Michael Leibrandt, an Abington Township resident, a member of the Old York Road and Wissahickon Valley Historical Societies, and a columnist with Glenside Local, published an article in The Philadelphia Inquirer titled “Touring Lynnewood Hall 125 years after it was built convinced me this is a preservation effort to support“.

Leibrandt runs through a brief history of the property, including the formation of the Lynnewood Preservation Society in 2018, followed by the Lynnewood Hall Preservation’s Foundation purchase in 2023.

An excerpt:

I can tell you that neither video nor photo can replicate the feeling of walking across the 1,000-person capacity ballroom and looking up at its spectacularly painted ceiling in person. Or exploring the grounds. The site is still breathtaking in scale, and it is impossible not to imagine the grand parties of the era that once took place inside and out.

Plenty of historic sites are restored in the United States each year, but the society’s vision was to return a significant portion of Lynnewood Hall’s 34 acres for the use of Cheltenham Township, as well as to make the house accessible to the public.

It isn’t merely a restoration, it’s a revival. Supporting the society’s effort to save Lynnewood Hall isn’t merely an opportunity, it is, in my opinion, an obligation for anyone who values Philadelphia history.

Just before the New Year, the LHPF posted a note to their donors, followers and advocates:

We are incredibly grateful for the myriad of ways so many of you have supported the efforts of Lynnewood Hall Preservation Foundation to see Lynnewood Hall have the opportunity to not only be preserved and restored, but to enter a new era that will allow everyone to be able to enjoy this historic estate.

At present, we are knee deep in fundraising, strategic planning, asbestos remediation, and grounds clean up; all of this is in effort to open our gates to you as soon as possible. While it may take a little time before we can be fully open to the public, we are pleased to offer more opportunities to our Lynnewood Hall community of supporters, which will be offered through our new Friends of Lynnewood Hall and Founder’s Circle Programs. Please visit link below for further information.

As we bring 2024 to a close, we ask that you consider making Lynnewood Hall a part of your philanthropy. Every contribution makes a meaningful impact as we steward Lynnewood Hall into its next chapter.

Please click on the following link to make your donation: https://lynnewoodhallpreservation.org/donate/

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Photo: LHPF