Non Nobis Solum: Tudor Splendor in West Akron

This morning I decided to think Spring and put together an entry on warmer thoughts.

West Akron was home to many of city's elite families as the area prospered early in the Industrial Era and became the Rubber Capital of the world. F.A. Seiberling, the founder of Goodyear, built his spacious mansion, Stan Hywet (map, website), here and a century later the grounds are one of the tourist highlights of the Akron area (see above-left, click to enlarge).

One of the most photographed grounds (several coffee table books can be purchased) of any property, the house and surrounding gardens attract thousands each year. Whether visiting the grand home alone or coupling a visit with many of the themed events throughout the year, the grounds are a striking display of architecture and nature blending harmoniously together (see grape arbor to right, click to enlarge).


Originally the estate ran as far as the eye could trace to the north through what is today the Cuyahoga Valley National Park system (see left, click to enlarge). Thankfully today the grounds are much smaller, allowing the visitor to wander a reasonable distance. There are many opportunities to follow paths through the woods and it is hard on one visit to take all of the grounds in (see right, click to enlarge).

As the seasons of Northeast Ohio allow, repeat visits to the grounds reveal different looks at different times. Lush green leaves give way to the reds and oranges of autumn. Climbing vines with over-sized leaves and create the fairy-tale feeling (see right, click to enlarge).





Listed on the National Register of Historic Landmarks (about NRL, Stan Hywet listing), there is always a different look to the manor house depending upon your vantage point on the grounds (see left, click to enlarge).









The Carriage House contains a gift shop and bakery and is the entrance point for the grounds and tours of the house. It is shown left, peeking above the vast cutting garden between the grape arbor and manor house on the eastern side of the property.


The Conservatory recently played host to a butterfly exhibit (see collage right, click to enlarge) and contains a model train that runs both above and below eye level, even containing a mock blimp hangar mock-up.





There is always an angle, a cornice, a view to behold that keeps photographers clicking away. A view from the grape arbor (see left, click to enlarge) shows a view of two stone shelters that overlook the pond and scenic northern vista (see fourth photo from top of page).






Whether a stop in the water garden area (see right, click to enlarge) or a hidden shed that looks more like a cottage than storage area (see below-left, click to enlarge), there is much to take in on the grounds and never enough time to take.






But thankfully the Seiberling family has left this jewel for us to visit time again. As is etched above the doorway entrance to the home (which serves as the family motto), non nobis solum, Stan Hywet is not for us alone.

- J.