In all, there are seven gardens, each with its own theme and horticulturist. For now, view the interior online at the website. When COVID restrictions end, you can arrange a tour of the house. It’s a short hop to Chanticleer (786 Church Road, Wayne), a gem known primarily for its spectacular gardens. The southern view, with walkways, benches, lawn and trees, remains spectacular. The mansion was left to Easttown Township and since 2005, it’s been restored and is currently used as an event space. Sold in 1919, the estate later went into foreclosure during the Depression.ĭuring its next chapter, Hilltop House was owned by a Drexel University professor, whose wife was an heir to the Heublein Distillery fortune. Initially called Idlewild Farm, the mansion was built for chocolatier William Nelson Wilbur, son of the developer of those tasty Wilbur Buds. Hilltop House (570 Beaumont Road, Devon) is located on 23 sunny south-sloping acres. No longer commanding 76 acres, Grey Craig is now surrounded by modern homes, like too many of the mansions in the area. Although the land was taken over by a developer, the main house still stands and is a private residence. James’ son William and his wife were known to entertain there in a grand fashion befitting the mansion.Īfter William died, the mansion was to be sold to a junior college in 1968, but the sale fell through. Designed in 1902 by noted architect William Price, it was a hunting lodge for James Patterson, whose family founded the Patterson Whiting Paper Company. Grey Craigįirst stop is Grey Craig (680 Wetherby Drive, Devon)-with Romanesque, Gothic and Tudor elements and set on the crest of a hill on 76 acres. From there, we head east, visiting Wayne, Villanova, Bryn Mawr and Haverford. I hope you’ll join a more circumscribed driving tour focusing on what we’re calling “found” mansions: mansions that still exist and can be seen. (Register for this Chester County History Center-sponsored illustrated talk at .) For even more, there’s a second lecture on July 22nd, called “Back of the House and Beyond: The Millionaire’s Household, 1900–1942.” To get a more complete look at area mansions, join Jeff’s virtual tour on May 12, titled “Lost Mansions of the Main Line,” featuring 20 or so fabulous old estates. Jeff grew up on the Main Line and, for 40 years, he’s been studying the history and significant architecture of the area. I was able to enjoy just such a driving tour after Winterthur Museum’s estate historian, Jeff Groff, was kind enough to share his very particular expertise with me about Main Line mansions. A favorite pastime of many locals is to ogle grand old estates, especially those situated in leafy neighborhoods.
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