the academy journal
and the first phase of the Cairnwood landscape
restoration. Academy Administration and the
Board of Governors have worked to ensure that
the estate will continue to be a productive member
of the Academy family and not a financial drain in
the future if market or event trends should shift.
Restoration projects, continued investment, and
good stewardship of the estate and its resources
are needed in order to preserve Cairnwood for future generations.
accessibility, safety, and comfort was improved
by replacing the entrance step from the library to
veranda, and repairs were made to doors and windows.
All annual service to systems in the house were
performed. These included inspections of the generator, fire suppression system in the basement,
fire alarms, HVAC and equipment service. Energy
efficiency was improved with the installation of
new boilers, which supply heat to Cairnwood and
utility cost savings are expected.
The expansion of the flagstone terrace has been
completed along with repairs to the limestone
steps around the front of the house. Missing,
broken, or damaged slate pieces were replaced on
the Cairnwood and Garden House roofs. Maintenance projects to the landscape was completed,
and included pruning of the elms along the Garden House path and the removal of trees that were
damaged or blown over during Hurricane Sandy.
An antique fountain for the side garden pond was
selected by the landscape committee and was installed in Ap ril.
Operations
With a healthy business plan in place, it was an appropriate time to look our operations. The activity
at the estate has been commendably handled by
the Cairnwood staff thus far; however it has been a
rigorous schedule. We used this time of transition
as an opportunity to analyze the existing business
and our ability to meet the demands, and balance
it with staff support in order to maintain stellar
customer care.
After staffing had been reviewed, it was decided
to move to a schedule whereby the estate would
be open 6 days per week and closed on Mondays.
This was a change from the previous schedule of
having Cairnwood open 7 days a week. Mondays
are typically chosen as a closed time by museums
and historic sites because it is the day with the least
amount of tourist traffic. For Cairnwood, Mondays are now designated as a day for deep cleaning, rotating exhibits, and for the staff to have
time off. This time away from the office supports
a balanced working environment and directs staff
resources into days that are busier for our business
and tours.
There has been a fresh focus on maintenance
and custodial improvements. New job descriptions, routine task checklists and training sessions
have been put into place for the maintenance staff
members to improve custodial care and event support at Cairnwood. Projects such as the cleaning
of rugs and professional steam treatments of the
kitchen and restroom faculties have been scheduled on a rotating calendar.
Landscape Restoration
The Cairnwood Landscape Committee has continued to work closely with Lynn Raus (RLA) to craft
a master landscape plan that respects and honors
the intentions of John and Gertrude Pitcairn and
the original estate landscape plans, while incorporating directly and indirectly the principles and
design philosophies of Charles Eliot and Fredrick
Law Olmsted. The committee determined that
the front entry way was an ideal place to begin
the first phase of restoration. The entry way and
streetscape are the front door of Cairnwood and
the Bryn Athyn Historic District. The restoration
of this area will create a more open and inviting
entrance for guests and improved visibility to potential visitors traveling on Huntingdon Pike.
Fundraising at the 2013 Evergreen & Emerald
Gala: A Tribute to Frederick Law Olmsted was
focused on the continued landscape master planning and the implementation of the first phase of
the landscape restoration, specifically concentrated on the front entrance gate area. The Gala also
provided an opportunity to educate stakeholders
about the history and importance of Cairnwood’s
landscape and John and Gertrude’s contribution
to shape the layout of the Bryn Athyn community.
Building Improvements
Facility improvements and restoration projects
were completed under the management of Drew
Nehlig. The interior halls and rooms were given
a fresh coat of paint or were touched up. Guest
88