(July 28, 2003)
Allegheny County Department of Parks invites residents to enjoy a delightful luncheon on the terrace at noon, Wednesday, Aug. 20, at Hartwood.

The luncheon will feature foods made from edible flowers. Patrons will enjoy such treats as fruit of the rose soup and chicken with herbes de Provence, an aromatic blend of herbs reflecting those commonly used in southern France.

After lunch, guests will receive a guided tour of the mansion. The cost for the lunch and tour is $15. Reservations are required.

Hartwood is a 629-acre park owned and operated by Allegheny County. The park is located northeast of Pittsburgh, off Saxonburg Boulevard in Hampton and Indiana townships. It originally was built in 1929 as an equestrian estate for John and Mary Flinn Lawrence. Mrs. Lawrence was the daughter of state Sen. William Flinn, who owned the largest construction company in Pittsburgh at the turn of the 19th century.

The Tudor mansion, the park's centerpiece, was designed by Alfred Hopkins. It is maintained as a house that evokes the elegant lifestyle of the Lawrence family and is a symbol of the changing American culture of the 19th century. It features all of the original furniture, many rare and valuable antiques, family photographs and treasured personal items. It serves as a cultural legacy to the life of leisure and philanthropy so fashionable in the first part of the 1900s.

Hartwood also boasts a beautiful formal garden, stable complex and walking trails.

For reservations or more information about programs at Hartwood, call (412) 767-9200.