This past weekend I was in the Hudson River valley and what did I do? I went to 2 house museums and this amazing church with windows by my favorite artist, Chagall! The first house museum I visited was one of the best examples of Gothic Revival here in the US - and that all architects study in architectural history - Lyndhurst. 
approach to the house from the carriage house.
rear of the house -overlooking the Hudson River Valley
detail of the roof - the skylight you see here opens up below into the 2nd floor art gallery -my favorite room of the houseFirst designed in 1838 by Alexander Davis, it was later seamlessly expanded on in 1864 by the same architect for a new owner. The house is now owned by the national trust for historic preservation and is a full time museum. I was surprised that it wasn't in top-notch shape, but it seems like they are currently working on the estate. The yard was designed by landscape architect Ferdinand Mangold in the English naturalistic style to go with the romantic style of the house. It looks so natural you would never guess that the house wasn't just built on the existing property (without a lot of yard work). The interiors are as fantastical as you would expect, but pictures weren't allowed unfortunately.
The bowling alley on the edge of the property with Hudson River views -currently being renovated. 
The last standing of the former servant's cottages -now privately owned
the poolhouse - now privately owned and being renovated.The bowling alley on the edge of the property with Hudson River views -currently being renovated. The last standing of the former servant's cottages -now privately owned
Detail of the poolhouse 
part of the enormous carriage house - now the visitors center and cafe.
an incredible gothic display case in the carriage house
An abandoned lawn ornament
Tomorrow -Kykuit -home to 4 generations of Rockefellers and an amazing art collection
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18 comments:
Oh, you are in my neighborhood! Wishing we could meet - I always love visiting your spot and seeing how you interpret everything!
Enjoy Kykuit! Hope you will visit Blue Hill -"Stone Barns" for Lunch!
Have a glorious day!
While you are in my neighborhood, please take time to visit the historic home of Washington Irving, "Sunnyside"-
PVE, I THOUGHT that was around where you lived! I should have emailed you for recommendations! Just went to Kykuit and Lyndhurst and the church near kykuit with those AMAZING windows by Chagall (but they woudln't let me take photos :-( ). I was only there for the weekend -but it was such a fabulous area I need to come back. Sunnyside was next on my list -it looked SO pretty on all the information!
I'd kill for that poolhouse!
PD, didn't get into the poolhouse (I was tempted though since the construction gate was 1/2 open and I was skinny enough to squeeze in!) but the pictures of the interior were AMAZING they had in the visitors center!
Be still my heart! What a gloriously beautiful place. I am a bit of a nut for gothic revival anyway. Lucky you to have such a day.
I would be completely content in the servant's cottage. A perfect little getaway. Sigh.
I will have to put this on my list of things to see some day! Have you ever done a stately home tour in England? It sounds like it would be right up your alley. One of my favorite trips of all time was the month I spent touring many of the National Trust/stately homes in England.
I could live hapily in either the bowling alley or the poolhouse.
PTE, those servant's cottages were adorable -however -they were built RIGHT on the train tracks -SO LOUD!!!
TTI, next year I hope to go on the attingham trust study week that JCB went on this past year and has been blogging about! I've never been to England but it's next on my list! All those country estates!
David, I was surprised to find out that shingle style structure was a bowling alley! It was really a cute house! It has a long covered porch along the side facing the river -such a great place for rocking chairs and a porch swing or two!
Oh I'm dying to go to Lyndhurst. Thanks for the lovely pictures. I must go soon. I recently went to Kykuit too and loved it. It;s in my neck of the wood too since I'm down the street from PVE! Please see my post here: http://kwanawrites.blogspot.com/2008/08/party-like-rock-star.html
I can't wait to see yours.
Kwana, we should have all gotten together for dinner! Would love to meet my blogger buddies! We'll save it for next visit, I loved Kykuit so much, I plan on an extensive posting about it tomorrow!
LURVE it!! LURVE it!! I suggest we buy it and all of us fabulous bloggers can live in it during the summer.
Hoorah!
xoxo,
L.
L, it's a fabulous house in a pretty location, but a bit creepy for me! I like the idea of a 'blogger house' though! fun times!
Yes, we will have to do a get together with PVE sometime. It will be fun. I look forward to your post.
Looks like you had a wonderful weekend. I also enjoyed your tour of Kykuit.
I'm glad you enjoyed it, Patricia! Thats an incredible area of the country, I can't wait to go visit again!
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