‘Round about Pittsburgh: A museum of the Gilded Age

Mike Funyak, Staff Writer

Located in what is considered Pittsburgh’s Point Breeze neighborhood is The Frick Art & Historical Center. The property is the home to Henry Clay Frick’s former estate and consists of Clayton (the Frick mansion), the Frick Art Museum, the Car & Carriage Museum, the Greenhouse, the Frick children’s playhouse, and Frick Café.

Opened to the public in 1990, the Frick Art & Historical Center was the dream and idea of Henry Clay Frick’s daughter, Helen. After she passed away in 1984, her long-term wish was to see Clayton and the surrounding estate preserved and opened to the general public.

To visit the property today, visitors see a different side to Henry Clay Frick than he is portrayed in Western Pennsylvania and history. Clayton, the Frick’s former residence, is home to numerous wonders.

Inside Clayton are various artifacts, pictures, furniture, and architecture that showcase the timeframe of Henry Clay Frick’s life. Most of the collection inside Clayton are objects that were owned by the Frick family.

The original home was constructed in 1870 and, 12 years later, the Frick family purchased the house and Pittsburgh architect Frederick Osterling began transforming it into a 22-room mansion from1891-1892.

When touring Clayton today, it is extremely difficult to imagine that the mansion is a remodeled and enlarged house. For historians and preservationists, it is only fitting that Clayton has been designated a Historic Landmark by the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation.

The Frick Art Museum offers visitors a unique chance to see Henry Clay Frick’s personal art collection, which includes nineteenth-century European paintings

Regardless on what your views of Henry Clay Frick are, visitors to The Frick Art & Historical Center will quickly find out that Mr. Frick was a determined worker and family man.

For More Information, please visit TheFrickPittsburgh.org