| C layton Estate in Pittsburg, is the former home of Henry Clay Frick,
one of America's great industrialists and art collectors.
Later, the estate would become home to his daughter Helen
Clay Frick who would continue to expand the art collection
before turning it over to the Frick Art & Historical Center
now located on the beautifully landscaped lot in Pittsburgh's
East End.
The custom
greenhouse is a partial reconstruction of one that served
the Frick family from 1897 through the 1970's. When Henry
and Adelaide Frick purchased Clayton in 1882, they also
had a small greenhouse built near the Homewood Avenue fence
line. It was used to grow flowers and tropical plants for
Clayton, annuals from seed for outdoor beds, a variety of
vegetables and mushrooms.
In 1897, the Frick's engaged architects Alden & Harlow
to undertake several building projects on their estate. The
firm, which had offices in Pittsburg and Boston, made minor
renovations to their home and created a playhouse for the
Frick children as well as a new greenhouse. The original
Homewood Avenue greenhouse was demolished and a larger, new
structure was built in its place.
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