“ENTERTAINING: You’re Invited”
A special exhibit at Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens.
STAN HYWET (pronounced Stan HEE-wit)
Is Old English which loosely translates to “stone hewn” or “stone-quarry”.
If you have never had the opportunity to tour this grand home or stroll through the beautiful gardens, you should really find the time to take a road trip to Akron, Ohio. Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens was once the personal home of The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company co-founder F.A. Seiberling, his wife Gertrude and their children. Built in a beautiful Tudor Revival style, Stan Hywet is the 6th largest historic house open to the public.
This year, Stan Hywet Hall & Garden’s special exbibit, “Entertaining: You’re Invited”, invites you to learn more about the Seiberling family, the domestic staff and the amount of work it took to host the family’s special gatherings and social events at the home from 1915 through the 1930’s.
As you make your way through the tour, you will learn how each of the rooms were used for family gatherings and entertaining guests. Family weddings were held in the Music Room, the West Porch was used for Garden Parties, the Solarium was where family and guests would gather to play card games, and the Great Hall, located in the center of the home, was the ideal location to host numerous events and functions.
After touring the Billiard Room and F.A. Seiberling’s office, I found myself wondering how many games of pool and cigars were smoked over the years and what did the men all talk about back then? Did guests also get to enjoy “The Plunge”? (I will let you find out what the “Plunge” is when you visit.)
With so many functions and the family to take care of, did the domestic staff find anytime to rest? There are after all 21,455 panes of glass that at some point are going to need to be cleaned and 23 fireplaces to take care of.
Throughout the tour you will find located in each of the rooms, notes and historic anecdotes, as well as a glimpse into the important roles the domestic staff played in helping orchestrate the various events behind the scenes. When you visit the Library you will see the Parlor Maid sprucing-up the room, in the Dining Room you will see a waitress ready to receive her next instructions, in the Colonial Guest Bedroom, a nurse is tending to a baby, and in the Adam Guest Bedroom, the Housemaid has stripped the beds and has already laid out the fresh linens.
There are so many unique features that can be found throughout the home. I especially like Gertrude’s special “chaperone window” located in the Master Bedroom and the two sleeping porches located on each wing of the home. How many families can say they have a “Communication Hallway” or a special room just for flower arranging? Did I mention there are 3 elevators, including one electric passenger elevator?
Although, I have toured the home numerous other times, this special exhibit offers a different prospective. It really highlights the domestic staff and how important their roles were to the family and to the guests that were entertained at Stan Hywet.
ABOUT THE MANOR HOUSE:
The motto of the house is ‘Non Nobis Solum’. When translated it means “Not For Us Alone”.
Style: Tudor Revival
The home is 64,500 sq. feet (equivalent of 1 football field).
18 bedrooms, 23 bathrooms
23 fireplaces
The estate employed 16-20 domestic employees and 9-12 estate employees
Stan Hywet Hall opened to the public as a museum in 1957.
THE FAMILY
F.A. & Gertrude Seiberling lived in the home from 1915-1955.
The Seiberling’s had seven children.
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company was founded in 1898, by F.A. and his brother C.W. Seiberling.
In 1921 the company became the largest producer of tires in the world.
THE GROUNDS
During your visit you are invited to tour the many gardens located on the estate, including the Japanese Garden, the Rose Garden, the English Garden, and the Great Garden. A tour of the grounds would not be complete without a stroll through the 500-foot-long Birch Tree Allée to the Tea Houses.
Also, open to the public is the Corbin Conservatory, which is a historic reproduction of the original conservatory and greenhouses. The Lagoon, the West Terrace and Overlook are additional places to explore on the estate.
MY OHIO FUN ROAD TRIP NOTES:
Before you go:
Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens – 714 North Portage Path, Akron, Ohio
330-836-5533 | stanhywet.org
Stan Hywet is one of the finest examples of Tudor Revival architecture in America. The historic 65-room mansion sits on more than 70 acres of artfully landscaped gardens and grounds.
