The Wolf Institute of Music

On February 3, 1899, a new piano teacher hung his shingle at 214 North Mulberry Street in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The teacher was Dr. William A. Wolf, and the date was the 90^th anniversary of the birthday of German composer, Felix Mendelssohn. The Wolf Institute of Pianoforte and Organ Playing would become the premier music studio in Lancaster County. Students would travel long distances by trolley to receive their lessons at the Wolf studio.

In 1913, Dr. and Mrs. Wolf purchased the Jonas Martin mansion at 423 West Chestnut Street. This historic house, designed by C. Emlen Urban, became the new home for the institute. For the next approximately seventy years, the Wolf Institute of Music trained many of the best musicians in the Lancaster area.

Dr. Wolf died in 1965 at the age of 89. Mrs. Wolf continued to operate the institute until her death in 1973. In her will, she established their home and music studio as a public charity known as the Wolf Museum of Music and Art.

In 2021, the global pandemic, along with some large maintenance expenses, conspired to put the trust into financial stress. In 2023, the trustees sold the building and its contents, and the proceeds were used to establish The Dr. William A. & Frances Harkness Wolf Music Scholarship for aspiring Lancaster County musicians. Scholarship applications are offered to the students of members of the Lancaster Music Teachers’ Association.

Explore the links below to find out more information about the history of the Wolf Institute of Music, the Wolf Music Scholarship, and the Lancaster Music Teachers Association.