'Landmarks in Lights' Tours to Open Wednesday

Three renowned and architecturally distinct structures in the Bryn Athyn Historic District will be illuminated during event that offers the public free access to explore the sites.

Bryn Athyn Cathedral, Cairnwood Estate, and Glencairn Museum will be featured during “Landmarks in Lights: A Celebration of Faith" Wednesday evening. All are located on Cathedral Road in the borough of Bryn Athyn.

The public is invited to enjoy the venues’ expansive grounds during daylight hours and explore the remarkable buildings from 8 to 11 p.m., all to the strains of recorded classical music.

Visitors can tour Glencairn’s first floor, view the exhibition “From Gutenberg to Kindle: The Art of Bible Making,” take a cell phone audio tour, and watch a 15-minute orientation video.

For $2, “Landmarks in Lights” visitors also can take an elevator to the top of Glencairn’s 149-foot tower for a rare nighttime view of the Philadelphia skyline and surrounding area. [Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.]

The Cathedral will be lit June 15 through June 19, with recorded classical music filling the air, the award-winning gardens in full bloom, and tour guides available to answer questions. The bookstore/gift shop also will be open.

Cairnwood Estate will be lit for all to enjoy on June 15.

The house was designed by the pre-eminent Beaux Arts architect of the time, Carrère and Hastings, designer of the New York Public Library. The outstanding grounds were designed by Olmsted, Olmsted and Eliot of New York City, designer of Central Park.

Guests are invited to visit the newly-restored Cairnwood Garden House and view a short film on the history of Bryn Athyn and Cairnwood Estate. The Cairnwood gift shop will be open for extended hours until 11 pm.

The borough of Bryn Athyn was founded in the late 19th century by members of a Christian denomination known as the New Church.

Cairnwood was home to industrialist John Pitcairn; Glencairn was home to son Raymond and family; and the Cathedral was built as a place of worship for the church, today serving as world headquarters for the denomination. Construction of the buildings took place between 1892 and 1938. 

Today, Cairnwood is an educational, cultural and hospitality center, and Glencairn a museum of religious history, art and artifacts.

The buildings are regularly open for tours and a variety of programs and events.

For additional information and directions, visit www.brynathynhistoricdistrict.org or call 267-502-2600.