mansion tour new york

Gilded Age Mansions of Fifth Avenue Tour

Gilded Age Mansions of Fifth Avenue Walking Tour

Walking Tour Overview

This tour focuses on the design and history of the great mansions of Fifth Avenue and their owners who constructed them as lavish displays of their wealth and status in Gilded Age New York City. The tour starts at East 70th St & Fifth Avenue (at the Richard Morris Hunt Memorial), just down the block from the Frick Collection and ends at the Cooper-Hewitt (2 East 91 th Street), the former homes of two protagonists on this tour – Henry Clay Frick (1849-1919) and Andrew Carnegie (1835-1919).

Book the Gilded Age Mansions Tour!

A review on TripAdvisor for our Gilded Age Mansions Tour:

Gilded Age Magic “I did the Gilded Age walking tour with Emma. Loved it. Emma is a treasure with an unending amount of fascinating and fun information. She was an absolute delight and I learned so much about the architecture and social history of the Gilded Age. I cannot recommend her (and the Bowery Boys) enough.” 

The term “Gilded Age” is used to refer to the period of booming economic growth in the USA in the second half of the 19th century. In New York City this is the period when robber barons like Frick and Carnegie built some of the most extravagant urban palaces the city has ever seen.

Beaux-Arts was the dominant style of architecture in this period, as the greatest American architects from Richard Morris Hunt to Stanford White to C.P.H Gilbert all studied abroad in Paris. These three architects and many others created French châteaux, Italian palazzi, Gothic castles, and Neoclassical mansions in the heart of New York City, and helped give Fifth Avenue along Central Park the cachet it still holds today, as one of the most famous residential neighborhoods in the city.

Tour guides Emma Guest-Consales, Ph.D. , Billy Nemec , Aaron Schielke and Bill Shaffer take turns leading this walk for a stroll up the avenue to gaze at grand residences, to see their exteriors, and to hear stories of their designers and owners.

Don’t miss this experience that takes you back in time to the Gilded Age and up one of the most famous streets in the world.

Tour Highlights

• The Frick Collection  once the private residence of Henry Clay Frick, now one of the city’s greatest art museums.
• The James B. Duke House (today NYU Institute of Fine Arts)  modeled after a French château, this was the home of Doris Duke, the “richest girl in the world.”
• The Payne Whitney House (today Cultural Services, Embassy of France)  where a statue by the teenage Michelangelo was rediscovered in the 1990s.
• The home of Otto Kahn  one of the most famous  bon vivant  of the 1920s who may have been the inspiration for “Mr. Monopoly.”
• Harry F. Sinclair House (now The Ukrainian Institute), an elaborate mansion with most of the original design intact.
• The Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum Smithsonian Institution , the former home of Andrew Carnegie, who described the 64-room mansion as “modest and plain.”

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Gilded Age Tour – Thanks, Billy! “Did the Gilded Age Mansions of Fifth Avenue tour with Billy and had a wonderful experience! He was knowledgeable, entertaining, and fun. Even as a New Yorker the Bowery Boys Walking Tours are so interesting – would highly recommend!” 

Press: The tour was featured in The Boston Globe in 2022!

Person – Walking Tour: $40.00 (Best suited for adults and most children over 8 years old.) 

Private Gilded Age Tours

Let us organize a very special experience for your group or organization to see the Gilded Age mansions of Fifth Avenue. Please contact us to set up a private tour!

Walking Tour: 2 hours

Please note:  This tour does not go inside any of the mansions. We will send you the meeting place when you sign up

About one mile of walking

Your guides

Emma Guest-Consales , Ph.D. is an experienced guide, lecturer, and author who has taught art and architectural history in New York City for more than fifteen years. Emma also leads the Ladies’ Mile Cast-Iron Tour and Central Park History and Landscape tour .

Billy Nemec is an experienced tour guide and jazz musician with a deep knowledge of the Gilded Age. He has a certificate of Historic Preservation from New York University.

Aaron Schielke is a licensed New York City tour guide who loves exploring cities. He also leads the Jane Jacobs vs. Robert Moses Bowery Boys Walk .

