Guided History Tour

Tuesday – Sunday at 11am

Learn the Personal History of this Grand Beaux Arts Country House!

Guided tours of Cairnwood Estate reveal the personal history of this grand Beaux Arts country house. Tour participants discover the private side of the family and its integral role in founding the Bryn Athyn community. Tours begin with an orientation video in the Garden House and includes three floors of the Main House, the Chapel in the tower, the Cairnwood Family Gallery, Servant’s Quarters, and the Carriage House collections of horse-drawn carriages and sleighs and a 1927 Packard. Fundraising and outreach activities proudly hosted by Cairn Club, Inc.

  • Admission: Adult (Ages 18-64): $15; Student (Ages 6-17) and Seniors (Ages 65+): $12; 5 & under: Free
  • Minimum 2 tickets; Single ticket – call to book.
  • Cairnwood Members – please call to receive your free tour(s) coupon code.
  • Tours are available Tuesday – Sunday at 11:00am
  • Duration: 1.5 hours
  • Purchasing tickets in advance is strongly recommended; the estate and grounds are occasionally closed for private rentals on short notice
  • Parts of the estate are not fully accessible due to 1895 construction; tours require a fair amount of walking and stairs. Call for more information or to request tour modifications.
  • Call 215-947-2004 or contact us at info@cairnwood.org to schedule your tour
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Cairnwood Literary Guild – Book Club Meeting

Tuesday, April 2nd at 7:30 PM

Spring Read: The Social Graces 

By Renee Rosen
Meeting: Tuesday April 2, 2024
Place: Cairnwood Music Room
Time: 7:30 PM

RSVP: lisa@cairnwood.org

In this witty and beautifully imagined Gilded Age outing, Rosen examines the rivalry between the Astors and the Vanderbilts toward the end of the 19th century. Caroline Astor finds a nemesis in Alva, the headstrong, redheaded wife of William K. Vanderbilt. The two socialites’ rivalry plays out as they vie to outdo one another in lavish events, in extending or withholding invitations to balls, and in arranging the most advantageous marriages for their daughters.

Rosen digs deep to reveal the humanity of these socialites as they cope with death, betrayal, and the ultimate shame: divorce. Just as the imagery of sumptuous feasts, brilliant jewels and gowns, and magnificent palatial estates begins to pall, the increasingly decadent pageantry spurs a moral awakening when Alva’s sisters expose her to the struggles of average women and workers, and Caroline comes to appreciate her family and her devoted butler. The two doyennes, who despite their riches and status have few legal rights, summon the inner strength to defy stuffy convention, find happiness in love at last, and make significant societal contributions, such as funding the building of the original Metropolitan Opera and backing women’s suffrage. Rosen delights with breezy dialogue and keen insights into the era. Historical fans will love this. –Publisher’s Weekly

Fundraising and outreach activities proudly hosted by Cairn Club, Inc.

Fairy Garden Party

Sunday, April 21st from 11am to 1pm

All you need is faith, trust, and a little bit of pixie dust! Join us for a Fairy Garden Party at Cairnwood. Your child will create an enchanted garden on the terrace, fashion a pixie wand, and sit down for a favorite fairy story in the library. Flutter around the Estate while exploring our Woodland Fairy Quest in the fountain garden and enjoy sparkling pixie-punch and bite size sweet nibbles.

  • $25 per child (ages 3-12 years)
  • Children must be accompanied by an adult (chaperone free of charge)
  • 25% off for Cairnwood Estate members *present valid ID
  • Doors open at 11 AM and close at 1 PM ~ complete at your own pace
  • Duration: please allow 60 minutes
  • Limited availability ~ Reservations Required
Please wear your favorite wings and fairy attire!

Fundraising and outreach activities proudly hosted by Cairn Club, Inc.

