Elkins Park -- Chelten House

Object Details

General: Chelten House is part of the 42-acre Elkins Estate which includes Elstowe Manor, the home of William L. Elkins. Chelten House was commissioned by Elkins for his son George W. Elkins; it was designed by architect Horace Trumbauer. Now serving as a Roman Catholic retreat center, the property is surrounded by rolling lawns, flowering trees, and shrubs. There are lakes, outdoor stations of the cross, and various religious shrines. A greenhouse provides flowers and exotic plants throughout the year.; Persons associated with the property include: George W. Elkins (former owner, 1896-?); and Constantine Stephano (former owner, before 1949).

Place: Chelten House (Elkins Park, Pennsylvania); United States of America -- Pennsylvania -- Montgomery County -- Elkins Park

See more items in: Lewis & Valentine company records; Lewis & Valentine company records / Garden Images / United States of America / Pennsylvania

Collection Citation: Smithsonian Institution, Archives of American Gardens, Lewis & Valentine Company Records.

Collection Rights: Archives of American Gardens encourages the use of its archival materials for non-commercial, educational and personal use under the fair use provision of U.S. copyright law. Use or copyright restrictions may exist. It is incumbent upon the researcher to ascertain copyright status and assume responsibility for usage. All requests for duplication and use must be submitted in writing and approved by Archives of American Gardens. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.

Bibliography: Garden has been featured in Louise Carter Bush-Brown and James Bush-Brown, Portraits of Philadelphia Gardens (Philadelphia: Dorrance and Company, 1929), pp. 82-87. Garden has been featured in American Country Houses of Today (New York: The Architectural Book Publishing Company, 1913), pp. 63-64. Garden has been featured in James Boyd, A History of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (Philadelphia: Printed for the Society, 1929), pp. 465-467.

Scope and Contents: The folders include worksheets and photocopies of articles and photographs relating to the property and its owners.

Collection Restrictions: Access to original archival materials by appointment only. Researcher must submit request for appointment in writing. Certain items may be restricted and not available to researchers. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.

Related Materials: Chelten House related holdings consist of 2 folders (3 black and white photographs)