Imagine being so wealthy that your child’s playhouse is a full size home with a bowling alley addition.
When you buy a Rolls Royce, you have your monogram added to the door. You buy one, not just for yourself, but for your wife and daughter at the same time.
Your art collection is museum worthy and your homes are decadently furnished with the most expensive decor of the day.
As a contemporary of industrialists like Andrew Carnegie, you dabble in manufacturing and financing and build an empire the envy of businessmen everywhere.
This is the story of Pittsburgh industrialist Henry Clay Frick. His family’s story is fascinating and it’s told every day thanks to the forethought, planning and generosity of his daughter Helen who saw to it that the family’s Pittsburgh home and art collection would be accessible to all.
Today, it’s simply known as The Frick. You can walk the grounds, enjoy the hot house flowers, marvel over their car collection and be inspired by their art collection for free. For just a few dollars you can tour the family home as well as whatever special exhibition they have at the time.
When I was there, it was decorated for the holidays and the docent related stories of how the family celebrated Christmas as well as stories of their everyday life.
They also had the traveling Katherine Hepburn exhibition for which there is an additional fee.
I benefited from the generosity of my friend Nichola who purchased a membership for her family, gaining me free access to everything.
If I lived in a city like Pittsburgh, I would have memberships to the Frick and many of the museums I love. Alas, I live in the sticks where museums are rare.
If you go, allow plenty of time to enjoy everything. House tours sell out pretty quickly so it’s best to arrive early to schedule your tour. There’s plenty to do including a cafe and gift shop. However, we had lunch in nearby Shadyside which I wrote about earlier this week. Check it out!
I’ll soon tell you more about the Katherine Hepburn exhibit as well as my friend’s happy place – the Phipps. Come back tomorrow for more!
Make the Journey Fun 
It sounds like a decadent way to while away a day. 😊
P.S. The internet informs me that they’re now making new versions of the classic stereo console. (they must be spying on my WP comments!)
Hahaha. The internet spies on everything we do! But yes… decadent is the word. We had a delightful day.