Imagine spending the holidays in a cozy cottage or a beautiful mansion, with more than 1 million lights glowing in the distance. Such a getaway is possible, thanks to the new short-term lodging options that Tierney and David Abel have added to the 280-acre estate in Elizabethtown that once was owned by chocolate mogul, William Klein III.
The Rockin’ Retro’s chic living room pays homage to mid-century styling.
It’s funny how fate – or in the Abels’ opinion, God – intervenes in our lives. “I don’t believe there are coincidences in life,” Tierney says. “Things happen for a reason.” Take Stone Gables, for instance. In the mid-’80s, David happened to be driving along Market Street in Elizabethtown, when he noticed a man erecting a For Sale sign in front of the Klein home. Intrigued, he stopped and discovered the man was none other than William Klein III, who had built the house in 1924 on the highest point he could find that would provide a view of his chocolate factory (now M&M Mars).
David saw the property as being the perfect home for his family that eventually included 15 children, a dozen of whom had been adopted from around the world. When he became the owner of the house, David doubled its size, adding a conservatory, enlarging the kitchen/breakfast area and incorporating amenities such as a 19-seat theater, a museum and outdoor features. The estate would also become the home of Brittany’s Hope, a foundation that honors one of the Abel children who was tragically killed in a traffic accident, and benefits abandoned children the world over.
The wall mural brings back memories for Tierney. Her parents operated an A&W drive-in franchise, where she began working as a “curbie” at the age of 14.
Fate (or God) also played a role in David and Tierney becoming acquainted. Tierney, who grew up in the Midwest, had spent much of her life in Florida, where she had been a successful real estate agent for 30 years. David is the founder of DAS Distributors, which specializes in truck and auto supplies, travel gear and mobile electronics. Thirteen years ago, the two were in California for business-related reasons. “Neither of us wanted to go,” recalls Tierney, who was there to address a real estate symposium. “We were both busy; but we went.”
The two not only ended up on the same flight on their return to the East Coast, but they were seated next to each other. “I’m used to asking people questions, so I interrogated him,” Tierney recalls. A long-distance, two-year courtship ensued. Marriage followed and Tierney moved to Lancaster County. “I love it here, but Florida will always have my heart,” she says. “In fact, I still have a house there.”
Growing Stone Gables
It was obvious from the outset that David had gained a perfect partner in Tierney. She laughs and says, “David’s gift is vision; I consider myself to be the armchair quarterback who takes that vision and runs with it.” Together, they come up with ideas and new projects for the estate of which they consider themselves to be its stewards as opposed to being its owners. When asked if they put limits on discussing business, Tierney thinks a moment and says the only instance she can think of is the first time they drive through the Christmas lighting display. “We agree just to take it all in, enjoy it and not offer any critiques,” she says of the display that has steadily grown in size and scope over the last several years and this year will offer three new features. “If you love what you do, then it’s not work,” Tierney says of incorporating their shared love of antiques, period architecture and time-honored craftsmanship into the estate’s venues and attractions.
Of course, the crown jewel of Stone Gables Estate is The Star Barn, which is surrounded by smaller outbuildings that once comprised a farm in Middletown. Dating to 1877, the Gothic Revival-style barn performed its duty until 1986, when farming operations ceased, and the property was eventually reduced to slightly more than three acres. A lack of maintenance led to the barn’s steady deterioration, as did the effects of traffic on busy Route 283 and continuous development around it. Efforts to save the barn were launched but really never gained traction.
In 2014, alarmed at the condition of the iconic barn, the Abels made inquiries about purchasing it, becoming its owners by year’s end. Their intention was to dismantle the barn and rebuild it at Stone Gables. More than a year was spent on ironing out zoning issues and securing continued National Register status. “It was a long and involved process,” says Tierney. By 2016, with approvals in place, the dismantlement of the barn began, as did excavation work at Stone Gables. In 2017, a barn-raising festival was held that involved 4,000 participants. Companies and tradespeople that specialize in historic preservation and period building techniques added their talents to the venture. “We asked them to do some very difficult projects,” Tierney says of the authenticity they aimed to achieve. Since then, The Star Barn has hosted countless weddings and events. Together with the other outbuildings, the area is now called The Star Barn Village.