Bill Shaffer is a licensed New York City tour guide and the author of The Scandalous Hamiltons: A Gilded Age Grifter, a Founding Father’s Disgraced Descendant and a Trial at the Dawn of Tabloid Journalism .

Study up for our walking tour by listening to The Gilded Gentleman episode  “The Gilded City: New York 1870 – 1900.”

Westgate Resorts

10 new york city mansions that are worth a visit.

May 25, 2021

By Erik Sandberg

Hidden among the skyscrapers and iconic hotels near Grand Central station , are the homes of the city’s elite, both from the past and the present. Mansions that are filled to the brim with opulence that will make your jaw drop. From never ending winding staircases, an abundant use of mahogany, rich woods, and marble, to secret rooms and massive wine cellars, New York City mansions take homes to the next level and beyond

NYC Mansion Time Travel

New York City is filled with so much history and with the ability to visit these mansions you embark on a certain type of time travel, constantly moving back and forth between the past and the present. To think that at any moment within the city’s confines you are standing where history was and continues to be made, it can cause one to pause and wonder… what if?

RELATED ARTICLE:

At Westgate Resorts , when you Check-In, there’s a LOT to Check-Out! Your New York City vacation awaits! Explore our New York City hotel today or talk with a vacation planner at 888-852-2959 or 407-355-2690 .

* Westgate Resorts is in no way affiliated with the attractions featured in this article. Items or places listed are current as of the publishing date of this article. Please call or visit the respective website for the most up-to-date offerings and details.

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Visit the Gilded Age Mansions of New York: 5 Sites Not to Miss on Your Trip

Join Context's Gilded Age: Upper East Side Tour to learn more about this fascinating era of New York City's History.

New York City’s Gilded Mansions are a reminder of a time of unchecked wealth, architectural grandeur, and cultural upheaval. So if you’re planning a trip to New York and want to learn more about the constellation of world-famous mansions in the city, here’s your guide to experiencing the Gilded Age Mansions.

History of Gilded Age New York Mansions

Characterized by rapid industrialization, opulent luxuries, and accelerated wealth accumulation, the Gilded Age in America lasted from the 1870s to the 1890s. The term "gilded" implies a superficial layer of gold covering a less valuable material, perfectly illustrating that despite the era’s surface-level prosperity and progress, there were significant underlying disparities and inequalities.

Throughout the Gilded Age, several families amassed vast wealth and influence through their businesses, investments, and political connections. Many of these names are recognizable today – the Rockefellers, Vanderbilts, Carnegies, Astors, and Morgans, amongst others.

The emphasis on wealth and status carried over into the architecture of the Gilded Age, as trends reflected a desire for grandeur, opulence, and ornamentation, as well as a fascination with historical styles and cultural heritage. The Gilded Age mansions of New York represent a monument to an era of contradictions – prosperity and poverty, innovation and inequity, and expansion and exclusion.

Join us on our Upper East Side Walking Tour , which visits several historic mansions in New York City’s most glamorous neighborhood.

What Happened to the Gilded Age Mansions in New York City?

As cultural and social tides shifted away from the extravagance of the time, many  mansions were demolished or repurposed. In the early 20th century, wealthy families left the city for the quiet privacy of the suburbs. Some estates were left vacant and fell into disrepair, while others were repurposed for institutional use, such as schools or museums. When the Great Depression struck, mansions were torn down or sold due to financial strain. Urban development also fueled the demise of the Gilded Age mansions in the mid-20th century.

However, there are Gilded Mansions still standing today – and they offer a vibrant look into the lifestyles of the wealthy in New York during the Gilded Age.

5 Gilded Age Mansions Not to Miss

No trip to the Big Apple is complete without a visit to one (or more) of the Gilded Mansions of New York. Take a peek behind the doors of these stately homes that offer a unique look at life in another era.

The Vanderbilt Mansion

The Vanderbilt Mansion , or the Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site, is a historic house museum located in Hyde Park, New York. The mansion was built between 1896 and 1898 for Frederick Vanderbilt, a grandson of railroad magnate Cornelius Vanderbilt.