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Gertrude’s Gardens & Home Tour

Tuesday – Thursday at 2pm or By Appointment

Working with the architects Carrère & Hastings and the landscape architects Olmsted, Olmsted and Eliot, Mrs. Gertrude Pitcairn oversaw the vision and details of Cairnwood Estate. During this focused exterior and interior tour, we will explore the architecture and intention of the historic landscape plans while wandering the garden paths and terraces, and the grand rooms for entertaining on the first floor including the Great Hall, Living Room, Library, Music Room, and Dining Room all of which were planned with sweeping views and access to the outdoors. The tour begins in the Garden House and ends in the Carriage House, weather permitting. Fundraising and outreach activities proudly hosted by Cairn Club, Inc.

  • General Admission: Adult (Ages 18-64): $15; Student (Ages 6-17) and Seniors (Ages 65+): $12; Children 5 and under: Free
  • Minimum 2 tickets; Single ticket – call to book
  • Cairnwood Members – please call to receive your free tour(s) coupon code.
  • Tours are available: Tuesday – Thursday at 2:00 pm or by Appointment (reservations required)
  • Weather permitting/discretionary substitutions may be required
  • Tour includes uneven garden paths and stairs; call to inquire about accessibility
  • Duration: 75 minutes
  • Purchasing tickets in advance is required
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Mother’s Day Tea & Tours

Sunday, May 12th at 10 AM and 1 PM

Celebrate Mom while enjoying a traditional tea service. Afternoon Tea is a truly Victorian custom known worldwide, with origins in 19th century England. Take in the gardens and grounds of Cairnwood and join us for tea inside a beautiful historic landmark. Your party of 2-6 people will be seated at your own private table. Book your reservation now for this special Mother’s Day event! Reservations include docent-supported self-guided touring of the 2nd and 3rd floors from 11am to 2pm.

Tea menu includes premium teas by master blender Harney & Sons, soup du jour and seasonal salad, traditional tea sandwiches, family style petit fours, and scones with clotted cream and jams provided by Karen Spire Catering. Gluten free and vegetarian substitutions are available; please call to make dietary requests in advance.

  • $70/person (tax & gratuity not included)
  • Duration: 2 hours
  • For groups of more than 6 people, please call 215.947.2004 to arrange a group reservation.
  • NOTE: reservations are by table; if you would like to join an existing reservation, please call 215.947.2004
  • Limited availability ~ Reservations Required

Fundraising and outreach activities proudly hosted by Cairn Club, Inc.

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Landmarks in Lights

Tuesday, June 25th, 8 PM – 10 PM

The Bryn Athyn Historic District will glow a little brighter!

  • FREE admission to the Bryn Athyn Historic District grounds; additional activities for a fee.
  • Free parking throughout the Bryn Athyn Historic District.
  • Please note that given the age and construction of the buildings, some areas are not fully accessible.
  • Minors must be accompanied by an adult.

Cairnwood Estate
FREE admission to the Garden House welcome center & orientation video
Self-guided house tours supported by docents: $5/person
Wine & beer available for purchase on the South Terrace

Bryn Athyn Cathedral
FREE admission
Tour guides available
Classical music

Glencairn Museum
Enjoy the grounds and outdoor illumination of the building

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Holiday Tea & Tours 2024

Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and select Sundays at 1 PM ~ December 2024

Celebrate the season and join us for tea and tours during our most sparkling time of year! Package includes a traditional holiday tea, docent-supported self-guided tours of the decorated Estate, and access to our seasonal vintage textile exhibition Variations in Vintage Velvet: Dressing for the Holidays throughout the second and third floors. Fundraising and outreach activities proudly hosted by Cairn Club, Inc.

Menu includes premium teas by master blender Harney & Sons, traditional tea sandwiches, soup du jour and seasonal salad, family style petit fours, holiday cookies, and scones with clotted cream and jams provided by Karen Spire Catering & Events.

