The children’s playhouse on the Frick Estate
October 28, 2019
My last day in Pittsburgh I ventured to The Frick – Pittsburgh. The Frick is the 6 acre property of wealthy industrialist, financier, union-buster, art collector (and I could go on and on) Henry Clay Frick . Henry, his wife Adelaide and their children lived in the 4 story family home , referred to as “Clayton” from 1882 – 1905. Photos were not allowed in the restored home but 90 percent of the interior ( furniture, wallpaper, draperies) were original. Some parts of the house showed a tad bit of its age, but the guided tour by a docent was very enjoyable and insightful as to the “guided age” and the family’s most interesting and gossip-worthy life . The guided age was the late 19th century when there was rapid economic growth and rapid expansion of industrialization.
Henry Clay Frick’s collection of Chinese porcelain, some dating back to 1662.
Besides the family mansion and the children’s playhouse, there is a cafe, a small art museum ( although the bulk of art collection is located at the ” Frick Collection”, now an art museum but originally the family’s New York home) and there was a……
Greenhouse and gardens….
Lantana
Hydrangea
an Allium of some sort
Gomphrena
Plus the Frick property had a Car and Carriage museum !
This red and blue beauty is a 1940 Bantam Roadster. Cost $445.00 Top speed was 43 mph and could travel 60 miles on a gallon of gasoline.
Model E Towing car from 1917. A gift to the museum.
Model A Roundabout from 1901, cost was $750 and top speed was 25 miles per hour. This car was a gift to the museum.
Stanley Steemer Model R Roadster from 9009, cost was $1350, and it could run on kerosene or water. The top speed was 70 miles per hour. This car was a gift to the museum.
Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost from 1914 at a cost of $4800. Henry Clay Frick ordered 3 of these for family use and each was highly customized, which could take up to 18 months in production.
Lincoln Model K, Sport Phaeton from 1931. Cost was $ 4600. This was one of several Lincolns that Henry Clay Frick owned during that era.
So that wraps up my Pittsburgh Adventure. I left Pittsburgh with fond memories and hopes to return again and see the sights that I missed. Lastly, I want to mention that Pittsburgh has two clear distinctions over any other city in the USA – it is the home of Mr. Fred Rogers and also where Henry John Heinz invented ketchup in 1876. Pittsburgh is home to the H. J. Heinz Headquarters and where you can also find Heinz chapstick in 4 different flavors – ketchup, mustard, pickle and 57 sauce. Admittedly I am a chapstick addict but, no, I could not bring myself to try any of these flavors.
Thanks for reading!
Hope you enjoyed!!
Jeannie's Travel Addiction 