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Harwelden Mansion
Bronze Statue
Harwelden Mansion Bed and Breakfast, west view overlooking the Arkansas River

Harwelden is a historical building, also known as Harwelden Mansion, and is an English Tudor-styled mansion with Collegiate Gothic elements in Tulsa, Oklahoma that is an Event Center and Bed and Breakfast. It was built in 1923 by a businessman and philanthropist, Earl P. Harwell. Previously owned by the Tulsa Arts and Humanities Society (AHHA), it is now owned and renovated by Teresa Knox in 2018. The mansion sits on one full city block overlooking the Arkansas River, minutes from the world-renowned Gathering Place.[1][2]

It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.[3][4] The mansion and grounds were also documented by the Historic American Buildings Survey in 2009.[5]

History

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In 1923, a Tulsa-native businessman and philanthropist, Earl Palmer Harwell and his wife Mary built the Collegiate Gothic and English Tudor styled mansion, named Harwelden.[6][7] It was designed and constructed by architects Wight and Wight and Long Construction from Kansas City, Missouri.[8][9] Interior design was by William A. Franch and Company of Minneapolis, including for paneling, plaster-ornamented ceilings, oriental carpets and furnishings.[4] The historic mansion was built when Tulsa was known as Oil Capital of the World.

Following the deaths of Harwell in 1950 and his wife's in 1967, the mansion was donated to the Arts Council of Tulsa.[10][6] When the house was left to the Arts and Humanities Council, it included staircase runners and living room rug, all of the original lighting fixtures, and selected furniture and draperies, while most furnishings were bequeathed to relatives.[4]

The mansion served as a headquarter for Arts Council of Tulsa and its governing body, AHHA Tulsa from 1969 to 2012.[6] In February 1978, the mansion was added to the National Register of Historic Places of Tulsa County, Oklahoma.[11]

Ownership

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In 2019, the building is owned by Tulsa-native businesswoman Teresa Knox and her husband, Ivan Acosta. In May 2018, they purchased the mansion for $2.9 million and spent millions more during a two-year renovation.

The Harwelden Mansion is the sister property to The Church Studio and often houses celebrity artists that perform or record at the studio such as Kenny Loggins, Air Supply and Trace Adkins.

Programming

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The historic mansion now serves as an event center, wedding venue, and bed and breakfast.[6][12] The Harwelden Mansion offers various programming including traditional English Afternoon Tea and historic tours.[13][14]

The Harwelden Mansion is rented for filming and has been used by A&E, Discovery Channel, SiriusXM Radio, ABC Network, Mike Rowe, and various television channels.

Following the purchase of the mansion by Knox, a historic mailbox was stolen from the building but has since been replaced.[15]

References

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  1. ^ "Best City Park Winners (2021) | USA TODAY 10Best". 10Best. Retrieved 2021-10-25.
  2. ^ @NatGeoUK (2019-08-03). "12 mind-bending playgrounds around the world". National Geographic. Retrieved 2021-10-25.
  3. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. November 2, 2013.
  4. ^ a b c Kent Ruth (August 1977). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Harwelden". National Park Service. Retrieved December 2, 2019. With accompanying 16 photos from 1977
  5. ^ "Harwelden Estate, 2210 South Main Street, Tulsa, Tulsa County, OK". HABS.
  6. ^ a b c d Smith, Michael (May 18, 2018). "Historic Harwelden mansion sold, to be preserved and continue as Tulsa events facility". Tulsa World. Retrieved November 25, 2019.
  7. ^ \Wells, Rick (May 2, 2019). "Tour Tulsa's Harwelden Mansion In 2019 Designer Showcase". 1170kfaq.com. Retrieved November 25, 2019.
  8. ^ ""These Walls: Harwelden Mansion in Tulsa" by Davis, KirLee - THE JOURNAL RECORD, July 18, 2008". [dead link]
  9. ^ "History in the Re-Making: Designing Harwelden". McGraw Real Estate Blog. 31 May 2019. Retrieved December 2, 2019.
  10. ^ Litchfield, Yvonne (November 13, 1993). "Harwelden: A Gothic Treasure". Tulsa World. Retrieved November 25, 2019.
  11. ^ Watts Jr., James D. (April 28, 2019). "Designing Harwelden: Annual fundraiser helps to transform Tulsa landmark into showplace". Tulsa World. Retrieved November 25, 2019.
  12. ^ "New Tulsa Harwelden Mansion Owners: Details". KOKI. May 20, 2018. Retrieved November 25, 2019.
  13. ^ Brockman, Anne. "Tea time at Harwelden". TulsaPeople Magazine. Retrieved 2021-10-25.
  14. ^ World, James D. Watts Jr Tulsa. "Harwelden Mansion begins tradition of afternoon tea". Tulsa World. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
  15. ^ "Reward offered for mailbox stolen from historic Oklahoma mansion". KFOR.com. June 6, 2018. Retrieved November 25, 2019.
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