Castles dot the Pennsylvania landscape. One such castle, Grey Towers Castle, sits on the campus of Arcadia University, a half an hour outside of Philadelphia. Unless you are from the area, you may have only heard of Grey Towers Castle in passing or may never have heard of it at all. Here’s the story of Grey Towers Castle in Pennsylvania.
Some time before Grey Towers Castle was built, Rosedale Hall sat upon the 138 acres in Glenside owned by William Welsh Harrison.
The Pennsylvanian, who co-owned the Franklin Sugar Refinery, made a significant investment when he hired Horace Trumbauer, in 1891, to design a gatehouse and stables for the sprawling property.
Trumbauer designed a majestic building, inspired by England's Alnwick Castle. His work on the castle would propel him to prominence as he later designed such renowned spots as the New York Evening Post Building and the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
The castle's 40 rooms, of course, lived up to their regal reputation. Grey Towers Castle featured a library, a ballroom, the Rose Room, and a grand hall.
Beaver College is now Arcadia University but Grey Towers Castle still plays a prominent role in student life. The castle houses dorm rooms while the Rose Room hosts a variety of campus activities and events.
