The Historic Widener Mansion in Jenkintown, PA

This article is sponsored by the personal injury lawyers in Jenkintown, PA, from Monheit Law, who like to provide fun, educational places for families to visit near Jenkintown. 

Located just a few miles south of Jenkintown, Widener Mansion stands as a 110 room Neoclassical Revival building also known as Lynnewood Hall. The Mansion was constructed between 1897 and 1900 by architect Horace Trumbauer for philanthropist, politician, and financier Peter A. Widener. The Gilded Age Mansion makes its mark as one of the largest preserved homes in all of Philadlephia, filled with private art collections of European decorative arts and masterpieces.

Widener and his son Joseph are responsible for establishing such a fine, valuable collection of art when they inhabited the mansion. Since Peter Widener's death in 1915, the mansion was managed by a few different owners, with portions of the estate's grounds sold off throughout the years. After a religious group purchased it in 1952, the mansion has mostly remained vacant.

Art Collection

Throughout Widener's life, he collected a variety of artwork, sculptures, decorative pieces, and more. The most prominent pieces showcased in his mansion are European paintings, oriental carpets, and Chinese porcelain. In 1940, a self-portrait, along with 2,000 sculptures, paintings, decorative art works, and porcelains in the Widener collection, was given to the National Gallery of Art by his son Joseph.

Originally, most of the collection was going to be displayed at the Philadlephia Museum of Art, but the National Gallery of Art seemed to be a better fit. A few paintings showcased at the museum include Raphael's Small Cowper Madonna, Bellini's The Feast of Gods, and a series of self-portraits by Reynolds and Gainsborough.

To learn more on what pieces of work are on display, visit the National Gallery of Art or head over to their website to read more.

See related articles on places our law office recommends to guests and locals in Jenkintown, like one of our favorite country clubs in the area.

Our Local Office

If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident that was caused by the negligent actions or omissions of another individual, company, or both, you may be entitled to substantial compensation. Contact our Jenkintown, PA, personal injury lawyers to schedule your free case evaluation.