| Oaks Cloister | |
| Location: | 5829 Wissahickon Ave Philadelphia, PA 19141 |
| Location Town: | Germantown |
| Completion Date: | c1904 |
| Architect: | Joseph Miller Huston |
| Architectural Style: | Tudor Craftsman Beaux-Arts, Renaissance Revival |
| Renovation Date: | 2002-2012 |
| Designations: | Pennsylvania Registry of Historic Places |
| Ren Oth Designers: | Dr. Russell Harris and Mr. John Casavecchia |
Oaks Cloister is a historic mansion in the Germantown section of Philadelphia. It was built in 1900 by the architect Joseph Miller Huston (1866-1940). Huston, who was the architect of the Pennsylvania Capitol, built Oaks Cloister as his home and studio.
The Tudor style home incorporates architectural elements and work by many capitol artists.[1] Oaks Cloister was fully restored to its original glory in 2012, and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2019.
Joseph Miller Huston was born in Philadelphia in 1866. He trained and worked as an architect during college and graduated from Princeton University in 1892. Huston founded his own firm in 1895, just a few short years after starting his career with famous Philadelphia architect Frank Furness.[2] Huston designed Oaks Cloister creating an eclectic blend of English Tudor and Swiss Chalet influences.
Huston designed portions of Oaks Cloister during the construction of his best known work, the Pennsylvania State Capitol. Oaks Cloister is an eclectic blend of Tudor and Craftsman styles, with the Beaux-Arts flair of the capitol project mixed-in. Oaks Cloister became a test lab and an intimate sampler of the capitol's architectural features. This is evident with Huston's use of scaled design mock-ups and identical detailing throughout the home. Huston lived at Oaks Cloister until his death in 1940.
Oaks Cloister remained in the Huston family until 1955 when it was bought by the Rev. John Wilbur Gouker and Mrs. Loice Ferdinand Gouker. The Goukers worked tirelessly and lovingly to preserve the rich history of Oaks Cloister. A short video was created showcasing the home during the Goukers' ownership. The video was produced by the Pennsylvania Capitol Preservation Committee and called, "Oaks Cloister—The Home of Capitol Architect Joseph Huston". After the Goukers sold the home c.1994, the property fell into disrepair and eventually was left abandoned.[3]
After years of dereliction, this esteemed estate appeared to be doomed. In 2002, Dr. Russell Harris and Mr. John Casavecchia acquired the property, saving it from impending demolition.[4] The rebirth of this relic took more than a decade of painstaking restoration efforts by ONeal Studios. Bringing the mansion back to its original glory proved to be a monumental task. However, this dedicated labor of love did not come without its fair share of rewards. Many hidden treasures were unearthed during construction and brought back to life from the dilapidated ruins.
Every space in the century old, 20-room mansion has been restored to its original beauty. Some of the more distinguished refurbished areas include:
The restored facility, with its convenient location, large gathering spaces, and interesting past has served as a popular meeting venue for various organizations and special events.[11]
In 2009, Oaks Cloister was used as a filming location for the movie, Cold By Nature.
A Pennsylvania state historic marker was placed on the property on October 20, 2005. It reads: "Joseph Huston (1866-1940) Oaks Cloister, built in 1900, was the home and studio of Philadelphia born Huston, architect of the Pa. Capitol. His Tudor home incorporates architectural elements and work by many capitol artists. He began his career at Furness and Evans, starting his firm in 1895."[12] [2]
Oaks Cloister was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on April 22, 2019. [13]