Explore the Estate
This is an overview of the estate. There is much more to see.
Stan Hywet Beginnings
In 1910, F.A. Seiberling, co-founder of The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, began to purchase land in Portage Township, a farming area on the west side of the Akron city limits. Seiberling and his wife, Gertrude, wanted to build a home large enough for their growing brood and their extended family. They also wanted the house to function as a center for entertainment and events for the greater Akron community. They named it Stan Hywet, Old English for stone quarry — after the property’s most prominent natural feature. Seiberling hired architect Charles Schneider, landscape designer Warren Manning, and interior decorator Hugo Huber to create Stan Hywet. Construction began in 1912 and the Seiberling family moved to their new house in December, 1915. The Seiberlings enjoyed Stan Hywet Hall for the next 40 years —opening their doors countless times to the community, as well as marking family milestones throughout the estate.
The 70 acre Stan Hywet estate includes:
- 5 historic buildings
- 10 fully restored historic gardens
- collection and furnishings with 95% original to the estate
The Manor House is one of the finest examples of Tudor Revival architecture in America
The Seiberlings chose architect Charles S. Schneider to design Stan Hywet Hall for $150,000. Schneider and the Seiberlings traveled to England and visited well-known homes including Ockwells Manor in Berkshire, Compton Wynyates in Warwickshire and Haddon Hall in Derbyshire, influencing the design of Stan Hywet.
An enormous amount of detail went into building the 64,500 sq. ft. Manor House, including 3,000 separate blueprints and architectural drawings for its design. The groundbreaking took place in early 1912 and the family moved into the Manor House in December, 1915. To facilitate the delivery of massive quantities of building supplies, a railroad spur was created for transport onto the property. The Seiberlings lived in Stan Hywet Hall for 40 years.
The Seiberlings also hired Boston landscape architect Warren H. Manning and New York interior decorator Hugo F. Huber. For the interior of the house, many furnishings and pieces of art were purchased by Huber in New York, with additional pieces purchased by Huber and the Seiberlings on a trip to England in 1915.
For the exterior, Manning sought inspiration from the natural topography, with the idea that the landscape and house should complement each other. In addition, Manning and Schneider worked together to ensure that the house would be built on a location that would provide for five different overlooks of the Cuyahoga Valley, with allées that extended to allow views of the Lagoon and surrounding foliage.
The Manor House Collections
The Manor House is filled with treasures from around the globe; its rooms exemplify a minute attention to detail. With 21,455 panes of glass, 23 fireplaces as well as hand-carved paneling of oak, sandalwood and black walnut, it reflects the opulence of the early 20th century.
Every room tells its own story of the Seiberlings lifestyle — from the Billiard Room where Mr. Seiberling entertained his business associates and sealed deals over a brandy and good cigar, to the ornate Music Room with the beautiful and rich sound of the Aeolian Organ. It’s where famous celebrities like Will Rogers and Shirley Temple entertained the Seiberlings and their family and friends. About 95% of the furnishings are original to the Estate.
The Gardens at Stan Hywet
Each year thousands of visitors enjoy Stan Hywet’s artfully landscaped gardens and grounds. Originally a vast estate of more than 3,000 acres, the remaining 70 acres provide an aura of beauty and color that flow into the natural surroundings.
Designed between 1912 and 1915 by renowned American landscape architect Warren Manning, Stan Hywet’s grounds represent one of the finest remaining examples of Mr. Manning’s private work in the United States. In addition, the English Garden, redesigned by Ellen Biddle Shipman in 1929 (and restored in the 1990s) is one of the only Shipman gardens open to the public.
Warren Manning and Manor House architect Charles Schneider worked closely together, and the result is a remarkable blending of nature and architecture at Stan Hywet.
Each of the gardens at Stan Hywet provides its own magic and history for visitors. One of the most beloved is the English Garden, designed by pioneer female landscape architect Ellen Biddle Shipman.