The Jonas B. Martin Mansion
Jonas B. Martin was a successful Lancaster businessman who dealt in dry goods, carpeting, glassware, and other household products. In 1886, Mr. Martin contracted Lancaster's preeminent architect, C. Emlen Urban to design a residence for him at 423 West Chestnut Street. Emlen, who was only 23 years old at the time, designed the house in the popular Queen Anne style.
Dr. Wolf operated his institute of music out of his home at 214 North Mulberry Street from 1899 until 1913. In that year, Dr. Wolf and his first wife, Lottie, purchased the West Chestnut Street mansion from Jonas Martin. This became the new venue for the Wolf Institute of Pianoforte and Organ Playing.
The Wolf Museum of Music and Art
Dr. Wolf's second wife, Frances Harkness Wolf, at the time of her death in 1973, established their home and music studio as a public charity known as the Wolf Museum of Music and Art. She specified that the Museum was to host small house concerts and serve tea afterwards.
The Wolf Museum Interior
The Museum was run by a board of trustees until 2022. In 2023 the building and contents were sold, and the proceeds were used to establish The Dr. William A. & Frances Harkness Wolf Music Scholarship for aspiring Lancaster County musicians.
Photography by PhotOle
