Prince Albert of Monaco has a new American Home at 3901 Henry Avenue in the East Falls neighborhood of Philadelphia, near the Schuylkill River and surrounded by Philadelphia University (that today incorporates the Ravenhill All-Girl Catholic school Grace attended) and Drexel University College of Medicine. However, this colonial home is not entirely new to him or his family as it was the childhood home of his mother, Actress Grace Kelly and Princess Grace of Monaco, built by her father, John B. Kelly Sr., who began his career as a bricklayer before he made his fortune in construction.
In October 2016, Prince Albert visited the newly-purchased 4000 square-foot home and reminisced with Kelly family members as they entered a virtual time capsule, including original wall paper and even markings in a door where the Kellys etched in their heights over the years. While exact plans for the future of the home are not set in stone, it is likely to hold space for Prince Albert’s charitable foundation and possibly special exhibitions showcasing Princess Grace and her life as Grace Kelly.
Having graduated from Amherst in Massachusetts, Prince Albert has a special place in his heart for America, just like his father, Prince Rainier III. Although born and raised in Europe, Prince Rainier was quite American in his thinking and part of the growth and expansion of Monaco was inspired by American ideals.
Prince Rainier became engaged to his future princess, Grace Kelly, at her family’s Philadelphia home, and he always looked forward to family vacations in America that allowed him freedom from the formalities and responsibilities in Monaco. In “My Days with Princess Grace of Monaco” there are numerous references to the connection with America, and Prince Rainier expressed in a letter how he was particularly distraught when the Monegasque people would not permit Princess Grace to return to acting in Alfred Hitchcock’s “Marnie” as he had been looking forward to spending time with the family in the U.S. while Grace made the film: “Many thanks for your letter, but as there is no film scheduled, our plans may be changed as to the trip over and the stay in the States. There is the crisis… and this will command any of our moves. A sure thing is that I will not leave the spot until all is over or going to a satisfactory issue. Then and only then shall I yearn to get a breath of fresh air of true liberty in your country!!”
As the proud owner of Philadelphia real estate, Prince Albert is now poised to connect his twin children, Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella, with their American roots and all their American cousins.
In an interview with People, Prince Albert shared: “The house was very beautiful and very special to our family. I remember one visit, one of the earliest I recall, Grandma put me up in one of the bedrooms upstairs. I must have been about 5 and it was one of the first times I remember when I wasn’t put in with my sister. I remember just staring out the window, watching the cars go by, enjoying being alone.” He concluded, “The house is filled with little moments like that. Moments of being a family.”
In time, this American colonial home will become a Philadelphia gem. Prince Albert is very happy to preserve his mother’s house – and the house his grandfather built – just as Grace had rescued the ancestral family home in Ireland.
Grace Kelly bought her Ancestral Home
Prince Albert may have been inspired by his mother’s quest for preserving the past. Always proud of her Irish heritage, Princess Grace went to Ireland in 1961 and visited the old cottage where her grandfather had lived, Drimulra (which she later purchased). Princess Grace travelled to Ireland to visit her roots and although it was one of the most frightful trips because of the padamonium of her celebrity at the time (see video of crushing crowds) it also turned into a symbolic and significant moment for her – returning again and again – as well as establishing the Irish Museum in Monaco itself.
Prince Albert New Home Recognized as Historic Place
Back in late 2011, the former home to Princess Grace of Monaco, Grace Kelly, received certification by the Pennsylvania State Commission of historic places. With a grant from the Preservation Alliance of PA, a state marker would pay tribute to Princess Grace, her father John B. Kelly, Sr, three-time Olympic gold medal rowing champion and his son, John Brendan Kelly, Jr., Olympic bronze medal winner for rowing and winner of the Henley Regatta.
The long awaited Pennsylvania Historical Marker honoring the Kelly Family was dedicated on Saturday, Oct. 27 , 2013 Commemorating the Kelly Family, the sign reads as follows:
A successful businessman, John B. Kelly, Sr founded “Kelly for Brickwork” and built the house at 3901 Henry Avenue in 1925. His children grew up in the house: Margaret Katherine “Peggy” and John Brendan, Jr. “Kell, or Jack”; Her Serene Highness Princess Grace “Grace”, and Elizabeth Anne “Lizanne”.
