Politics & Government
Willows Park Mansion Celebrating 50-Year Anniversary Of Park Purchase
Willows Park Preserve is working on upgrading the historical mansion for weddings and other celebrations.
RADNOR, PA—The Willow Park Preserve is gearing up for the 50-year anniversary of the township’s purchase of the 49-acre historical estate and park on July 27.
The nonprofit is working with the township to restore the historic mansion that has been used for weddings and other upscale social events.
The mansion has been closed to the public for about a decade.
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Will Nord, executive director of the nonprofit, said the reopening of the park in 2022 has been successful.
“We hosted thousands of community members, for retreats, music events, concerts, and more,” Nord said. “Reopening the doors of the mansion has allowed us to create community connections.”
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State Sen. Amanda Cappelletti, a Democrat, notified the nonprofit that it will receive an $89,500 grant for kitchen renovations.
To date, there are 22 events planned for the facility.
AnnaMarie Jones, a commissioner, said the board is grateful for the work that is being done to the park.
Krista Hixon, the treasurer, said the preserve is working on projects to upgrade the mansion.“Our strategy is to make the Willows available to the community,” she said.
Hixon said in 2022 the nonprofit raised $439,310 in revenues including $142,000 in contributions. The nonprofit received $107,099 in private donations and $16,024 in fundraising.
Radnor Township provides $173,746.
The 2022 expenses included a fire suppression and alarm system and renovations, kitchen upgrades, and amounted to $292,013.
Park History
Radnor Township purchased the park in 1973 from the Zantzinger family. The mansion was designed by renowned Philadelphia architect Charles Barton Keen for the bride of a wealthy distillery owner.
The mansion was built in 1910 and was originally called Rose Garland.
Radnor Township renamed the property in homage to the beautiful willow trees encircling its pond.
The township held community events there for several decades.
In 2011, when outdated systems and mounting repairs made operations untenable, the Willows Mansion closed.
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