Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens - a must-see in Akron

The Manor House

AKRON — Back in 1910, the co-founder of the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, F.A. Seiberling, began purchasing land in Portage Township. It was mainly a farming area on the west side of Akron. Seiberling and Gertrude, his wife, wanted to build a home spacious enough to support their brood and extended family. They also intended to turn the house into a center for entertainment and events for the greater Akron community.

The couple named the house Stan Hywet, which means “stone quarry” in Old English. Its construction started in 1912. The family then moved there in December 1915.

After the death of Seiberling in 1955, Stan Hywet became a non-profit historic house museum. The house opened its door for the public for educational purposes. Currently, Stan Hywet is open to the public for tours from Tuesday to Sunday, from April to December.

The 70-acre Stan Hywet comprises the Manor House, the gardens, the Corbin Conservatory, the Gate Lodge, and the Carriage House. The complex is Akron’s first and largest National Historic Landmark, and the house is the 6th largest historic home open to the public. The American Alliance of Museums has accredited the estate.

Stan Hywet has also received numerous awards. These include several Zenith Awards for various categories, Best of the Best Award by the Best Historic Home in 2016, Best Historic House Tour in 2015 by USA today, and several others. The Stan Hywet Hall and Garden has also been named Travellers’ Choice in 2020 by Tripadvisor.

Reviewers on Tripadvisor recommend going here in Winter. Joe A, for example, wrote on Tripadvisor, “My last visit to Stan Hywet was in the 1980’s. Had an opportunity to be back in Akron and decided that it was past time to return. Christmas is a perfect time to visit. Not only is the home beautiful and the decorations are fantastic, but the home is filled with family furnishings. Family photos in the rooms give a fascinating look into family life.”

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