Revel in this stunning example of Beaux-Arts architecture, a popular style during the Gilded Age. The mansion features a striking symmetrical facade with a central entrance portico supported by imposing columns.

The mansion’s exterior is rivaled only by its interior, filled with grand spaces decked out in marble, gold, and silk, all designed for entertaining and socializing. There are over 130 rooms stretched throughout this expansive home. Lush gardens ensconce the estate with terraced lawns, formal gardens, and a carriage house.

Today, the Vanderbilt Mansion is open to the public as a museum, offering visitors a glimpse into the luxurious lifestyle of the Vanderbilt family during the Gilded Age.

The Frick Collection

Built in 1914 by industrialist Henry Clay Frick, this Fifth Avenue mansion houses a stunning art collection that includes works by Vermeer, Rembrandt, and El Greco. The building itself is an architectural landmark, with a grand staircase and ornate ceilings.

Helen Clay Frick, Henry’s daughter, established The Frick Collection in 1935 following her father's death in 1919. The paintings are displayed in elegant galleries that embody the feel of the mansion's original layout and decoration.

The museum is also home to sculptures, decorative arts, furniture, a collection of French porcelains, Italian bronzes, and a pair of monumental Sèvres vases.

The Morgan Library and Museum

The Morgan Library and Museum is a cultural institution housed in a former residence of the financier J.P. Morgan. The museum’s collection includes books, manuscripts, drawings, prints, and art from the ancient world to today.

Originally a private library and museum, The Morgan Library and Museum was founded in 1906 and carefully crafted in Italian Renaissance-style architecture. It is considered one of the most important cultural institutions in the United States and a must-visit destination for anyone interested in literature, art, and history.

The museum's collection includes some of the world's greatest treasures of literature and art. Highlights of the collection include the original manuscripts of authors such as Charles Dickens, Edgar Allan Poe, and Mark Twain, as well as drawings and prints by artists such as Rembrandt, Michelangelo, and Picasso.

The museum also hosts temporary exhibitions during the year featuring art and artifacts from around the world.

Roosevelt House

The Roosevelt House , built in 1908 on New York City’s Upper East Side, was a gift for Franklin D. Roosevelt and his wife Eleanor from Franklin’s mother, Sara. This neo-Georgian style red brick townhouse was the site of many meetings, events, and conversations that eventually launched Roosevelt’s political career and ultimate rise to the presidency.

When Sara Roosevelt passed away in 1941, the family put the house up for sale. A nonprofit consortium purchased the home on behalf of Hunter College. President Roosevelt even lowered the price to ensure the home was affordable and funded the purchase of new books for its library.

Today, Roosevelt House is an integral part of Hunter College as a public policy institute honoring the distinguished legacy of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt. Its mission is to educate students in public policy and human rights, to support faculty research, and to foster creative dialogue.

The Payne Whitney Mansion

This Fifth Avenue mansion was built in the high Italian Renaissance style for Payne Whitney, a prominent philanthropist, and businessman. The entrance to the sophisticated mansion includes a pristine marble rotunda with columns. Gilded Age touches like hand carvings, marble details, bronze railings, and ornate furniture decorate this beautiful building.

Though it was once only used for residential purposes, it was sold to a private investor in 1949 before ownership was transferred to France in 1952. It is now home to the Cultural Services of the French Embassy.

How to Visit the Gilded Age Mansions

See the Gilded Age mansions of New York like an insider with a guided Context Tour. Our Upper East Side Tour: New York’s Gilded Age is the perfect way to tour these palatial homes with an expert guide.

If you want to check out other city sites, here are some tips to help you optimize your visits to these landmarks.

The Frick Collection is currently undergoing renovations, but you can visit its temporary home at the Frick Madison. You can purchase tickets in advance, which is recommended. The museum also offers pay-what-you-wish admission on Thursdays from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.

One important note is that children under ten aren’t permitted at the Frick Madison. If you’re traveling with little ones, consider our Met Museum Tour for Kids or our American Museum of Natural History Tour for Kids .

