The Buhl Mansion: A Monument of Industry and Philanthropy in Sharon, PA
Journey through the bed and breakfast’s storied past, exploring its heritage and the pivotal moments that have shaped its enduring legacy.
The History of Buhl Mansion
Buhl Mansion stands as the architectural legacy of Sharon’s great steel magnate, Frank H. Buhl. Founder of the Sharon Steel Corporation, Buhl helped shape the economic foundation of the Shenango Valley for generations to come.
After graduating from Yale and working alongside industrial titans such as Carnegie and Rockefeller, Frank returned to Sharon, where he met and fell in love with Julia Forker. The couple married on February 8, 1888, and at the request of his mother, Frank commissioned a grand “castle” for his bride. Designed by Youngstown architect Charles Owsley in the Richardsonian Romanesque style, construction began in 1890 and was completed in 1896 — a striking stone mansion built as a testament to love, vision, and prosperity.
The Buhls were not only industrial leaders but devoted philanthropists. Their generosity shaped the community in profound ways, establishing institutions that continue to serve the region today, including the area’s first hospital, the Buhl-Henderson Library, St. John’s Episcopal Church, the Sharon Country Club, and the beloved Buhl Park — home to Lake Julia and the only free public golf course in America.
Yet time was not kind to the Mansion. After Frank and Julia’s passing, the property changed hands repeatedly and suffered years of neglect. Many of its original architectural treasures were lost, and its future grew uncertain.
That future was reclaimed in 1996, when Jim and Donna Winner undertook a remarkable restoration. Through vision, dedication, and reverence for its history, Julia’s “castle” was restored to its original grandeur — ensuring that Buhl Mansion would once again stand as a symbol of elegance, romance, and enduring legacy.
History on Display at Buhl Mansion
We are honored to welcome Julia Buhl’s piano back to Buhl Mansion and delighted to share it with our guests.
This extraordinary instrument is a 1922 Steinway Duo-Art Model A six-foot grand — one of approximately 1,200 produced between 1913 and 1931. Renowned for both craftsmanship and innovation, the Duo-Art player piano was among Steinway’s most sophisticated creations, and surviving examples in such remarkable condition are rare.
Following Julia Buhl’s passing in 1936, the piano was purchased by a private local resident who carefully preserved it for decades. In 1984, it underwent a meticulous restoration at The Player Piano Shop in Cincinnati, Ohio, ensuring its beauty and integrity would endure.
Recently donated to Buhl Park, the instrument has been entrusted to Buhl Mansion on long-term loan by the Buhl Park Corporation Trustees. We are deeply grateful to serve as stewards of this exquisite piece of history — a tangible connection to Julia herself.
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