All across the Pennsylvania landscape sit abandoned places – homes, barns, and buildings are crumbling and slowly being reclaimed by nature, but revealing little of their pasts. While we can wistfully wonder about the history of many of these abandoned places, there’s one majestic place that tells a tragic tale of heartache, loss, and hope. Of all of the abandoned mansions in Pennsylvania, this one also has ties to the ill-fated voyage of the Titanic.

Some tales were just meant to begin with "Once upon a time..."
Facebook/Lynnewood Hall
... and that’s precisely the case with Lynnewood Hall, a 110-room mansion nestled in Elkins Park, less than half an hour from Philadelphia.
Construction on this Gilded Age mansion began in the waning years of the 1800s, with the Widener family, led by patriarch Peter Widener, moving into the majestic home in 1900.
Facebook/Lynnewood Hall
Designed by architect Horace Trumbauer, Lynnewood Hall cost $8 million to build. Today, it is considered by many the last of Philadelphia’s Gilded Age mansions.
Within years of moving into the Philadelphia-area mansion, the Widener family faced unspeakable tragedy. Peter Widener’s son George, daughter-in-law Eleanor, and grandson Harry traveled to Paris in 1912.
Wikipedia/Public Domain
The Wideners had made the trans-Atlantic journey with the purpose of finding a chef for The Ritz Carlton, at that time a new hotel in Philadelphia. The photo above is of patriarch Peter Widener.
Together with two servants, the Widener family checked into their first-class accommodation on the Titanic.
Facebook/Lynnewood Hall
The plan was to make the return trip home to the United States. Only two would survive the journey. Above is a photo of Harry Widener.

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After the Titanic hit an iceberg on April 14, 1912, Eleanor and her servant sought refuge on one of the lifeboats while George, Harry, and their servant went down with the ship.
Wikipedia/Public Domain
Eleanor Widener (pictured above) went on to remarry, continued traveling the world, and died in Paris in 1937 when she was 76 years old.
Just two years later, Peter Widener would pass away at the age of 80. Ownership of Lynnewood Hall changed numerous times over the years, eventually being purchased by the First Korean Church of New York.
Facebook/Lynnewood Hall
Ownership of Lynnewood Hall changed hands numerous times over the years, eventually being purchased by the First Korean Church of New York.
Upkeep of the mansion, however, proved too steep, and Lynnewood Hall was eventually abandoned.
Facebook/Lynnewood Hall
Some hoped to have this historic mansion demolished and the area developed, but that all changed in 2023.
With the Lynnewood Hall Preservation Foundation at the helm, the Gilded Age mansion has been purchased. Plans, including fundraising, for restoring the home and gardens are currently underway.
Facebook/Lynnewood Hall
Learn more about the effort to restore Lynnewood Hall to its former glory on the Lynnewood Hall Preservation Foundation website. Or, stop by the Lynnewood Hall Preservation Foundation Facebook page.

Take a virtual tour of Lynnewood Hall with this YouTube Video, shared by Bros of Decay.

Have you ever heard about or visited Lynnewood Hall? If so, what did you think? Would you agree that is among the most interesting abandoned mansions in PA? Are you aware of any other abandoned mansions in PA? We’d love to read about your experiences in the comments section below!

If abandoned places fascinate you, be sure to ready all about this road trip to the most abandoned places in Pennsylvania.

For those who like to hike, you can find some great trails in the area by going to the AllTrails website.

If you’re still in the mood for more Pennsylvania adventures, take a look at this video:

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More to Explore

More to Love about Pennsylvania

Lysa Allman-Baldwin | October 08, 2023

Where can we find state parks in Pennsylvania?

  • Allegheny Islands State Park in Cheswick is a  43-acre state park only accessible by boat.
  • Ravensburg State Park along the Jersey Shore features a hiking trail, picnic spots, and campsites.
  • Erie Bluffs State Park in Lake City features soaring bluffs and fishing and boating opportunities.

Read on to learn more about some of the many other amazing state parks in Pennsylvania.

Where can we find abandoned towns in Pennsylvania?

  • Eckley - Located near Hazleton, it was originally a miner's town and holds a great deal of history about the Irish immigrants who lived and worked here.
  • French Azilum - Located in Wyalusing, refugees who fled the French Revolution built the original settlement which once encompassed dozens of homes.
  • The Frick's Lock Historical District – Located in East Coventry, this once thriving village was abandoned after the construction of the Limerick Nuclear Power Plant.

Read on to learn more about some of the other abandoned towns in Pennsylvania.

Where can we find hiking trails in Pennsylvania.

  • The Raymondskill Creek Trail – Located in Dingman Township, this trail leads to Raymondskill Falls, the tallest waterfall in Pennsylvania.
  • The Copper Kettle Trail - Located in Somerset, it is only one-mile long and particularly beautiful in the wintertime.
  • The Chickies Rock Overlook Trail - Located in West Hempfield Township, this trail offers spectacular views of the Susquehanna River, is dog-friendly, and wide and gentle enough for strollers and those needing wheeled methods of movement.

Read on to learn more about some of the many other exciting hiking trails in Pennsylvania.

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Lynnewood Hall, Elkins Park, PA, USA