The Morgan Library & Museum

Reserve your tickets for The Morgan Library & Museum in advance to take in the incredible works of art and treasures housed here.

The Morgan Library & Museum continues to expand its impressive collection of rare materials, music manuscripts, Americana, and twentieth-century materials. Peruse the fantastic works of art and historical artifacts located through the expansive space, with a soaring central court that connects the buildings with the feel of a beautiful Italian piazza.

The Merchant's House Museum

Built in 1832 and purchased by Seabury Tredwell, a successful hardware merchant, the Merchant’s House Museum is a landmark late-Federal and Greek revival-style row house.

The Tredwell family lived in the home for nearly a century, and now visitors can enjoy the family’s original furniture, decorative objects, household goods, books, and even clothing. Stroll through the secret 19th-century rear garden and picture what life was like for a wealthy New York family in the mid-19th century. The Merchant’s House offers self-guided house tours, guided house tours, and neighborhood walking tours.

The Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum

Fun fact: Cooper Hewitt is the only museum in the United States devoted exclusively to historical and contemporary design. With more than 215,000 design objects spanning 30 centuries, it features one of the most diverse and comprehensive design collections in existence.

With creativity and innovation at the heart of its mission, Cooper Hewitt is a fantastic place to gather inspiration and celebrate imagination. You can purchase tickets online or at the door (hint: buying in advance will save you some money!), and those 18 and under can visit for free.

More Key Guilded Age Monuments to Visit

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Many families who rose to prominence during the Gilded Age – the Morgans, Carnegies, and Fricks, to name a few – were avid art collectors and patrons. These affluent individuals were instrumental in developing the Metropolitan Museum , both through financial support and art donations.

The Metropolitan Museum was founded in 1870, towards the end of the Gilded Age period. Though it was initially housed on 5th Avenue amongst the wealthiest families of the time, it moved to its current location in Central Park to accommodate its expansion. Today, it occupies a complex of buildings that includes the original Beaux-Arts style building and several newer additions.

Eager to learn more about the Met Museum? Join our private walking tours of the Met to experience these remarkable galleries in the company of a local art historian. Or enjoy a night at the museum with Context’s Met Museum Tour After Dark .

The New York Public Library

The New York Public Library is another landmark steeped in Gilded Age history. It was created through the merger of several smaller libraries, including the Astor Library, founded in the mid-19th century by the prosperous Astor family. The NYPL was established as a public library system that would provide free access to knowledge and education for all citizens of New York City, regardless of their social status or financial means.

The library’s main building was largely funded by central figures of the Gilded Age, including Andrew Carnegie and John Jacob Astor IV. The library’s grand Beaux-Arts style includes remarkable columns and arches, forever cementing its place as a milestone of culture, arts, and education.

The Plaza Hotel

The Plaza Hotel is a recognizable site from popular entertainment – including cameos in “Sleepless in Seattle,” “Annie Hall,” “The Great Gatsby,” “American Hustle,” “Friends,” “The Sopranos,” and many more. But the Plaza Hotel also has historical significance, too.

Built in 1907 towards the end of the Gilded Age, it was designed by the renowned architectural firm of Henry J. Hardenbergh, which also designed other iconic Gilded Age buildings such as the Dakota Apartments and the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. The Plaza Hotel embodies the French Renaissance style, with a grand entrance, a large central courtyard, and ornate decorations and sculptures.

With a prime location on Fifth Avenue, The Plaza Hotel was (and is still) a highly-coveted destination for wealthy individuals and the city’s elite. The hotel's famous restaurants, bars, and ballrooms were often the site of lavish parties and events during the Gilded Age.

New York Architecture Tours

If seeing the Gilded Age mansions of New York doesn’t satisfy your architectural curiosity, there’s so much more to see! Take an Architectural Tour of New York to take a stroll down some of the world’s most famous streets.