  • $70 per person (gratuities not included)
  • NOTE: reservations are by table; if you would like to join a group, please call 215.947.2004
  • Docent-supported self-guided tours included
  • Duration: 3 hours
  • Limited availability ~ Reservations Required
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Guided Christmas in Cairnwood Tour 2024

Select dates in December at 11 AM

Enjoy the holidays with your family and friends at Cairnwood Estate. Guided Christmas in Cairnwood tours begin in the Garden House with an orientation video and include three floors decorated for the season by professional florists. Guests are greeted upon entering the Great Hall by our dazzling two-story Christmas tree—located in the same spot it once stood at the turn of the century. Tour participants discover the private side of the Pitcairn family and its integral role in founding the Bryn Athyn community while exploring this grand Beaux Arts country house and the vintage textile exhibition Variations in Vintage Velvet: Dressing for the Holidays. A visit to the Estate during the holidays will be a special treat for the ones you love! Fundraising and outreach activities proudly hosted by Cairn Club, Inc.

  • $25 per adult
  • $20 per senior/students
  • $15 for Cairnwood Estate & Glencairn Museum members *present valid ID
  • Duration: 90 minutes
  • Limited availability ~ Reservations Required
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Children’s Critter Quest

Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and select Sundays from 2 PM to 4 PM ~ December 2024

It is during this festive season that the Cairnwood Critters venture out of their secret homes in the walls to celebrate! Families will make their way through the glittering grand rooms of the Estate while on a quest to find the hiding (and cute) little critters. This is a wonderful after-school opportunity to build family memories while learning about the history of Cairnwood. Bring your camera–family photos by the Christmas trees are welcome! Fundraising and outreach activities proudly hosted by Cairn Club, Inc.

  • $5 per child (ages 4-12 years)
  • Children must be accompanied by an adult
    • $10 per adult
    • Free for Cairnwood Estate & Glencairn Museum members *present valid ID
  • Doors open at 2 PM and close at 4 PM ~ complete at your own pace
  • Duration: please allow 45 minutes
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Self-Guided Holiday Tour 2024

Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and select Sundays from 2 PM to 4 PM ~ December 2024

Explore the elegant rooms of the Estate at your own pace with professionally decorated Christmas trees, twinkling balustrades, festive mantels over nine 1895 fireplaces, and the vintage textile exhibition Variations in Vintage Velvet: Dressing for the Holidays. Learn the personal history of this grand Beaux Arts country house; Cairnwood docents throughout the mansion will enhance your visit. For a family experience you may add Children’s Critter Quest tickets (sold separately). Don’t forget your camera! Fundraising and outreach activities proudly hosted by Cairn Club, Inc.

  • $10 per person
  • Doors open at 2 PM and will close at 4 PM ~  complete at your own pace
  • Free for Cairnwood Estate & Glencairn Museum members *present valid ID
  • Duration: 2 hours to explore at your own pace
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Christmas Cookie Stroll 2024

Thursday, December 19th  from 5pm to 7:30pm

There is nothing more magical than an evening stroll through the Estate to collect a personal selection of traditional cookies by the candlelight glow of thousands of Christmas lights inside and out! This family-friendly event is the last self-guided tour opportunity to see Cairnwood’s halls decked with 8 sparkling Christmas trees and fantasy fireplace mantels throughout the Estate. Step back in time with the special exhibition of vintage textiles, Variations in Vintage Velvet: Dressing for the Holidays. Admission includes holiday cookies and a cup of hot chocolate per person—add to the fun with the additional purchase of the Cairnwood Critter Quest for the children and a holiday cocktail or beverage for the adults. Fundraising and outreach activities proudly hosted by Cairn Club, Inc.

  • $15 per adult/child
  • $10 for Cairnwood and Glencairn members *present valid ID
  • Duration: 2.5 hours to explore at your own pace
  • Critter Quest booklets sold separately during the event
  • Cash bar available (21+ years of age)
  • Credit cards and cash accepted
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