Gilded Age Mansions: Weirwood

The Berwind family had the Elms of Newport, Rhode Island as well as the Main Line mansion Weirwood (now demolished). Henry Augustus Berwind (June 6 1859 – 7 October 1932) was the Vice-President of the Berwind-White Coal Company led by his brother, Edward J. Berwind after his oldest brother Charles’ death. There were 5 Berwind brothers in total, the sons of German immigrants to Philadelphia. The company mined bituminous coal. A member of the fashionable Art Club of Philadelphia, he was married to Lillie Margaret Graham. His given name was "Henry," though he almost exclusively used "Harry." He married Lillie Margaret Graham Berwind (1861-1955), Red Cross Volunteer. She was a key person in the formation of Red Cross branches as they changed from chapters in the Philadelphia area. She was a canteener during World War I, and was elected to the chapter board in 1933. She was chair of the Home Service Corps (later called Social Welfare Aides), served on many committees over the years, and was a chapter vice chairman, member of the executive committee and the advisory board. Weirwood's original owner -- Fayette R. Plumb owning 24 acres in 1900. Subsequent owners -- William S. Taylor, Harry A. Berwind (1901-02; city residence at 2112 Locust St.), and Lillian M. (Graham) Berwind. Plot size -- 58 1/2 acres. Original architect -- Keen & Mead in 1897. Others -- Charles Barton Keen and The Elms' architect Trumbauer for a bay window in 1908. Weirwood Mansion was demolished in 1957 right after Mrs. Berwind’s death.

Sources:

"Weirwood Park", Radnor Historical Society, https://radnorhistory.org/archive/photos/?p=16654

Berwind, https://berwind.com/

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