Beginning at the East River in the hidden residential enclave Tudor City, you’ll consider how the development’s neo-gothic spires and brick facades created a mythology for up-and-coming New Yorkers in the 1920s. Heading east on 42nd Street, you’ll make stops at several significant landmarks, including the Ford Foundation Building and a trio of skyscrapers that epitomize Art Deco style: the Chanin Building, the Chrysler Building, and the Daily News Building.

You’ll continue along to Grand Central Station, a magnificent Beaux-Arts structure and temple to transportation, where you can gaze up at the star-flecked sky of the Main Concourse and discuss the Terminal’s origins during the heyday of long-distance passenger rail service. Just two blocks away, you’ll visit New York Public Library, a building that offers sumptuous exterior decoration and interiors for a very different purpose. Conclude your walk in Bryant Park, one of the signature examples of New York City’s revival in the 1990s, or perhaps head down to the New York Times Building.

What was the biggest mansion during The Gilded Age?

The famous Biltmore Estate covers a sprawling 8,000 acres and includes a 250-room chateau-style mansion, gardens, a conservatory, and a farm. The palatial mansion has a staggering 178,926 square feet.  It remains one of the largest and most extravagant private residences ever built in the United States, and it is a popular tourist destination and a significant cultural landmark.

Today, guests can book a stay and experience the luxury of the Biltmore firsthand at its four-star inn, or a more laid-back stay at their hotel.

Is the mansion in The Gilded Age real?

Fans of HBO’s popular series “The Gilded Age” might wonder if the mansion in the show is real. The fictional show offers a compelling imagining of life during the Gilded Age, with extravagant mansions and properties as the backdrop.

While the home featured prominently in the series doesn’t exist, it was inspired by many of the Gilded Mansions of New York. Members of the HBO production crew visited the Vanderbilt Mansion, The Frick Collection, the Cooper Hewitt mansion (formerly owned by Andrew Carnegie), the Burden-Kahn mansion, and used elements of those residences to build and design the show’s homes.

Plan a Gilded Age Mansion Tour

Context’s Upper East Side Tour: New York’s Gilded Age offers an educational and engaging look at the most lavish historic buildings in the city. Start your tour at the iconic facade of the Plaza Hotel, which has hosted an array of famous patrons since its inception in 1889. Imagine yourself staying in a room next to Kings, presidents, and stars of the stage who have all gathered for events at this prestigious property. Your expert guide will offer insights into the many upgrades and improvements this landmark institution has cycled through while remaining true to the vision of the original architectural designers–even as it was torn down to rebuild. You’ll then venture through Grand Army Place, a spectacle of Beaux-Arts architecture dating back to 1916.

As you make your way up Fifth Avenue, you’ll retrace the steps of famous families such as the Vanderbilts, Buchanans, and Roosevelts as you view their gorgeous mansions from the street level.

Next, explore the Frick Mansion, one of the premier art museums in the city. The tour concludes near the Ukrainian Institute of America–built from 1897 to 1899. Once the hold of businessmen Isaac D. Fletcher and Harry F. Sinclair, it has been an iconic example of the eclectic French Renaissance style by C. P. H. Gilbert and is a key component of the Upper East Side’s collection of beautiful historical mansions.

If you’re an architecture buff, you won’t want to miss the opportunity to hear from an expert guide as you delve into the unparalleled history of the Gilded Age mansions.

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Gracie Mansion Conservancy

Gracie mansion conservancy is a private not-for-profit corporation established in 1981 to preserve, maintain and enhance gracie mansion - one of the oldest surviving wood structures in manhattan..

PRESS AND HONORS

Welcome to the people's home.

"My house is your house. This is your Gracie Mansion. I am your Mayor.

You are my citizens. You are my neighbors, you are my friends."

-Mayor Eric Adams

110th Mayor of New Y ork C ity

EXPERIENCE THE GRACIE MANSION CONSERVANCY 

Gracie Mansion is truly the People’s House for all New Yorkers. Under Mayor Adams' visionary leadership, Gracie Mansion has now fully reopened for all communities to enjoy access that’s more representative of the NYC population. 

