Pennsylvania is home to many grand castles where visitors can explore history and admire stunning architecture, including two which are located in Montgomery County, writes Kalena Thomhave for The Keystone.
Today, Grey Towers Castle sits on the campus of Arcadia University in Glenside, but when it was first built, it served as the home of William Welsh Harrison, a wealthy sugar refinery owner. The design was inspired by Alnwick Castle in England, but the interior is far less castle-like, shaped instead by various French design styles popular between the 1500s and early 1700s. Many of its stunning details remain intact. Since 1929, when the university took possession of the property, the castle has housed dorm rooms, lecture rooms, conference spaces, and administrative offices.
Glencairn Museum in Bryn Athyn was built in 1939 in a medieval Romanesque style to resemble a castle. It originally served as the home of the wealthy Pitcairn family and their extensive collection of rare medieval objects. Today, the building operates as a museum of history and religious art. While it features a strong focus on medieval pieces, its collections also include art from cultures around the world.
Read more about the Glenside, Bryn Athyn, and other castles to explore in The Keystone.
