Elkins Estate
Encyclopedia
Elkins Estate is a 42 acres (169,968.1 m²) estate located in Elkins Park, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
. The estate contains five buildings, the most notable being Elstowe Manor and Chelten House, both Horace Trumbauer
designed mansions. Elstowe Manor was the summer home of William L. Elkins
, a prominent Philadelphian businessman who was integral in the formation of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company and SEPTA.
. The home is anchored on either side by a large library and drawing room. Between these rooms are two wings, one containing a breakfast room and dining room and the other containing a billiard room and den with a separate wing leading to a large gallery. These wings all lead to a grand staircase in the center of the house. The second floor has nine bedrooms, three dressing rooms and seven baths. The third floor and raised basement is where the servant quarters are located. With the mansion Trumbauer also designed the wrought iron gates at the entrance of the estate along with a small gatehouse, a powerhouse and an eight car garage.
style. The house was situated on a large, balustraded
terrace which allows for outdoor living space. The first floor of the house is composed of local Wissahickon schist with the second and third floor are half-timbered with panels of pebbledash. The interior space is fashioned with a stucco
ed Gothic
tracery ceiling with Tudor
style paneling. Stables are located directly behind the house.
There was never any plan at any time to demolish the buildings.
From 1930? to 1948, Chelten House was owned by Philadelphia Cigarette Manufacturer, Stephen X. Stephano. After the death of his wife Penelope he sold Chelten House to the Dominican Sisters.
Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
Montgomery County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, in the United States. As of 2010, the population was 799,874, making it the third most populous county in Pennsylvania . The county seat is Norristown.The county was created on September 10, 1784, out of land originally part...
. The estate contains five buildings, the most notable being Elstowe Manor and Chelten House, both Horace Trumbauer
Horace Trumbauer
Horace Trumbauer was a prominent American architect of the Gilded Age, known for designing residential manors for the wealthy. Later in his career he also designed hotels, office buildings, and much of the campus of Duke University...
designed mansions. Elstowe Manor was the summer home of William L. Elkins
William Lukens Elkins
William Lukens Elkins was an American businessman, inventor, and art collector.-Career:Although his father was a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, William Elkins was born in Wheeling, West Virginia. He started his working life at a grocery store in Philadelphia where his family had returned to...
, a prominent Philadelphian businessman who was integral in the formation of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company and SEPTA.
Elstowe Manor
The 45 room Manor was built in the style of Italian High RenaissanceRenaissance architecture
Renaissance architecture is the architecture of the period between the early 15th and early 17th centuries in different regions of Europe, demonstrating a conscious revival and development of certain elements of ancient Greek and Roman thought and material culture. Stylistically, Renaissance...
. The home is anchored on either side by a large library and drawing room. Between these rooms are two wings, one containing a breakfast room and dining room and the other containing a billiard room and den with a separate wing leading to a large gallery. These wings all lead to a grand staircase in the center of the house. The second floor has nine bedrooms, three dressing rooms and seven baths. The third floor and raised basement is where the servant quarters are located. With the mansion Trumbauer also designed the wrought iron gates at the entrance of the estate along with a small gatehouse, a powerhouse and an eight car garage.
Chelten House
In 1896 Elkins commissioned Horace Trumbauer to build a home on the estate for his son, George W. Elkins. This mansion, Chelten House, was built in the ElizabethanElizabethan architecture
Elizabethan architecture is the term given to early Renaissance architecture in England, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. Historically, the period corresponds to the Cinquecento in Italy, the Early Renaissance in France, and the Plateresque style in Spain...
style. The house was situated on a large, balustraded
Baluster
A baluster is a moulded shaft, square or of lathe-turned form, one of various forms of spindle in woodwork, made of stone or wood and sometimes of metal, standing on a unifying footing, and supporting the coping of a parapet or the handrail of a staircase. Multiplied in this way, they form a...
terrace which allows for outdoor living space. The first floor of the house is composed of local Wissahickon schist with the second and third floor are half-timbered with panels of pebbledash. The interior space is fashioned with a stucco
Stucco
Stucco or render is a material made of an aggregate, a binder, and water. Stucco is applied wet and hardens to a very dense solid. It is used as decorative coating for walls and ceilings and as a sculptural and artistic material in architecture...
ed Gothic
Gothic architecture
Gothic architecture is a style of architecture that flourished during the high and late medieval period. It evolved from Romanesque architecture and was succeeded by Renaissance architecture....
tracery ceiling with Tudor
Tudor style architecture
The Tudor architectural style is the final development of medieval architecture during the Tudor period and even beyond, for conservative college patrons...
style paneling. Stables are located directly behind the house.
Ownership after Elkins
In 1932 William H. Elkins, grandson of William L. Elkins, sold the property to the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine de' Ricci. The Sisters operated both buildings as a women’s religious retreat and preserved the grounds and historical integrity of the buildings. Thousands of women and men attended retreats, days of prayer and other spiritual programs for 75 years. In February, 2009, the Dominican Sisters sold the property to the Land Conservancy of Elkins Park, PA. who intended to use the facility for wellness retreats and hosted events. The property was reopened as Elkins Estate and has hosted a number of wedding receptions and events. In November, 2010, the Dominican congregation foreclosed on the property, since they held the mortgage and Land Conservancy of Elkins Park filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The property is in bankruptcy reorganization as of December, 2010.There was never any plan at any time to demolish the buildings.
From 1930? to 1948, Chelten House was owned by Philadelphia Cigarette Manufacturer, Stephen X. Stephano. After the death of his wife Penelope he sold Chelten House to the Dominican Sisters.