Morris Arboretum & Gardens of the University of Pennsylvania recently shared photos and a brief history of Compton Mansion, the summer home of John and Lydia Morris.

From their post:

Designed by architect Theophilus P. Chandler, Jr. and constructed in 1888, it was a Gothic Revival-style mansion and carriage house. Lydia Morris requested that Compton be demolished after her death, but when she died in 1932, and when the Morris estate was acquired by the University of Pennsylvania in 1933, the mansion was repurposed to house faculty offices, lecture rooms, a library, and laboratories. After many years of structural decline, Compton Mansion was demolished 1968.

1. 1888: Early view of Compton Mansion, before trees were planted.
2. 1937: Compton with glass porch in the background. In the foreground is Lydia’s seat and Rock Wall Garden, constructed in 1924.
3. 1964: Foyer and staircase at Compton.
4. Unknown Date: Corner fireplace in Compton.
5. 1968: Compton on eve of demolition.
6. 1968: Compton demolition in September 1968.

For more on the mansion’s history, you can read Hidden City Philadelphia’s article here. For more on Morris Arboretum, you can visit their website here.

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