The Abels also acquired what is now called Ironstone Ranch. The 100-acre property dates to 1860, when it was used as a dairy farm. In 1928, it became a fruit farm and later, a Christmas tree farm. From a historical perspective, Civil War troops once crossed the property, as did President Lincoln’s funeral train. It’s home to a restored barn, an orchard, a “country chic” farmhouse that is available for short-term rentals, as well as a smaller barn. It also functions as a working horse ranch and is used for everything from weddings to Civil War reenactments. The ranch is also unique in that 100% of the net profits from events held there benefit Brittany’s Hope. It represents the Abels’ mission to host “Events with a Purpose.”
Yet another site – St. Michael’s Vineyard – has been transformed into a Victorian garden. It provides amenities such as a 30-foot-wide gazebo, an outbuilding from The Star Barn property that is referred to as Corn Crib II, a Tuscan tent with hand-hewn support columns and beams, an iron Victorian gazebo and a solarium, which is deemed the most romantic spot on the property.
Getaways
The Abels’ newest venture focuses on short-term rental homes. Many of the seven properties are located along North Market Street and date to the ’40s and ’50s, although several are older, while two are more current. “We had so many people asking us where they could stay, where could they eat out, that it got us thinking along those lines,” Tierney explains. As “fate” would have it, the project got a jump-start when the Abels were presented with a proposition they immediately agreed to. A house along North Market was in need of TLC. They were asked to buy it, with the caveat that the elderly occupant could continue living there. The Abels agreed to the request.
It fell to Tierney to plan its revival and design its décor. She loved the idea of honoring the house’s mid-century pedigree. “I said, ‘Let’s keep its character, but update it.’” Carrying out the plan was a challenge Tierney relished, as she is the ultimate shopper. “When I was working in real estate, I was doing staging before it was a thing,” she recalls. “I’ve always loved interior design, so I always kept my eyes open for things and pulled from my inventory when a house needed something to show better.”
The Cozy Cottage’s living room was updated/backdated with a new fireplace surround and ceiling beams. Art and a view from the window allude to the attractions that Stone Gables has to offer. “Cozy collage” defines the main-floor bedroom.
She continues that methodology. Living in Lancaster has widened her horizons thanks to antiques meccas such as Adamstown and Columbia, public sales (which she loves), and quaint shops. “Everything is different and new to me up here,” she points out, saying she has been stimulated by the new horizons the region offers in the realm of antiques and creativity. She also is a devotee of online auctions and travels to gift shows in Atlanta in search of items. “Fortunately, I have a husband who gives me great leverage,” she says. “I have storehouses filled with stuff that I know I’ll eventually use.”
In designing the short-term rentals, Tierney likes to add an element of whimsy, otherwise, each property is unique. “I never do the same thing twice,” she says. Tierney named the mid-century house The Rockin’ Retro. Taking down walls allowed her to create a spacious getaway that features a living room, kitchen/dining area and three bedrooms/baths.
“Most of the furniture came from the Black Angus in Adamstown,” she notes. Walk in the front door and you’re greeted by brightly colored mid-century-modern furnishings and a mural (actually, it’s wallpaper) that depicts an A&W Root Beer drive-in. The mural has sentimental value, as Tierney’s parents operated an A&W franchise. “I became a ‘curbie’ at the age of 14,” she says of her first job.
In the kitchen, the original aqua stove top and oven provided the inspiration for the space’s design and color scheme (fortunately, she was able to find a matching refrigerator, as well as smaller appliances). The breakfast room continues the color scheme. Here, the theme is soda fountain, complete with a jukebox, custom booth and Coca-Cola memorabilia. However, the most eye-catching element might be the window valences. “I wanted to do something unique,” she says. Voila! Vintage 45 records and albums solved the dilemma. A black-and-white hexagon-tiled floor unites the two spaces, as does a mural that complements the one in the living room. Guests appreciate the attention that was paid to detail (one called it “amazing”), while others have described the property as “hip” and “one of the coolest” places they had ever stayed.
A few doors down, there is a property that’s been named The Cozy Cottage. Dating to the ’40s or perhaps the ’50s, the Cape Cod was also updated with a new kitchen, while the three bedrooms were transformed into suites with the addition of bathrooms. In the living room, the fireplace was updated with a salvaged surround and beams were added to the ceiling. The theme of the cottage subtly pays homage to farm life through art and accessories.
Yet another property, The Newville Nest, has been fully remodeled and offers a bright and airy interior. Its theme is horses and even includes a “Cowboy Quarters.” The Liberty Spring House is a cozy one-bedroom cottage that sits on the shore of Lake Liberty and has a view of The Star Barn. The newest addition is Hollinger House, which Tierney views as the perfect corporate retreat for someone who is in the area for business purposes.
