The Glen Foerd estate was established by Charles Macalester, Jr. Born in Philadelphia in 1798, he was a respected businessman and broker. In 1850, Macalester purchased 1,000 acres in northeastern Philadelphia and divided, plotted and sold off large lots of his land. Holding onto one section of the land for a summer residence, he built a three story Italianate riverfront house and called it Glengarry, after his family’s Scottish ancestral home. In addition to the mansion, the estate consisted of a stone gas house, ice house, Gothic-style gatehouse, a sixty foot high stone water tower, five large greenhouses and riverfront cupola. 

Glengarry was the scene of many gala affairs. During the summer, heads of state and other dignitaries traveled from Washington, D.C., where Macalester maintained a residence, as guests of Macalester and his daughter, Lily Macalester Laughton, a famous Washington hostess. 

In 1895, the mansion was purchased by Robert and Caroline Foerderer. After purchasing the estate, Foerderer hired architect, William McAuley of Philadelphia, to handle extensive renovations to the mansion. The house was enlarged and enhanced with Classical Revival additions. A carriage house and garden house was added at this time, and the gas house was converted for use as a boat house. Everything was planned to enhance the uniqueness and beauty of the home and to accommodate entertainment on a grand scale. As a final touch, they changed the name of the estate to Glen Foerd, a merger of Glengarry and the Foerderer name.

Catering fees Includes: 

• Riverside Pavilion with white reception chairs, 60-inch round tables, dance floor, 

custom-made bars and five service tables. Ask for our list of elegant upgrades and 

custom finishes 

• Custom menu with a cocktail hour; sit-down or stations-style dinner; dessert 

station and butlered desserts, artisan coffee and tea station; non-alcoholic 

beverages, bar mixers and bar fruit 

• Rental china, flatware, glassware, linens and additional service tables 

• Event staff for set-up, event service and breakdown 

• Full event coordination: event timeline; coordinating vendors; alcohol purchase 

and returns; ceremony coordination; event layout and execution plan; 

ceremony rehearsal 

• Service charge and sales tax