Princess Grace’s Home to Be Open to the Public
The Philadelphia childhood home of Grace Kelly, the Hollywood actress who married royalty, will be reopened to the public some time next year. According to Prince Albert, Grace’s son and the reigning ruler of Monaco, the home will be remodeled and restored before being opened as regional offices for the Princess Grace Foundation and an extension of Monaco’s Princess Grace Irish Library.
Princess Grace’s old home will be reopened to the public after renovations undertaken by her son, Prince Albert of Monaco. (AP Photo/File)
According to People Magazine: “Discussions concerning this program the library’s first overseas extension — are already underway with Villanova University. Within its current activities, the Irish Library (founded in 1984 in tribute to Grace’s love of literature) sponsors lectures and contemporary author readings, concerts and children’s activities.”
The house was built in 1935 by the princess’s father, John B. Kelly. It has three stories, six bedrooms, and was built in the Colonial style. By Prince Albert’s report, certain parts of the house need extensive fixing up – the previous owner lived in the house for 40 years and didn’t do much in the way of maintenance.
What the house won’t be is a museum, Prince Albert says. He cites the privacy of neighbors and the peace and quiet of the neighborhood as key concerns. At the same time, he promises that there will be special events where the home is opened to the public.
The prince said that renovations might be completed sooner, but that he’s publicly announcing a 2018 opening date so that nobody is disappointed.
Prince Albert has many fond memories of Princess Grace’s former home, which he recounted for People: “I hadn’t seen the house in a good many summers and some of it is in relatively good shape,” he says. “The previous owner hadn’t touched some parts in 40 years. Other parts need great work . . . I can still see the living room carpet. It’s not there anymore but I remember the pattern. And the kitchen where we all had breakfast every morning”