To tour the home and all the gardens, I would suggest allowing at least a minimum 4 hours.
If you can purchase your tour tickets online. Parking is free.
Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens is open for tours Tuesday through Sunday from 10am-6pm; the last admission is at 4pm. Hours change in December.
Visitors can opt for a self-guided tour or one of the guided tours offered throughout the season, which include a Guided Manor House Tour and the Nooks & Crannies Tour, which will launch in June. Visit stanhywet.org for additional details.
Masks are currently optional. (Check stanhywet.org for any updates.)
Restrooms are available in the Carriage House, Corbin Conservancy and in the lower level of the Manor House.
Not all parts of the tour are handicapped accessible. Accessibility guides are available at admissions. Tram service is available between buildings, upon request.
There is a gift shop and café’ on the grounds. Molly’s Shop & Café is open Tuesday-Sunday, 10am-5pm. It is located next to the carriage house. Light refreshments are offered in the café’.
Family-friendly activities are also available, including their Joe’s Adventure Guide to explore the estate inside and out. Available at admission.
Stan Hywet has an Interactive Trail Map. The app gives guests access to digital content right on their phones about the flora, fauna and history of the estate through a series of “trails” related to the estate’s past and present.
What to bring:
A camera. (Flash and video are not allowed in the home.) I suggest you wear appropriate shoes for any outdoor walking in the gardens. Some stone pathways can be slippery when wet. Guests are welcome to bring a picnic lunch to enjoy on the grounds. (No alcohol.)
Upcoming 2022 Special Events:
Yoga on the West Terrace: Monthly May-Sept.
Founder’s Day Weekend: June 10-12 (Celebrate the 87th anniversary of the founding of Alcoholics Anonymous in Stan Hywet’s Gate Lodge.
Father’s Day Car Show: June 19
Base Ball Akron Cup: July 9-10
Off the Vine: July 22
Molto Bella Auto Show: Sept 11
Ohio Mart: Oct 6-9
Murder in the Mansion: Select dates in Oct. and Nov.
Veterans Day: Nov 11 (free admission for veterans)
Deck the Hall: Nov 25-Dec 30
Visit stanhywet.org for additional information.
SEIZE THE DAY!
Before or after your tour, why not take time and explore a few other notable places around Akron.
Akron Art Museum – One South High, Akron, Ohio
Akron Zoo – 500 Edgewood Ave., Akron, Ohio
Hale Farm & Village – 2686 Oak Hill Rd., Bath
Hower House Museum – 60 Fir Hill, Akron OH
Perkins Stone Mansion – 550 Copley Rd., Akron
Driving miles to Stan Hywet:
From Charleston, WV – 219 miles
From Cincinnati – 235 miles
From Chicago, ILL – 362 miles
From Cleveland – 35 miles
From Columbus – 130 miles
From Detroit, MI – 185 miles
From Pittsburgh, PA – 120 miles
From Toledo – 135 miles
Where to stay:
You can find plenty of accommodations around Summit County. Chain hotels and bed & breakfasts. Our friends at the Akron/Summit County Convention & Visitors Bureau are happy to assist you in finding the best accommodations for your visit.
Pictured above: The Dining Room has been set with the Seiberling’s 50th anniversary china.
Article and photos, unless noted by: D. Rock, MyOhioFun.com
Diane Rock is the owner and editor of MyOhioFun.com, NorthernOhioTourism.com and the Tea Cup Rescue Society. She is an avid baker, gardener, Little Free Library owner, who loves to read and travel. She spends most of her days sharing her love of things to do in Ohio, as well as creating destinations and itineraries for group tours and individual travelers.
Follow us on Instagram #MyOhioFun.
Editor’s note: Any use of the above article or images without prior permission, will be in violation of copyright laws.
My review of the new exhibit at Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens.
Disclosure: I was given complimentary tickets to view the exhibit and grounds. All opinions are my own.
***Disclosure: My Ohio Fun receives compensation from advertising banners. As always, all opinions are 100% my own.***