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Conservancy Fireside Chat Features NYC CTO Matthew Fraser

Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright Interviews Executive Director of Gracie Mansion Conservancy

Gracie Mansion Named The Most Significant Home in New York City by Ile Mason Magazine

MSNBC Visits Gracie Mansion and Talks with NYC Mayor Eric Adams

The Women of Gracie Mansion featured on NBC during New York Fashion Week

The Style That Binds Us Magazine Q&A with Conservancy Executive Director

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Where the Hudson Valley begins

We are open for the season..

¡Hay visitas en español disponibles! Comuníquese con nosotros a [email protected]  para preguntar sobre las opciones.

To best accommodate non-family groups, including special needs groups, please call in advance to make a reservation at 914-303-6844.

Members can visit the grounds for free, please have your membership card ready!

Our office hours are 9 am to 4 pm Monday through Friday. Please email us at [email protected] for any questions or concerns. For ticketing questions and issues, please call our Box Office Thursday through Monday, 9:30 am to 4:30 pm at 914-303-6838.

Lyndhurst is a smoke/vape-free property.

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Events & Tours

Various Dates, April - September, 2024

Classic Mansion Tour 2024

This one-hour tour covers two floors and treats visitors to a rare glimpse of the lavish decorative arts and architecture.

Sat & Sun, April 20th & April 21st, 2024

Lyndhurst in Bloom 2024

Experience Lyndhurst in Bloom, a weekend of sumptuous flower installations and all things spring!

Various Dates, May - Oct., 2024

Inside-Outside Tour: Mansion to Bowling Alley 2024

Want to see Lyndhurst inside and out? Then this tour is for you!

Saturday, May 11th, 2024

Mother's Day Plant Sale & Demo

Buy a plant, bouquet, or treat yourself to a floral demo!

Every day, April 1st - September 25, 2024

Daily Grounds Pass 2024

Purchase your Daily Grounds Pass to just visit Lyndhurst's grounds.

Fri, Sat, & Sun, May 3rd - May 5th, 2024

Spring Craft Show

Crafts at Lyndhurst showcases over 200 modern American makers, artists, designers and craftspeople.

Saturday & Sunday, June 8th & 9th, 2024 

Rose Weekend 2024

Visit the blooming Rose Garden and experience garden centric events on the lavish grounds!

Thursday, June 6th, 2024

Lyndhurst Spring Party 2024

Celebrating A New Exhibition: Influencers: 1920s Fashion and The New Woman.

Saturday & Sunday, June 8th & 9th, 2024

Rose Afternoon Tea & Tour 2024

Step into the charmingly appointed parlor and experience an afternoon Rose Cream Tea!

Various Dates, July - October 2024

Upstairs-Downstairs Tour: From Top To Bottom

This is a great option for anyone who wants to hear the full story of Lyndhurst in one tour!

Everyday, April 1st - December 31st

Member Registration-Grounds Pass 2024

Lyndhurst Members and NTHP Members can reserve their Daily Grounds Pass for free.

Explore the Grounds

Discover Lyndhurst's campus, gardens, and buildings through our interactive map.

Kykuit, The Rockefeller Estate

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A majestic paradise with sweeping river views

See the hudson valley’s top cultural attraction kykuit was home to four generations of the rockefeller family, beginning with the philanthropist john d. rockefeller, founder of standard oil. his business acumen made him, in his day, the richest man in america. now a historic site of the national trust for historic preservation, this extraordinary landmark has been continuously and meticulously maintained for more than 100 years..

Kykuit, a historic site of the National Trust, is operated & maintained by the Rockefeller Brothers Fund as a center for its philanthropic programs. Historic Hudson Valley operates the visitation program.

May 3 – November 10

Friday-Sunday: May 3 – Sep 30: Nov 8 – Nov 10 Wednesday-Monday: Oct 2 – Nov 3 Plus Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day/Indigenous People’s Day

All Kykuit tours originate from the Visitor Center at Philipsburg Manor and include a shuttle bus ride to the estate. Do not type “Kykuit” into your GPS, as it will not bring you to the right location.

