Directions from Grace Kelly’s Home to the Grace Kelly Exhibit
Between Washington DC and New York City , make Philadelphia your departure point for a graceful day to re-discover Grace Kelly. Start your journey at 3901 Henry Ave. in East Falls neighborhood up the Schuylkill River. This brick Georgian house at Henry and Coulter Avenues is Grace Kelly’s childhood home, which is now marked by an historical sign. Although the marker does not give the dates the family lived there, Kelly built the home around 1929 and his wife finally sold it in 1974.
The family’s most notable members are highlighted on the marker, including Princess Grace of Monaco, or Grace Kelly, the Academy Award winning actress; her father, John B. Kelly, Sr., three time Olympic gold medal winner for rowing; and John B. Kelly, Jr., also known as “Kell,” who is best known for winning the 1947 Henley Regatta and an Olympic bronze medal for rowing in the 1956 Olympics.
(In 2016 Prince Albert of Monaco arranged to buy his mom’s childhood home
– the former Grace Kelly home will now have a new future…peek inside)
Before you start your way north to the Michener Museum, take the small detour to drive on the scenic Kelly Drive (named in their honor) and see the statue of John B. Kelly, rowing of course, on the North end of the Reviewing Stands. Then simply follow the river up the Schuylkill Expressway (I-76 West) for the quick route to 138 South Pine Street, Doylestown, about 30 miles north of Philadelphia.
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Most everyone reading this article may know who Grace Kelly is, but there is a whole new generation awaiting her re-discovery. With that in mind we shall describe the event as follows:
Grace Kelly was Philadelphia’s own Oscar‐winning actress who married a European prince at the pinnacle of her career. She led a seemingly fairy‐tale life, but over the course of decades in the public eye, Princess Grace alluded to the way her public image eclipsed her true self. This compelling exhibition invites you to discover the person behind Grace Kelly the icon: her personality, her talent and drive, and her convictions.
Grace Kelly’s life story, from Philadelphia to Monaco, is explored in detail, as well as the legacy she left every step of the way. Drawing from Grace’s personal objects housed in the archives of the Palace of Monaco and the Grimaldi Forum, this extraordinary exhibition brings together more than 100 objects. Letters, photographs, home videos, awards, couture fashion and other personal artifacts, as well as film clips, playbills, and souvenirs from her acting career provide an intimate portrait of a woman who held fast to her family, her friends, and her principality.
The Doylestown-based museum has 35,400 square feet of space, with a landscaped courtyard, an outdoor sculpture garden, a museum shop and café. The Michener Art Museum is the only USA stop for the international exhibit titled: “From Philadelphia to Monaco: GRACE KELLY Beyond the Icon” open through January 26. (It is highly recommended that you purchase tickets in advance 800-595-4849)
And in honor of Princess Grace, you can even visit a real castle in Doylestown! Fonthill Castle is part of the Mercer Museum, which houses an enormous collection of pre-industrial Americana. Fonthill Castle has ongoing events year-round, particularly at Christmastime.
Or see what else Doylestown can offer to enhance your visit.
If you want to see where Grace Kelly first graced the stage, continue on Route 202 North towards New Hope at the Bucks County Playhouse at 70 S Main. This is where Grace Kelly made her professional stage debut in 1949 in the The Torch-Bearers. The Bucks County Playhouse is a local institution and over its 70 years, a veritable Who’s Who of Hollywood and Broadway legends have played the stage including, Angela Lansbury, Bea Arthur, Walter Matthau, Uta Hagen, Leslie Neilson, Jessica Tandy and Hume Cronyn (in their first stage production together), Liza Minnelli, Helen Hayes, Tovah Feldshuh, Andrea McArdle, June Lockhart, Colleen Dewhurst, Kitty Carlisle, Bert Lahr, and Robert Redford, to name a few
If you cannot take in a performance, enjoy a delightful scenic drive following River Road (Route 32) on the banks of the Delaware River back to I-95, psotioning you to either head north to New York City (80 miles) or south back to Philadelphia (40 miles).
To the fans of Grace Kelly and Princess of Monaco around the world, share your comments on how you made this journey an even more graceful day.
