Location

The Commonwealth Chateau at Sugarloaf

The Commonwealth Chateau at Sugarloaf is the site of this year's research retreat. The chateau is located on the campus of Chestnut Hill College surrounded by landscaped gardens and nestled on a hillside above the Wissahickon Valley. The chateau features an expansive dining room where our main sessions will take place, along with multiple breakout rooms for engaging conversation. 

History

The chateau was built as a mansion for the Steel family in 1929. Chestnut Hill College eventually purchased the property in 2008 and proceeded with a  $6 million renovation to restore the mansion, focussing on making the mansion more modern while still keeping a sophistication associated with the Steel era. The renovation included expanding the dining room to be used for classes, conferences, and weddings, along with renovations on a secret apartment, only accessible by a hidden staircase and used for the more prestigious visitors to the chateau. Notable visitors to this exclusive residence include John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, and Gerald Ford.