Playhouse

Playhouse. . , The Playhouse was built in 1897. It was designed by the architectural firm Alden and Harlow, along with a new greenhouse next door. The Playhouse was a center of activity for the privileged Frick children. Daughter Helen played and entertained friends in the drawing room on the first floor, while another room was used by son Childs as a photographic darkroom. Family photographs show many children gathered here for parties and events. The Clayton Cadets, a drill team organized by Childs, sometimes practiced upstairs. The second floor was also used for dancing lessons and gym classes., The Playhouse is currently closed to the public., [Captions:] , Helen and Childs Frick were able to use the children's playhouse to truly "play house," practicing many of the roles that would be expected of them as adults, through entertaining friends, organizing activities, and practicing other social skills like dancing., The original furniture in the first floor drawing room was scaled down in size for the young hostess and her friends., The long wing off the rear of the Playhouse was originally a bowling alley. The lanes are intact under the current floor., Childs Frick c. 1897, stands at center front of the Clayton Cadets, a drill team he organized with boys from the neighborhood.