An exhibit I am curating which will be on display March 14, 2013 to June 16, 2013 at the Islip Art Museum.
Tag Archives: historic homes
Inisfada, Manhasset NY
Inisfada (Gaelic, meaning Long Island) was built for Nicholas and Genevieve Brady in 1919 by the architect John Torrey Windrim.
It is an excellent example of the Tudor Revival Style.
The facade of the house is decorated with scenes from Fairy Tales.
In addition to the fables, the facade is beautifully decorated with nature. Here, the top of each capitol is decorated with a different flower.
Also, each chimney on the house is decorated differently.
The interior of the house has many of its original furnishings.
On the grounds there are several beautiful memorials.
The house is presently serving as the St. Ignatius Jesuit Retreat House, which is unfortunately, slated to close on June 1, 2013. This Manhasset, NY house is currently up for sale at $49 million. After visiting this beautiful house, I personally would hate to see it demolished. I believe that the Jesuits are being short sighted in their desire to divest themselves of this property. There is a need for a place like this in today’s society – this perhaps has never been more true than now – after the wrath of Hurricane Sandy and in the wake of the Newtown (CT) shootings.
Click Here to see many more of my photos from Inisfada.
Filed under Long Island Historic Homes
Ventfort Hall, Lenox MA
Ventfort Hall was designed by the architects Rotch & Tilden in 1891.
This summer home was built for Sarah Morgan, the sister of J. Pierpont Morgan.
It is in the Jacobean Revival style.
This mansion was very nearly lost to the wreaking ball in the 1990’s. Extensive restoration work is taking place both inside and out. Some of this work was made possible from a site use fee – the house was used as the Orphanage in the Movie “The Cider House Rules.”
Click here to see more of my photos of Ventfort Hall.
Filed under Berkshires
Springwood / FDR Estate, Hyde Park NY
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.
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.
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.
Click here to see more of my photos of Springwood.
Filed under New York State Off LI
Olana, Hudson NY
Olana was the home and studio of Hudson River School artist Frederic Edwin Church.
The house was designed by Calvert Vaux (best known for his work on NYC’s Central Park) in 1872.
It is a Persian styled confection located at the top of a hill, overlooking the Hudson River.
The day I visited, the house was not open to the public and extensive restoration work was being performed on the exterior. I look forward to returning here one day.
It seems that there are 2 web sites for this park. One by a friends group and one by NY State. If you decide to visit, the hours posted on the State Site seem to be more up-to-date.
Click here to see more of my photos of Olana.
Filed under New York State Off LI
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.
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.
The house itself is rather modest.
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.
The studio also has entertaining areas along with the work areas, and it is situated in a garden setting.
Interspersed on the grounds are works by contemporary sculptors.
As well as works by French’s daughter, such as this Lincoln Sculpture.
Click here to see more of my photos of Chesterwood.
Filed under Berkshires
The Mount, Lenox MA
Edith Wharton’s home in the Berkshires.
Edith Wharton designed this house with the help of Ogden Codman, Jr. and
Francis L.V. Hoppin (of Hoppin & Koen) between 1901-1902. It embodies all she and Codman wrote about in 1897 in the “Decoration of Houses.”
The exterior of the house exudes symmetry and balance. It is said that the house is based on Belton House, a 17th-century Palladian-style English country house, with classical Italian and French influences.
To me, the true beauty of this house comes form its relationship to the surrounding landscape and gardens.
The Gardens were designed by Wharton and her niece, Beatrix Jones Farrand. They include a walled garden in the Italian style; flower garden reflecting French and English design influences; rock garden; lime walk; grass terraces; and kitchen garden.
Click here to see more of my photos of the Mount.
Filed under Berkshires
Vanderbilt Mansion, Hyde Park NY
Of all the Vanderbilt Homes I have visited, this might be my favorite. It was designed in 1895 by McKim, Mead & White for Frederick Vanderbilt.
I love the scale of the rooms. The mansion is like a jewel box with all the public rooms arranged off the large oval entrance hall.
A skylight and 2nd floor balcony are above the main entrance hall.
One of the most amazing rooms in the home is Mrs. Vanderbilt’s bedroom. It is inspired by the Marie Antoinette chamber at The Palace of Versailles.
The Mansion is overlooking magnificent grounds and the Hudson River.
Today the mansion is owned by the National Park Service.
Click here to see more of my photos of the Vanderbilt Mansion at Hyde Park.
Filed under New York State Off LI
Longwood Estate, Middle Island NY
This property was once the most northern part of the Manor of St. George. Today it is parkland preserved by the Town of Brookhaven. The Estate consists of farm buildings, a one room school house, a caretaker’s cottage, etc. The house itself has been added onto multiple times and is representative of vernacular architecture of its place and time.
Click here to see more of my photos of the Longwood Estate.
Filed under Long Island Historic Homes
Wave Hill, The Bronx NY
Wave Hill is a public garden that is owned by the City of New York. It is comprised of two adjacent estates – Wave Hill House and Glyndor House.
Glyndor House is used as an art gallery.
When I visited, Wave Hill House was undergoing extensive renovations. Both houses are on a hill, above the Hudson River and overlooking the Palisades.
Both houses have had quite a history with many prominent owners and visitors. See http://www.wavehill.org/about/history/ for a full history of the site. This garden is well worth the visit – the grounds are just glorious!
Click here to see more of my photos of Wave Hill.