Glass Helped Build A Gilded Age Mansion In Pennsylvania - Cairnwood, Bryn Athyn

The Cairnwood Mansion is an L-shaped, Beau Arts gem designed by Carrere and Hastings nestled in the serene countryside. The 26,000 square-foot, 28-room mansion was built in 1895 for John Pitcairn, Jr, President of the Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company, and his family. The estate is located within the Bryn Athyn Historic District surrounded by some of the areas most remarkable architecture including the Gothic Romanesque style Bryn Athyn Cathedral and the Glencairn Museum. John and Gertrude’s inspiration for this community was the writings of Emanuel Swedenborg and a new approach to Christianity called the New Church. The philanthropy of the couple was vital to the success of the New Church community moving to the Philadelphia suburbs, paying for the schools and church buildings.

This is what caught my eye, I hope you enjoy!

Tours begin with an orientation video and some family history displayed in the former Garden House.

The sprawling grounds surrounding the mansion were originally designed by Olmsted, Olmsted and Eliot.

The mansion's facade boasts intricate detailing, with ornate turret and elegant archways hinting at its rich history.

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The carriage house complex near the entrance of the estate was built in 1911 to compliment the architecture of the main house. The carriage house contains collections of horse-drawn carriages and sleighs and a 1927 Packard. Unfortunately, during my vist it was not open.

The beautiful entrance gate adjacent to the carriage house complex.

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The Life and Times of John Pitcairn

By Walter C. Childs II

Bryn Athyn Cathedral: The building of a church

By Glenn, E. Bruce

Bryn Athyn Historic District

By Gyllenhaal, Ed, Hansen Gyllenhaal, Kirsten

A map of the area

Two other views of the mansion's facade

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The two-story Great Hall has a massive carved stone fireplace, an elegant staircase, and French doors which step out onto the terrace and South lawn.

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The elegant stairway to the second floor

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The cozy library lined with shelves of leather-bound books.

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The view from the library with Glencairn Museum in the distance.

Looking into the formal dining room

The fine woodwork can also be seen in the formal dining room

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Some of the second floor sitting and bedrooms

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The house is now a event venue and some of the rooms are used for guest preparation.

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In one of the former second floor bedrooms is memorabilia and history related to John, the son of Harold F Pitcairn, and his autogiro and interest in flight.

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Some rooms are filled with family memorabilia

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Some rooms filled with mansion and community history

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Inside the third floor tower chapel

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Looking up, you can see the windows of the tower chapel

Some of the items displayed in the staff rooms of the mansion. Pitcairn employed other church members as staff at the mansion.

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Some of the former farming buildings. Many of the estate outbuilding survive except for the greenhouses.

Another smaller home on the property

Today, the mansion is owned by the Academy of the New Church which conducts tours of the building that now serves as an event space.

What you should know:

• Public restrooms are available.

• Guided house tours can be booked through the website in advance.

• You could spend a couple of hours here on the tour and exploring the grounds.

• There is ample free parking on the estate.

• There are walking trails.

• Check the website for days and hours of operation, and to check for any special events.

Location: 1005 Cathedral Road, Bryn Athyn, PA. 190009

For more information: Cairnwood Estate