Lynnewood Hall, often referred to as the "American Versailles," is one of the most magnificent Gilded Age mansions ever built in the United States. Constructed between 1897 and 1900 for industrialist Peter A.B. Widener, this 110-room estate in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania, stands as a symbol of both opulence and architectural brilliance.

Widener moved to Lynnewood Hall after selling his original city mansion in 1900, located at the intersection of Broad Street and Girard Avenue. His new country estate, designed by the young but immensely talented architect Horace Trumbauer, was modeled after Prior Park, a Palladian palace in Bath, England. At just 29 years old, Trumbauer created what became one of the most impressive homes in America, complete with formal French gardens designed by landscape architect Jacques Gréber.

Inside Lynnewood Hall, Widener housed his world-class art collection, which included masterpieces by Raphael, Rembrandt, Vermeer, and more. He had the home built with innovative technology for the time, including a lighting system that used diffused skylights and adjustable fins to direct sunlight perfectly onto the artwork.

One of the mansion’s many intriguing secrets is a private safe room hidden behind the butler’s pantry. This room, not shown on the blueprints, contained fourteen velvet-lined safes, leaving much to the imagination about what treasures were once stored there. Widener's wealth was primarily built on the streetcar system in Philadelphia. Alongside his business partner and neighbor, William L. Elkins, he created the Philadelphia Traction Company, converting horse-drawn trolleys to electric ones, revolutionizing public transportation and solidifying his family's legacy. As Lynnewood Hall’s future continues to evolve, its rich past still captivates historians, architects, and the public alike. The estate remains a grand reminder of Philadelphia’s Gilded Age and the Widener family’s enormous impact on the city.

Interested in experiencing the magic of Lynnewood Hall for yourself? Join us at the Beaux Arts Ball, what’s guaranteed to be *the* social event of the season. There will be costumes, immersive art installations, and trolleys shuttling guests to and from the estate, a nod to the very transportation system that built the Widener fortune. Attendees will gain exclusive access to the Lynnewood Estates, including areas that are not usually open to the public! Join us at the Beaux Arts Ball on November 2 at Lynnewood Hall for an exclusive peek at the inside of this Gilded Age mansion.