F.A. and Gertrude Seiberling maintained a happy tradition of hospitality at Stan Hywet Hall, their spectacular 1915 Tudor Revival home in Akron. When F.A., a captain of the city's rubber industry and champion of the Lincoln Highway (fitting, for a tire maker) and his wife put the motto Non Nobis Solum - Not For Us Alone - above the entrance to their impressive estate, they couldn't have known how very many guests the Latin legend would someday welcome.

The home, now a historic museum and beloved Akron institution, will re-open to the public on April 1 with an offering of new exhibits and programming under the theme of History Unplugged: Reconnect at Stan Hywet. "We encourage everyone who visits to 'unplug' from the demands of daily life and enjoy the history of the Manor House and the beauty of the gardens," says Katie Campbell, vice president of marketing for the museum.

This year, visitors can experience Discovering the Elusive Hugo Huber, an exhibit that explores the life and career of Stan Hywet's interior decorator. Although Huber was well-known when he created the magnificent interiors for the Seiberlings' home, his accomplishments have been largely forgotten today. The Museum will also present a series of concerts in the mansion's music room, introduce new family-friendly programming and unveil a refreshed cafe and gift shop in the estate's Carriage House.

Among the first events planned for the Museum's re-opening is the April 11 performance of Michael Haber & Friends, featuring cellist Michael Haber, violinists Ioana Missits and Sae Shiragami, and violist Stanley Konopka. Haber, formerly with the Cleveland Orchestra under conductor George Szell, has also performed with the Casals Festival Orchestra under Pablo Casals and the Mostly Mozart Festival Orchestra at Lincoln Center in New York City. To purchase tickets, visit www.stanhywet.org.

Photo by Corey Ann.