Selected Highlights Tour — 90 minutes

Adult: $25 Senior: $23 Young Adult (18-25): $20 Youth (10-17): $20 Westchester Resident: $20 National Trust: $12.50 Wheelchair Accessible: $23

Classic Tour — 2 hours

Adult: $55 Senior: $53 Young Adult (18-25): $44 Youth (10-17): $20 National Trust: $27.50 Wheelchair Accessible: $53

Grand Tour — 3 hours

Adult/Senior: $75 Young Adult (18-25): $60 Youth (10-17): $20 National Trust: $37.50

All children must be at least ten years old to participate in tours and must be accompanied by an adult.

Historic Hudson Valley Members receive a 15% discount on ticket prices. To receive National Trust or Westchester County resident pricing, you must purchase a full price ticket and show ID at check in to receive the discount at that time.

HISTORIC HUDSON VALLEY MEMBERS

Historic Hudson Valley members automatically receive 15% off the current ticket price. You must be logged in with your member account when you purchase tickets to get the discount.

Discount is valid for named members once per membership. 

NATIONAL TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION MEMBERS

National Trust members who purchase tour tickets online receive a 50% refund of the adult ticket price by presenting proof of membership at the Kykuit Visitor Center.

WESTCHESTER COUNTY RESIDENTS

A Westchester County resident who purchases a Selected Highlights ticket online can receive the Resident price by presenting proof of residency at the Kykuit Visitor Center. Only one Resident ticket per person. Proof of residency is required for each individual who wishes to purchase or receive a Resident ticket.

GPS address for Visitor Center: 381 N Broadway, Sleepy Hollow, NY

GPS address for overflow lot: 100 Continental St., Sleepy Hollow, NY

Kykuit Tours

Selected Highlights Tour

This walking tour includes the main floor of the house, Inner Garden, and West Terrace. The perfect choice for those with busy schedules.

The tour is 1 1/2 hours, including the shuttle bus ride. This tour is wheelchair accessible with advanced reservations, see details .  --> Tickets: $25

Classic Tour

Great for first-time visitors. Your walking tour will include the main floor of the house, art galleries, Inner Garden, and West Terrace.

The tour is approximately 2 hours, including the shuttle bus ride. This tour is wheelchair accessible with advanced reservations, see details .  -->

Tickets: $55

This walking tour includes everything in the Classic Tour, plus extra time in the gardens and art galleries, as well as a visit to the second floor of the home.

The tour is 3 hours, including the shuttle bus ride. This tour is not wheelchair accessible due to the nature of the terrain.  -->

Tickets: $75

Is photography allowed?

Photography and video recording for personal use, with the exception of drones, are permitted on the grounds. Photo shoots of any kind are not permitted. No photography of any kind is permitted inside the house. Audio recording of the tours is also not permitted.

Are children permitted on Kykuit tours?

Are the tours wheelchair accessible.

The Classic Tour and the Selected Highlights Tour are wheelchair accessible. Please purchase your tickets 48 hours in advance and select the “Wheelchair Accessible” ticket so that we can arrange accommodations for your visit. A customer service representative will contact you at the email address you provide at checkout with detailed information. Visitors must provide their own wheelchairs.

The Grand Tour is not wheelchair accessible due to the nature of the terrain.

• The Classic Tour is wheelchair accessible.
• Visitors are assisted to special entrances and exits and an elevator is used in the house.
• Some portions of the tour may not be viewable, but the accompanying guide will briefly discuss the bypassed areas.
• The entire tour consists of walking and standing with only a few places to sit down, if absolutely necessary.
• This tour is partially wheelchair accessible.
• A small portion of the tour is inaccessible, but the accompanying guide will briefly discuss the bypassed areas.

Additional Visitor Center and Site Access Information

• Wheelchair accessible parking and accessible restrooms are available at the Kykuit/Philipsburg Manor Visitor Center.
• There are several short steps to the front door of the Kykuit mansion. Within the house, there is a stairway (with banisters) from the first floor to the Galleries below.
• In the immediate garden area, there are steps down from the west walk to the Rose Garden and steps up from the Rose Garden to the shuttle bus area.
• There are emergency public restrooms at Kykuit.

