How about the house that built the Wagner? It could be saved and it could be yours...
This will be a bit of a sad post in my humble opinion. As a lover of history I find it very depressing to see historical items & places fade away or fall into utter ruin. This feeling of melancholy is only compounded when it happens to be in my back yard, and connected to a hobby or personal interest of mine. This is the case with a local Philadelphia landmark Lynnewood Hall.
Once the home of Peter Arrell Brown Widener a successful business man and philanthropist.
Widener by John Singer Sargent
Widener was known for starting the Philadelphia Traction Company along with his business partner William Lukens Elkins which was instrumental in the public transit of the day street cars. Widener used the capital from this venture to help found two major known companies U.S. Steel and The American Tobacco Company.
As collectors of pre-war cards the latter company hits close to home for many of us. The ATC was instrumental in the production of such brands as Goodwin & Company, Allen & Ginter, Kinney, W.Duke & Sons, Drummond, Kimball, Piedmont, Sweet Caporal, American Beauty etc. Of course over the years these brands issued many of the premiums, advertising items and cards we collect today.
A collector himself Widener amassed one of the greatest art collections of the time. It included works by Rembrandt, Manet, Renoir, Hals and many other greats. Much of this collection amounts to a good chunk of the National Gallery’s art collection today.
Widener died at the age of 80 in 1915. Succeeded by his youngest son Joseph Early Widener. Interesting note Peter's oldest son George Dunton Widener perished aboard the RMS Titanic in 1912 along with his business partner’s daughter Eleanor Elkins who had married George Widener. Both men lost their own children and their mutual grandson that day.
Widener by Augustus John
Joseph was a founding benefactor of the National Gallery of art as well an avid and influential player in thoroughbred horse racing.
Considered by many to be one of the largest surviving “Gilded Age” mansions in North America. Having had several owners who have dismantled, sold and rented out the grounds for various local area activities thru the years. Lynnewood Hall is falling apart and is all but a shadow of its former self.
The last owner had the property foreclosed on and it was purchased by The First Korean Church of New York, Inc. who owns the building today. A multitude of lawsuits, litigation have surrounded the property. Also locally it’s surrounded by gossip and stories as to the current state of interior as the current owner will allow no one inside or photos to be taken. This year the property was listed for sale.
http://www.realtor.com/realestateand...992?source=web
Perhaps it will be sold and restored to it's former glory. Though the home of the man who helped build the empire that spawned many of the cards we collect today may be falling down. It’s of some comfort to think his companies inserts and marketing materials are being preserved and cherished today by so many.