The crown jewel of the lodging choices is The Klein Mansion. “When I moved to Lancaster, David still had eight kids living at home,” Tierney explains. “When we became empty-nesters – the youngest is now in college – we thought it was time to downsize. The house was just too big for two people.” They remodeled a house on the property to serve as their home and turned The Klein Mansion into a fabulous getaway that especially appeals to wedding parties, in that it offers seven bedrooms, six baths, two living rooms, a conservatory that is furnished as a dining room, a gorgeous kitchen/breakfast room, as well as other amenities. The mansion comes with parameters: you must rent the entire house, which means you could invite 12 or 13 of your nearest and dearest friends to accompany you, as capacity is limited to 14.
The Klein Mansion’s main sitting room features high ceilings, plush furnishings, a Christmas tree and other seasonal decorations.
For the Christmas season, each of the properties is decorated. “We don’t go overboard,” Tierney says. “We just give them a touch of Christmas.” After all, with over 1 million LED lights glowing a short distance away, there’s plenty of Christmas cheer to enjoy. Guests who stay at Stone Gables over the holiday season receive tickets for the drive-thru lighting display, Christmas Village and the National Christmas Center, the museum that was formerly located along Lincoln Highway East and was relocated to a nearby DAS facility while it awaits a new home at Stone Gables.
In addition to the lighting display and the National Christmas Center, dinners (10 are scheduled for 2024) and other events are held at The Star Barn, a Christmas Village pops up at Ironstone Ranch and train excursions with Santa are held. “Last year, we had more than 8,000 cars drive through the lighting display,” Tierney notes. “We also had nearly as many visitors at the National Christmas Center and on the train rides.”
Tierney is reminded of Florida when she steps into the dining room that is located in the conservatory. It’s been updated with a new wall mural, a dining table from Italy (signed by the owner of the company) and lighting that was sourced from a company in Florida.
An Eye to the Future
The fact that the lodgings have proven so popular prompted the Abels to consider moving even more in that direction and offer additional amenities. The short-term rentals have been a hit with wedding parties (especially for destination weddings), as well as for weekend getaways, family get-togethers (such a cousin’s reunion), girlfriend weekends and even a horse lover’s “Sweet 16” birthday. “We could accommodate a family vacation or reunion for as many as 44 people through our short-term rentals,” Tierney reports.
The popularity of the lodging options has prompted the Abels to put onsite dining on the drawing board. “We get so many requests that we decided it’s time to address that,” says Tierney. The Star Barn Manor House, which is in the planning stages, will include two restaurants, 14 guest rooms, a music room and a salon. “It will be lavishly done … but on a budget!”
The Star Barn is the centerpiece of the Christmas activities that are held at Stone Gables, including a drive-thru lighting spectacular that involves more than 1 million lights.
The Abels also are continuing their mission to save period architecture. A more recent acquisition is the Coleman Chapel, which dates to the 1890s and is in West Lebanon Township. The stone structure was purchased in 2022 and will provide yet another wedding venue at Stone Gables. “We’ve also purchased a log home in Schaefferstown, as well as a grist mill that will become an eight-room inn,” Tierney says. “We like things to be of the same vintage,” she says of 19th century architecture. “Everything at Stone Gable has a history.”
Also on the drawing board is repurposing the Belmont Barn, which once stood along the Fruitville Pike, to become the home of the National Christmas Center. It, too, will offer a dining venue, as well as meeting space. “We are expanding our efforts to attract more corporate events to Stone Gables,” Tierney shares, noting that The Star Barn has successfully hosted proms, a winter social event for home-schooled students, and benefits for nonprofit organizations.
Several years ago, artist Liz Hess created a series of paintings that focused on The Star Barn. Here, David and Tierney Abel check on her progress. Photo by Nick Gould.
Of course, an operation as large as Stone Gables Estate could not function without the help of a dedicated staff. “Fortunately, we have people on staff who just love to work here. We’re truly a team,” she says of the 20 full-time and 50 part-time employees who work there in various capacities. “We’re always looking for talented people to join us.”
Stone Gables Estate’s Christmas Light Drive-Thru begins November 29 and continues through January 4 (closed Sundays, Christmas Eve/Day and New Year’s Eve/Day). Hours are Monday-Thursday, 5-8 p.m. and Friday-Saturday, 5-9 p.m. For information about this and other Christmas events at Stone Gables, as well as short-term rentals, visit stonegablesestate.com.
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