The Seiberlings' Christmas greeting card from 1915 celebrated the completion of their home. It also set the tone for how the Seiberling family viewed Stan Hywet as a place of welcome and inclusion to all family, friends and community members. It's something we still celebrate today at Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens.
Greetings
On heights o’erlooking rolling woodland
And distant valley’s purple shadows,
With oaks and maples, ash and elm trees
With flowers in summer on the ledges
And water filling threatening depths
Of quarries old, like moat encircling
A rambling many chimneyed house.
Low hanging roofs and gables varied
The tower in center dominating . . .
Stan Hywet rests and sends you greeting
Stan Hywet named, the Anglo Saxon
For the place where stone is quarried.
The Seiberlings in dedication
Will gather here on Christmas day.
And young and old in celebration
Will join in laughter song and play
The truth is old, that walls and roof tree
However fine, ne’er make a home.
The friend, companion, stranger even
If warmly welcomed at the door . . .
Unfolds the message of his spirit
And leaves it there for evermore:
True friendship’s joy and inspiration
An incense sweet, a priceless store
So as the months and years unfold
Joy will they bring as joy we need
If you kind friends but enter in
And make our house a home indeed
Wishing you a Merrie [sic] Christmas and a Happy New Year
Mr. and Mrs. Frank A. Seiberling
Stan Hywet Hall
North Portage Path
Akron, OH