Whether the house on 3901 Henry avenue will ever become an official Grace Kelly Museum may be up to the neighborhood to embrace. Adjacent to the property is the 6-acre McMichael Park named after the former Mayor of Philadelphia. And just a couple of blocks down the street on Henry Road road is the Falls Center development that revitalized the historic Women’s Medical College (later Medical College of Pennsylvania), which has already held space for a mini Grace Kelly exhibition in the spring of 2015, when it hosted a collection of dresses worn by Grace in her movies.
Nearby you can still find the Old Academy Players – originally the old Academy Playhouse where Grace Kelly began her acting career (between the ages of 11 and 14 Grace performed in six plays – including the 1943 play titled “Star Bound”) that eventually brought her to the stage at the Bucks County Playhouse and then culminated in 11 movies. Grace Kelly won the New York Film Critics Circle Awards, took home the Golden Globe and became an Academy Award Oscar winning actress before she married Prince Ranier III of Monaco, and was Princess of Monaco from 1956 to her death in 1982.
Not far away, sits a statue of Grace Kelly’s father on the banks of the Schuylkill River. John “Jack” Kelly Sr. remains one of the world’s most revered rowers of all time – he also ran for mayor of Philadelphia in 1935. Grace’s brother, John Jr. (known as “Kell” by family), also once ran for mayor – he was a city councilman. Kelly Drive near the statue is named after the family.
If only those walls could talk : Inside 3901 Henry Aveneue
This home holds many memories for the Kelly clan, including the worldwide news coverage of the engagement of 26 year-old Grace Kelly to 32 year-old Prince Rainier III of Monaco back in December of 1955. As the climax to a most defining year for Grace, the media feasted on the union of America’s favorite Hollywood actress with Europe’s most eligible bachelor prince.
John Kelly Sr.’s widow, Margaret, sold the 3901 Henry Avenue house on April 10, 1974 to Thomas J. and Janet Lawnton, who then passed it on to Anthony J. and Marjorie Bamont a mere six days later. There have been no other owners since, despite a near kerfuffle in late 2016 when the elderly Mrs. Bamont’s love for cats involved the local authorities. The home’s exterior was at risk of becoming a shadow of its former glory, and the passing of Mrs. Bamont in April of 2016 prompted the East Falls Historical Society to reach out to Prince Albert in Monaco, fielding an inquiry for the possible acquisition of the property.
In Summer of 2016, the initial million-dollar listing came on to the market, but was ultimately reduced and sold at a more reasonable figure of USD$ 754,000. The home still held up to old-world charms, like the built in display cases, the wood-paneled living room and even distinctive vintage wallpaper that seems to have withstood the test of time… and interim home owners.
The real estate listing for 3901 Henry Avenue reads as follows:
“A rare opportunity when opening this door of this residence to go back in time to see the home where a fairy tale came to life. This handsome brick colonial was built by the famous John B Kelly Family. A three time Olympic gold medal winner in the 1920s. John Jr. also was an Olympic bronze medal winner in 1956 and the winner of the 1947 British Henley Regatta. The famous Grace Kelly who was an Academy Award winning actress and became a Princess of Monaco when she married Prince Rainier of Monaco grew up in this house.
Guests are welcomed by way of a semi circular driveway leading into the spacious foyer. Off the foyer to the right is the formal living room with wood paneled walls and fireplace where many notable personalities gathered for festive occasions. If only those walls could talk! Off this room is the enclosed porch used as the upstairs family room. The formal dining room was truly fit for a Prince! Moldings and Clam shelled nooks, wainscoting accent the decor. The kitchen has built in cabinets and a lovely breakfast room to feed all.
The upper levels host 4 bedrooms and baths on 2nd level along with the 3rd floor 2 additional bedrooms and bath. See the door where the Kellys etched in their heights over the years. The basement has a fireplace and was the formal den. There is an additional room set up as a bar, where a lot of entertaining was enjoyed. The estate sits on .69acres of land with garden areas. Conveniently located and easy access to the city, this house is a diamond waiting to be polished and brought back to it’s original splendor. Come visit where great life events took place and were enjoyed.”
No doubt the future will hold new memories for the princely family as it revitalizes the home, likely bringing mementoes of Grace Kelly back home and continuing the preservation of his mother’s lasting legacy.
