Benedum estate listed for $2.9M near Ligonier
The Benedum family no longer has any heirs to carry on the family name, or to own and operate the family residence near Ligonier.
Butterfly Farm, owned by the late philanthropist Paul G. Benedum, known by most as “Benny,” died from a heart attack while visiting Florida in May 2023.
His death and no family heirs have resulted in the sale of the expansive estate in Cook Township near Ligonier.
Neighbor Jerry McDowell was Benny’s close friend and longtime caretaker of Butterfly Farm.
“It’s the only job I’ve ever had,” McDowell said while providing a tour of the secluded, serene and heavily wooded farm that offers sweeping views of the countryside and the ultimate in privacy blended with nature. “That’s what’s so sad. It’s the end of an era.
“Benny liked to sit on the bleachers and enjoy the view,” McDowell said, pointing to wooden bleachers overlooking a massive field with rolling hills in the distance.
McDowell was 12 when the buzz surrounding the new construction of the Benedum home was the big news in 1969.
“My father was the caretaker and I took over from him,” McDowell said.
Processing Benny’s death and the sale of the farm has been emotional for him.
“Benny was like a big brother to me. He always called me his little brother,” he said.
Mike Higgins became friends with Benny more than 50 years ago while attending a party at the Fox Chapel Golf Club hosted by Benedum’s father.
“He was the last surviving Benedum,” said Higgins, 83, of Benny. “But it’s not the end to his legacy by any means.”
Benny was an only child and Butterfly Farm served as the primary residence for the Benedum family in Pennsylvania.
Higgins remembered his first visit to Butterfly Farm. He went on to visitfrequently.
“I was impressed with the grounds, the beautiful lake. I trained my dog there all the time,” Higgins said. “I recall driving up that long driveway, going up the hill and winding through the woods.”
Benedum was the son of Paul G. and Willeen Ludwig Benedum and the great-nephew of legendary oil businessman Michael L. Benedum.
He died at 92, unmarried and without children.
“There’s no one in the Benedum family that’s been left to enjoy this,” Howard Hanna Luxury Realtor Annette D. Ganassi said. “It’s unusual.”
In addition to the large five-bedroom, six-bathroom home, with more than 7,600 square feet of living space and four fireplaces, the grounds include 60 acres with a seven-acre spring-fed lake and a separate log cabin featuring a stone wood-burning fireplace. The farm offers high-speed internet, a requirement for most buyers, Ganassi said.
It was originally listed for $3.5 million last year. The annual taxes are $35,509, according to online records.
“The original shape of the property on the blueprint was shaped like a butterfly,” McDowell said of the choice of name for the property.
The McDowell family originally owned 750 acres. Their land is connected to Butterfly Farm on three sides.
McDowell’s father, Eugene, began working as the Benedum family caretaker in 1959 after the Benedums bought 145 acres from Rolling Rock Farms.
“Land was sold off two to three times, some bought by our family,” McDowell explained.
The Benedums always kept about 25 acres of the farm landscaped.
“I’m just hoping for a nice person,” McDowell said of the prospect of getting a new neighbor after working for the Benedums for more than 40 years.
Ganassi said a potential buyer for this type of property will likely have a multitude of interests: “Someone who likes history, antiques, nature, privacy, hunting and enjoying the lake.”
“Everyone who has looked at the home lives within an hour of Butterfly Farm,” Ganassi said of potential buyers.
Benny, a Shady Side Academy and Brown University alumnus, played an active role in the family business. He created the Paul G. Benedum Jr. Foundation, with a mission of providing educational opportunities to underserved individuals.
Buildings bearing the Benedum name include The Benedum Center for the Performing Arts in Downtown Pittsburgh, Benedum Hall at the University of Pittsburgh in Oakland and The Benedum-Trees Building on Fourth Avenue in Downtown Pittsburgh.
Benedum worked as a geologist and businessman and enjoyed fishing and jazz. He was a noted philanthropist.
Higgins visited more frequently after Benny’s mother died.
“You had a feeling of real comfort when you were in the house. It didn’t display wealth. He had a beautiful den and it was his office. He made guests feel the same way. He was not the least bit pretentious.”
Higgins’ preferred hangout location was Benny’s den, which features exposed beams, cherry paneling, nature views and a large stone fireplace.
“When you went in there, it was like a different world. He had big leather couches and it was all warm and comfortable,” Higgins said.
Higgins reflected on the loss of not only his friend, but on the reality of the family surname ceasing.
“There’s a sense of sadness and loss, because of everything, and I won’t have access to the farm,” Higgins said.
Benny, who loved to fish, was a global angler who enjoyed fishing trips to New Zealand, Alaska and South America.
“That lake is chock full of large-mouth bass,” Higgins said. “And Benny loved to sit in the bleachers and enjoy the view of the grounds from there.”
Wildlife encounters on the farm are frequent and include black bear, deer, turkey and more.
The home furnishings were recently sold and/or donated and monies from the sale of the farm will go back to the estate and foundation, which has a mission of providing educational opportunities for the less fortunate.
Higgins said he’ll miss visiting the Ligonier countryside, and his friend.
“It’s really weird being in this empty house. I’ve done all the tear-shedding that I have to do,” Higgins said.
Joyce Hanz is a native of Charleston, S.C. and is a features reporter covering the Pittsburgh region. She majored in media arts and graduated from the University of South Carolina. She can be reached at jhanz@triblive.com
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