Frick Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh

The Frick Pittsburgh – Complete Guide

1 | Campus Overview

Location: 7227 Reynolds Street, Point Breeze, East End of Pittsburgh.

Setting: A 6-acre Gilded Age estate once owned by industrialist Henry Clay Frick, now a free public art and history complex set amid lawns, gardens, and mature trees.

2 | Key Components

Clayton (Frick Family Mansion)

Built: 1860; expanded 1892 in Richardsonian Romanesque style.

Interiors: 23 authentically furnished rooms reflecting upper-class life c. 1892-1919, featuring original Frick possessions, Tiffany lighting, and early electric conveniences.

Tours: Small-group guided visits (reservation required).

Frick Art Museum

Opened: 1970.

Collection: Renaissance to early 20th-century painting and sculpture, highlighted by Italian Renaissance panels, French 18th-century decorative arts, and works by Rubens, Fragonard, Boucher, Millet, and Degas.

Special Exhibitions: Rotating shows spanning Old Masters to contemporary responses.

Car and Carriage Museum

Focus: Henry Ford–era vehicles and 19th-century horse-drawn carriages.

Highlights: 1914 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost, 1915 Pierce-Arrow Model 48, rare electric brougham (c. 1900).

Greenhouse & Gardens

Design: Victorian glasshouse reconstructed to 1897 plans.

Flora: Seasonal displays of orchids, tropicals, roses, and heirloom vegetables that once supplied the household.

The Café at the Frick

Atmosphere: Garden-view conservatory.

Menu: Light lunches, teas, and pastries; reservations advised on weekends.

3 | Historical Context

Henry Clay Frick (1849-1919): Coke and steel magnate, partner of Andrew Carnegie, art collector.

Estate Evolution: After Frick’s death, daughter Helen Clay Frick transformed the family home into a cultural institution honoring her father’s legacy and sharing their art with the public; opened to visitors in 1990.

4 | Visitor Essentials

Admission: General grounds, art museum, and car museum are free; timed tickets with fee for Clayton tours and select exhibitions.

Hours: Tuesday–Sunday 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; closed Mondays and major holidays.

Parking: On-site lot (free); bike racks; East Busway stop within a 10-minute walk.

Accessibility: Ramps, elevators, and wheelchairs available; Clayton has limited second-floor access—virtual tour provided.

Photography: Allowed in most areas without flash; prohibited inside Clayton.

5 | Programs & Events

Lectures & Classes: Art history talks, gardening workshops, antique car seminars.

Family Activities: Drop-in artmaking, story hours, scavenger hunts.

Seasonal Events: Summer garden parties, winter holiday decorations, car shows on the oval lawn.

6 | Insider Tips

Reserve Clayton tickets several weeks ahead, especially during holidays.

Combine a museum visit with a stroll through adjacent Mellon Park for a full afternoon.

The Café’s afternoon tea (Friday–Sunday) is a local favorite—book early.

Download the free audio guide for deeper context on artwork and estate history.

The Frick Pittsburgh offers an immersive window into Gilded Age life, masterful fine art, vintage automobiles, and tranquil gardens—all in one elegant, walkable campus.