Visit to Stan Hywet in Akron, Ohio ~ The Waterlily Pool

Waterlily pool at Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens

My husband and I just returned from a wonderful weekend away in nearby Akron, Ohio. We visited Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens which is considered "one of the finest examples of Tudor Revival architecture in America" (ref). The Hall was patterned after Ockwell’s Manor in Berkshire, Compton Wynyates in Warwickshire and Haddon Hall in Derbyshire by architect Charles S. Schneider.


The grounds were designed by Boston landscape architect Warren H. Manning in 1915. He worked with the Hall architect to connect the house to the allées and overlooks of the valley. In the back, there is a generous terrace, expansive lawn with a waterlily pool, and a stone walk that extends over an embankment. According to one of the Hall guides, the house was positioned so that this stone walk, which extends a view that begins at the front door, looks through the trees to the setting sun for the summer solstice, June 21st.

Hope you enjoy a look around! I will be posting other Stan Hywet garden areas in the future, including their English Sunken Garden by American garden designer, Ellen Biddle Shipman.

Looking up the stone steps to the back of Stan Hywet Hall. The water fountain is in the waterlily pool.

The Waterlily Pool at Stan Hywet

Pink waterlily buds this August.

This railing is at the back of the lawn. Pool on the right. The steps by the pool lead down the hill...

...to the stone walkway, which is circular at its terminus. This view looks toward the setting sun for summer solstice each year. To the right is their small Japanese garden.

Potted begonia and ivy on the railing.

One of many lawns that the Seiberling family used for recreation in the 1920's, when exercise was having a surge in popularity among the wealthy.

Terrace pots were filled with the Purple Fountain Grass (Pennisetum setaceum 'Rubrum') and annuals.

The bay window in the second story on the right was the Seiberlings bedroom window; underneath is the Library.

Pennisetum setaceum 'Rubrum'

Pennisetum setaceum 'Rubrum', Coleus, Angelina and Dahilas on the terrace. 

Annuals around one of the circular stone seats that flank the back lawn and pool.

This brick area to the right of the house was for drying the house laundry in (relative) privacy.

Nicotiana, Alyssum, Ageratum, Angelina and Coleus create a vibrant planting for this (now) walled garden in August.

Hope you enjoyed your a look around Stan Hywet! More to come.