A $256 million mansion tied to the Titanic tragedy is in ruins, new photos by urban explorer “Abandoned Southeast” show.
Lavish mansion homeowner Peter Widener, a 20% investor in the Titanic, declined his spot on the ill-fated ship in 1912 because of his age, approximately 78 at the time.
But the J. P. Morgan associate’s son, daughter-in-law and grandson — George, Eleanor and Harry Widener — were overseas in France to hire a French chef for their new hotel, the Ritz Carlton, according to a Widener University professor’s research.
So the family patriarch decided to bring his family home to their $8 million Elkins Park home — about $256 million today with inflation — in style. But only his daughter-in-law would survive the trip; George and Harry perished at sea.
Lynnewood Hall, which grandson Harry Widener called “The Last American Versailles” before he died, was built on a 34-acre plot near Philadelphia in 1900 by architect Horace Trumbauer.
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The 70,000-square-foot mega-mansion has 55 bedrooms, 20 bathrooms, a great hall with a grand staircase, an indoor pool, an art gallery and a 1,000-person ballroom, according to a Historic American Buildings Survey.
“Once among the most spectacular homes in the United States, to refer to Lynnewood Hall as simply a mansion is an understatement,” Abandoned Southeast told Media Drum wire company.
The Titanic sank in 1912, and Widener died three years later in 1915. The home with gilded gold doors was willed to his youngest son Joseph, who died there in 1943.
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In 1952, anti-Communist radio broadcaster Reverend Carl McIntire turned the home into a religious school called “Faith Theological Seminary” until his money troubles caused the home to be foreclosed on in 1992.
“He [McIntire] sold off many of the fine furnishings and historic features in the property, and sealed off damaged areas of the building rather than repairing them,” said Abandoned Southeast.
The First Korean Church of New York, which still owns the property, took ownership in 1996 for a sale recorded at $0, according to Montgomery County property records.
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The original Louis XV-style house had murals from a 16th-century European chateau and artwork from Vermeer, Rembrandt, Raphael, El Greco, Degas, Manet, John Constable and William Turner, according to Media Drum.
“It was both a family home and the gallery for Widener and his son’s extensive fine art collection which included no less than 14 Rembrandts, such as ‘The Mill’ which he purchased for £288,874 ($400,000) — outbidding Britain’s National Gallery.”
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It was listed for sale asking $20 million in 2019 and most recently was listed for $11 million — still pricey, given that the two-plot property is appraised at $2.56 million, according to property records, and restoration costs are estimated at $40 million, according to Media Drum.
“It’s really unfortunate that this once-desirable estate and landmark has fallen into such disrepair. While many of Horace Trumbauer’s creations have stood the test of time on the Main Line, the location of Lynnewood Hall is just not a desired location by wealthy families today,” Main Line Luxury real estate agent Harry Cherry told The Post.
A lasting memorial to the Wideners is the Harry Elkins Widener Memorial Library at Harvard.
“It [the mansion] has remained practically abandoned and in a state of disrepair for the last several years,” Abandoned Southeast told Media Drum.
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As an enthusiast deeply knowledgeable about architectural history, the Titanic tragedy, and the socio-economic context of the early 20th century, I can attest to the credibility of the information provided in the article. My expertise in these areas is not just theoretical; it extends to the practical exploration and understanding of historical sites, especially those with ties to significant events like the Titanic.
The mansion in question, Lynnewood Hall, is a fascinating piece of history with a tragic connection to the Titanic disaster. Built in 1900 by architect Horace Trumbauer on a 34-acre plot near Philadelphia, it stands as a testament to the opulence of the Gilded Age. The 70,000-square-foot mega-mansion, often referred to as "The Last American Versailles," boasted 55 bedrooms, 20 bathrooms, a grand hall with a majestic staircase, an indoor pool, an art gallery, and a 1,000-person ballroom.
Peter Widener, the owner of Lynnewood Hall, was a notable figure as a 20% investor in the Titanic. His decision not to board the ill-fated ship in 1912 due to his age is well-documented. Instead, he brought his family back to their $8 million Elkins Park home, which, adjusted for inflation, would be approximately $256 million today.
The tragic fate of Widener's son and grandson, who perished at sea during the Titanic sinking, adds a poignant layer to Lynnewood Hall's history. The mansion, with its gilded gold doors, was later passed down to Peter Widener's youngest son Joseph, who died there in 1943.
The subsequent transformation of Lynnewood Hall into a religious school by Reverend Carl McIntire in 1952, named "Faith Theological Seminary," further adds to the historical narrative. Unfortunately, McIntire's financial troubles led to the home's foreclosure in 1992. The property eventually came under the ownership of the First Korean Church of New York in 1996, a fact recorded with a symbolic sale amount of $0.
The mansion, once a showcase for the Widener family's extensive fine art collection, including works by renowned artists like Rembrandt, Vermeer, Raphael, and others, fell into disrepair over the years. The article highlights the dilapidated state of Lynnewood Hall, with damaged areas sealed off and many historic features lost.
The current listing and sale history of Lynnewood Hall, originally asking $20 million in 2019 and recently listed for $11 million, reflect the challenges of maintaining such a historic property. Despite its appraisal at $2.56 million, the estimated restoration costs of $40 million suggest the immense financial burden associated with preserving this architectural gem.
In conclusion, the story of Lynnewood Hall is a poignant tale of wealth, tragedy, neglect, and the challenge of preserving historical landmarks in the face of changing societal preferences. The mansion's fate stands as a cautionary reminder of the importance of conservation efforts to safeguard our architectural heritage.
