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.

Olana, Hudson NY

Olana was the home and studio of Hudson River School artist Frederic Edwin Church.

Front Entrance

The house was designed by Calvert Vaux (best known for his work on NYC’s Central Park) in 1872.

Roof Line Detail

It is a Persian styled confection located at the top of a hill, overlooking the Hudson River.

Window Detail

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.

Facade Facing the Hudson River

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.

Vanderbilt Mansion, Hyde Park NY

Front Facade, 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.

Oval Entrance Hall

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.

2nd Floor Balcony

A skylight and 2nd floor balcony are above the main entrance hall.

Mrs. Vanderbilt’s Bedroom

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.

Rear facade, Vanderbilt Mansion.

The Mansion is overlooking magnificent grounds and the Hudson River.

Hudson River View from rear portico.

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.

Wave Hill, The Bronx NY

The Pergola

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

Glyndor House is used as an art gallery.

Wave Hill House

When I visited, Wave Hill House was undergoing extensive renovations.   Both houses are on a hill, above the Hudson River and overlooking the Palisades.

Sweeping views of the Hudson River and 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!

The Greenhouse

A Garden View

Click here to see more of my photos of Wave Hill.

Boscobel, Garrison NY

I visited this house on October 19, 2011.  It was raining cats and dogs that day, but the atmospheric gloom could not detract from the beauty of this house!

Boscobel from the Garden

My first glimpse of the house was this one from the garden.  This 1806 house was rescued from the wrecking ball in the late 1950’s.  It was moved from its original location and sited here in Garrison NY in 1960.

Facade facing Hudson River

Front Door Detail

The view of West Point & the Hudson

Detail of Urn visible in foreground of previous photo

Rose Garden Fountain

It is hard to believe this house was not always on this site.  A beautiful restoration job!

Facade facing the driveway

Roof Line detail

For more photos, visit my Boscobel Flickr page.

Lyndhurst Castle – Tarrytown, NY

Lyndhurst Castle 6

Lyndhurst was designed by architect Alexander Jackson Davis in the gothic revival style in 1842.  In 1864, Lyndhurst’s owner hired Davis to more than double its size.

Lyndhurst 4

In 1880 Jay Gould purchased the estate and renamed it Lyndhurst.

Front Entrance

Gould added the large, gothic style greenhouse designed by the firm of Lord and Burnham; its cast-iron structure still stands.

Lord and Burnham Greenhouse

Today Lyndhurst is owned by Historic Hudson Valley and is open for tours.

To see more photos of Lyndhurst, visit my Flickr site.

Sunnyside, Tarrytown NY

Sunnyside Exterior 3

Sunnyside is Washington Irving’s gothic-romantic style cottage on the Hudson River.  Irving bought the property and house in 1835 and made some renovations to it – including adding this tower wing.

Tower Detail

Path to Sunnyside, Hudson River and RR Tracks 1

It is amazing how close the house is to the Hudson.  Some time after Irving purchased the property the New York Central Railroad came through his property.  Ruining the bucolic setting.

Porch Gingerbread

Although, you can still get a feeling for the romantic nature of the grounds.

Wisteria Vine

This wisteria covers the building.  Today the property is owned by Historic Hudson Valley, and it is open for tours.

For more photos of Sunnyside, check out my Flickr page.

Kykuit, Tarrytown, NY

I visited this National Trust for Historic Preservation site on May 28, 2009.  The house and gardens were amazing.  Kykuit is in the English Country House Style.  It was designed by Delano and Aldrich originally between 1906-1908.  The house under went a major renovation from 1908-1913 by William Welles Bosworth and Ogden Codman, Jr.   This renovation gave the house the appearance it is known for today.

Kykuit Front Facade

Oceanus Fountain, opposite front facade

Detail of Pediment on Front Facade

Front Entrance with Porte Cochere

Tiffany Porte Cochere

Entrance Lantern, one of a pair

Garden Gate and Pergola Roof

West Garden Terrace

Tiffany Fence

Pergola in Rose Garden

Along a Garden Walk

Detail Rose Garden Colonnade

Kykuit Fence

Looking Back at Kykuit

For more photos, you can visit my Flickr site.