favorite are summer (awau with the heavy carpets and linen slipcovers for everything! and Christmas of course). I think I've toured the property well over 20 times over the past 15 years!
One of the entry gates is seen above, the estate is located across from one of the largest parks in Pittsburgh - Frick Park. Below is the caretakers cottage on the property which I've always just LOVED.
If you ever find yourself in Pittsburgh, visit Clayton House!
One of the entry gates is seen above, the estate is located across from one of the largest parks in Pittsburgh - Frick Park. Below is the caretakers cottage on the property which I've always just LOVED. If you ever find yourself in Pittsburgh, visit Clayton House!
Love the Clayton House. Pittsburgh has so many beautiful homes and many charming neighborhoods. I still miss my Mt Lebo home.
ReplyDeletethe frick's as in 'the fricks on
ReplyDelete5th ave' in nyc ??
what, was this their summer cabin ?
lol
I remember the mention of Frick Park and the Frick family in Annie Dillard's book called "An American Childhood" - have you read it?
ReplyDeleteWow...that's Gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteLove your blog it's so inspiring.
ATB, everyone loves pittsburgh who has lived there! I'm calling it America's most hidden gem of a city!
ReplyDeleteRenee, those are the same Fricks! They made their fortune in Pittsburgh and moved to NYC like a lot of industrialists. It was kept in the family and then Helen moved there in her old age (and even returned to have her debutant ball there!)
Kathleen, I'll have to check that book out!! I've heard it's great.
M -thank you so much!!
what a beautiful house. go pittsburgh!
ReplyDeleteStef-
ReplyDeleteThat was one of my favorite places to visit in Pittsburgh! I also love Frick Park and the Homewood Cemetery. Thanks for the reminder... I need to visit Pittsburgh this Spring!
that sure is an amazing looking gaff...
ReplyDeleteLovely home! You're inspiring me to break out my camera again. We have lots of beautiful homes in our area.
ReplyDeleteJust beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWow! That looks amazing, alomost woth a visit to Pittsburgh just to see it! It's beautiful! I'm interested now to learn more about the family, I might have to do some reading! Thanks for sharing this gem with us! Stunning!
ReplyDeletexoxo'Judith~