I recently took my first trip to Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens in Akron, Ohio. I now understand why so many different tour options are offered here. It would be easy to return here multiple times and see and learn something new during each visit!
Stan Hywet Hall is the name of the former estate of F.A. Seiberling and his family. Seiberling co-founded The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. The estate was constructed between 1912 and 1915, and the Seiberling family lived here until the 1950s. After that the hall was donated to a non-profit organization so that future generations could enjoy the majesty of this expansive home and the well-maintained gardens that surround it. Stan Hywet is Akron’s first and largest National Historic Landmark. It is among the Top 10 largest historic homes in the nation open to the public!
This year Stan Hywet celebrates its 100th anniversary. As part of that celebration, a special tour "Blueprints to Bricks: Manor House 100th Anniversary Tour" is being offered and explains how the estate was planned and constructed. A celebration is also planned for Sunday, August 16 and will feature food, vintage games, commemorative activities and more! For updates on these celebrations and other activities, visit Stan Hywet online or on Facebook.
The hall opened for the season on April 1 and will remain open through the end of the year. The hall is closed January through March each year for cleaning and restoration work. The hall is also closed on Mondays throughout the season.
I visited in early April at the start of the season. The hall was busy, but the gardens were just starting to wake up. I went on a self-guided tour which allowed ample time to explore each room at my own pace. There are docents throughout the hall which can answer questions and offer insight into the historic building, as well.
The workmanship at Stan Hywet is simply amazing! I was in awe of the ornate detail of the woodwork throughout the home. The home has been restored and preserved to showcase the era in which it was built. Fans of the British drama series, Downton Abbey, will likely particularly enjoy Stan Hywet, as it’s very reminiscent of the home featured on the television show. In fact the architecture of the hall was modeled after the style of many British manors of the time.
The room that was most memorable to me was “The Plunge,” which features the Seiberling family’s indoor pool. An actively lifestyle was a huge part of this family’s lifestyle, which I found interesting as someone passionate about my own health and fitness in 2015. Family members often slept outdoors on cool evenings on custom-built terraces, they playing sports and enjoying eating fruits and vegetables grown on the property.
And coming to Stan Hywet June 2 - September 20, 2015 is Bloom! - An exquisite 32 piece glass art installation by Craig Mitchell Smith. His stunning glass sculptures are created using kiln-formed glass, and he uses techniques that simulate brush strokes so it looks like he's "painting with glass."
Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens is located in Akron, Ohio. After my visit I stopped at The Merchant Tavern for dinner, and then at Pandora’s Cupcakes to pick up a treat for the road. Check out the Akron Summit Convention and Visitors Bureau for more suggestions on dining in Akron, along with activities to make your trip to Northeast Ohio into a weekend excursion!
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