A once-popular behind-the-scenes tour that ended during the covid shutdown is back at Hartwood Acres Mansion.

The Seldom Seen Tour, highlighting areas not shown to visitors during a regular mansion tour, returns April 17.

The unique, one-hour tour was occasionally offered during the early 2000s through 2016. Feedback from other tourgoers consistently included an interest in going beyond the “no entrance” signs placed throughout the historic residence.

The April 17 tour has already sold out.

More Seldom Seen tours will be available in the coming months, according to Hartwood Mansion manager and program director Toni Hoffman.

Hartwood mansion is a 31-room historic estate in Indiana Township and was built in 1929 for the late John and Mary Flinn Lawrence.

Hartwood Acres Park occupies both Hampton and Indiana Townships.

Mary Flinn Lawrence was part of Pittsburgh’s high society and used her inheritance money to purchase approximately 479 acres in Hampton Township to build the Tudor-style mansion modeled after estates from the Cotswold area in England.

In the past, the Seldom Seen tour was offered twice per year.

“It is crazy popular and we wanted to bring it back,” Hoffman said.

Docents will lead participants to off-limit areas to explore what lies above and below the main areas of Hartwood Mansion, including the basement and attic.

“We encourage people to ask questions,” Hoffman said.

She didn’t want to reveal much about the tour but said it includes visiting the utilitarian concrete basement that once housed a wine cellar and the large attic.

“There are several rooms in the basement that house the organ pipes,” Hoffman said. “Nobody ever lived in the basement, but the attic did have two rooms for servants if needed.”

Surviving descendant Jeffrey S. Lawrence, son of John W. Lawrence Jr. and grandson of John and Mary Flinn Lawrence, grew up exploring the mansion and still makes trips from Ohio to visit what he has referred to as his second home.

He’s pleased to see the return of the specialized tour.

“It’s been years since they had that tour and when I visit I usually go to the attic and basement to walk around,” Jefferey Lawrence said. “It’s really cool — cork on the walls for insulation — a huge space.”

Hoffman said although the tour visits the same areas, each docent adds their own historical style and presentation to each tour.

“We’re very excited to offer it again. Even if you came on this tour years ago, you could learn something different,” said Hoffman.

The majority of the mansion contents remain as they did when Mary lived there.

“This house feels like a home. Allegheny County purchased the contents of the mansion and that makes it very special. We’re very lucky to work here,” Hoffman said.

Per the provisions in her will, Mary Flinn Lawrence’s 485-acre estate was sold to Allegheny County in 1969 with the condition that Lawrence and her servants be permitted to remain in the residence until her death. She passed away at the home in 1974.

Hartwood opened to the public in 1976 as Hartwood Acres Park, part of the nine Allegheny County Parks system.

The tour is suitable for all ages but does include navigating a lot of stairs and visitors are asked to call 412-767-9200 with any accessibility questions.

Tours are offered Monday-Friday. Prices for Allegheny County residents are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors 60 and older and $6 for children 17 and younger. Non-residents pay $2 more per ticket.

Hoffman said May’s Seldom Seen tour date is undecided but the Hartwood website will be updated with future tour dates.