Springwood / FDR Estate, Hyde Park NY

Springwood Front Facade

Springwood was the home of Eleanor and Franklin D. Roosevelt.  The original Italianate-style house has been added to several times, the most recent modifications were made in 1915.

Roof line detail

The house actually belonged to Franklin’s mother, Sara.  Sara paid for the work that Franklin designed with the architects Hoppin & Koen, doubling the original house’s size.  These alterations gave the house a Colonial Revival Style identity.

Statue of Eleanor and FDR

The estate is quite large and features individual houses for both Eleanor and Franklin, The FDR Presidential Library, a Visitor’s Center, several estate outbuildings and the 32nd President’s Final Resting Place.

Gravesite

Click here to see more of my photos of Springwood.

Chesterwood, Stockbridge MA

Chesterwood is the House and Studio of noted sculptor Daniel Chester French. French is best known for his Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC.   He hired architect Henry Bacon to design this estate between 1898-1901.

The House and Studio

Of all the houses I have visited, this one had the best visitor center display I have seen.  It explains and places in context, the importance of French’s public works.   If you go, definitely plan on spending some time on this exhibit.  It is well worth your time.

Front Facade of House

The house itself is rather modest.

Front Facade of Studio

French’s studio is a fantastic space.  Visible in the above picture, if you look through the door, you will see French’s final sculpture, Andromeda.  It is as he left it in the work space.

Studio from garden

The studio also has entertaining areas along with the work areas, and it is situated in a garden setting.

A contemporary sculpture on the grounds.

Interspersed on the grounds are works by contemporary sculptors.

Lincoln Sculpture

As well as works by French’s daughter, such as this Lincoln Sculpture.

Click here to see more of my photos of Chesterwood.

Timber Point, Great River NY

Timber Point was built as a working farm for William L. Breeze in 1882. The architect of the original building is not known at this time, but it was Queen Anne in Style. In 1905, Timber Point was sold to Julian T. Davies. Mr Davies hired the architects Hart and Shape to alter the house and create the Colonial Revival Style structure we see today. Today, it is part of Suffolk County Parks and it’s grounds are used as a golf course.

Timber Point

Interior - Great Hall

Beech Tree at Entrance to Timber Point

Please visit my other Website  for more information and photos of
Timber Point on the South Shore History Site.  You can also visit my Flickr site.

Meadow Edge, West Sayville, NY

Meadow Edge is the former Anson Hard Estate.  It was built in 1905 by the architect Issac H. Green.  It is Colonial Revival in style.

Meadow Edge Estate

Today, the estate is home to the West Sayville Country Club at Charles R. Dominy County Park, as well as the Long Island Maritime Museum, and the Greenhouse Recreation Opportunities Workshop (G.R.O.W.) Sponsored by DDI, The Developmental Disabilities Institute.

Carriage House

Main Gate House

Side Gate House

Greenhouses at Meadow Edge

Please visit my other Website  for more information and photos of
Meadow Edge on the South Shore History Site.  You can also visit my Flickr site.