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| - Having never been to The Frick or Clayton before I was surprised when presented with the opportunity to go last night as a surprise date. Being a history aficionado, particularly in regards to local history I was pumped to go.
I've driven past Clayton and Frick Park many times and I quite enjoy the old homes and the overall history which the East End offers. Whether you agree or not with the things that Henry Clay Frick did, one thing we call all agree on is that he, Andrew Carnegie and the Mellon's built much of the city which we know and love.
We were able to walk through the art museum which was commissioned by Helen Clay Frick to house her personal art collection. While art is generally not something I am particularly interested in, I do appreciate the beauty of it and the age of some of the pieces within the collection. It truly is an awesome sight to see.
Walking through the grounds it's interesting to see the different structures and to try and understand how the Frick's lived on this property and what life may have been like during the gilded age of Pittsburgh when steel and coal reigned supreme. The gardens are beautifully kept. The green house is absolutely beautiful. If you look closely you may even see some interesting insects inhabiting the plants.
As far as Clayton is concerned, this is primarily what I wanted to see. Within the walls of Clayton you will see the level of craftsmanship which was put into this home. It's 15,000+ square feet of absolute artistry in building. The detail of the ceilings, the crown moldings, the flooring, the furniture...I could go on and on. It truly is a sight to behold. The level of detail in which every aspect of the home was crafted is incredible. If something catches your eye, I suggest asking one of the tour guides about it. Henry Clay Frick had an eye for the details. I intend on going back to take a guided tour as soon as possible and if history is your thing I suggest you do the same.
There are many things I didn't cover as I didn't get to see it all, however I look forward to returning and spending more time on the property and taking in as much as possible. I suggest you do the same!
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