The Council of Independent Colleges: Historic Campus Architecture Project

Grace Hall

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Grace Hall (originally known as the Carriage House, 1902)

Grace Hall (originally known as the Carriage House, approach), Cabrini College

Grace Hall (view from garden), Cabrini College

Institution Name: Cabrini College
Original/Historic Place Name: The Carriage House
Location on Campus: on the north/south axis with The Mansion
Date(s) of Construction:

1900-1903

original construction Trumbauer, Horace

Designer: Horace Trumbauer (Philadelphia)
Type of Place: Individual building
Style: Other (Glossary)
Significance: culture, education, landscape, religion
Narrative: see below
References: see below

Materials:

Foundation: native stone

Walls: native stone, stucco, timber

Roof: clay tile

Function:

ca. 1903	facility management building
ca. 1903	residence hall
ca. 2004-present (2006)	faculty offices
ca. 2004-present (2006)	administration

Narrative:
The Carriage House on the Woodcrest Estate was not only functional; it was placed within the landscape to clearly pronounce a sense of arrival and set the stage for the Manor House directly on axis. It is grand in its own right, reflecting the same architectural detail as the Mansion, the two buildings together truly suggesting a sense of place. Complemented by the original pump house, gate house, pool house, and remnants of the original farm, the collection comes together to clearly suggest this was a truly grand estate with a full complement of amenities

This particular carriage house was grander than most on the Main Line. As an original building, it assisted the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart in both their religious and educational pursuits. In its time, it was considered "well engineered" as both a stable and a carriage house, as well as living quarters. This prominent structure speaks to a culture and gentry life-style prior to that of the automobile.

References:

Kathrens, Michael C. American Splendor: The Residential Architecture of Horace Trumbauer. New York: Acanthus Press, 2002.

Morrison, William. The Main Line Country Houses, 1870-1930. New York: Acanthus Press, 2002.