Are there nearby dining and hotel options?

Snacks are available to purchase before or after your tour and picnic tables are available at the Kykuit Visitor Center at Philipsburg Manor. There are also many fine dining options in the area .

Please note that food and drinks, with the exception of bottled water, are not permitted in the house and must be stored in the free lockers provided at the Kykuit Visitor Center at Philipsburg Manor.

There are also a wide range of hotels to choose from in the area . DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Tarrytown , Castle Hotel & Spa , and Tarrytown Estate on the Hudson .-->

Where can I park?

Free, safe, and secure parking is offered at the Visitor Center and its overflow parking lot. All tours leave from the visitor center and travel by shuttle bus to the estate. Please note that there is no access to Kykuit except through tours leaving from the Visitor Center at Philipsburg Manor. You cannot drive directly to Kykuit. Please arrive at least 30 minutes before your tour to check in at the Ticket Desk in the Visitor Center.

What is the best way to see the grounds?

The Grand Tour explores the estate’s outstanding landscape and sculpture.

Please note that visitors must remain with their tour groups at all times.

What can I do do with my bag, backpack, or stroller while on the tour?

Large bags, backpacks, and strollers must be stored in the free lockers provided at the Kykuit Visitor Center at Philipsburg Manor

Are service dogs permitted at Kykuit?

Yes, service dogs are welcome. Pets are not permitted.

What is your weather policy?

Kykuit tours are held rain or shine. Please see our weather policy.

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11 glorious estates of the Hudson Valley, mapped

These perfectly preserved historic homes once housed financiers, oil tycoons, and U.S. presidents

In the 18th and 19th centuries, the lush landscape along the Hudson River attracted New York’s wealthiest families—the Vanderbilts and Rockefellers among them—who built palatial Gilded Age estates. Now, many of these homes are national historic sites, maintained by the federal or state government, and open for all to explore.

There’s no one defining architectural style to these homes; some were designed as opulent Beaux Arts confections, while others were inspired by more humble Federal-style architecture. If there’s one common link, it’s that visiting these homes allows you to see how New York’s most prominent families lived, and what drew them to this region all those years ago.

Here now is a list of 11 of the best historic homes in upstate New York—but take note, most can only be accessed through guided tours, so be sure to sign up beforehand.

Boscobel House and Gardens

The original Boscobel, built for wealthy Loyalist States Morris Dyckman and his family, was located in the tiny hamlet of Montrose, New York. But that’s not where the present-day home now sits; after decades of neglect, the home was fated to meet the wrecking ball. After a last-ditch effort to save the structure, a local group managed to salvage pieces of the old home and rebuild the structure 15 miles north of its original location.

Today this 68-acre campus is home to lush gardens, a woodland trail, and the house itself, which has an exemplary collection of decorative arts from the Federal period. A guided tour of the house, followed by a picnic in the gardens overlooking the Hudson River, is a great way to spend a day.

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Kykuit, the Rockefeller Estate

Four generations of oil tycoon John D. Rockefeller’s family lived at Kykuit, perched atop the highest point in the town of Sleepy Hollow. (Rockefeller family scions still live in the surrounding Pocantico Hills estate, which measures over 3,400 acres.) On tours of Kykuit, you can see the main floor of the house, its galleries, and sculpture gardens, which hold works by Alexander Calder and Isamu Noguchi, among others. Tours are offered regularly, and there’s a Metro-North discount available, too.

Lyndhurst Mansion

One of the U.S.’s most stunning examples of Gothic Revival mansions, Lyndhurst is located on a bluff overlooking the Hudson River. Since its construction in 1838, the estate has been home to three prominent NYC families: former NYC mayor William Paulding, merchant George Merritt (who gave the estate its name, after the many Linden trees on the property), and railroad tycoon Jay Gould. Each owner expanded and reshaped the property to their own tastes, and today, it’s home to a massive collection of art, antiques, and furniture, many of which were designed by architect Alexander Jackson Davis.

Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site

Built at the turn of the 20th century, the Vanderbilt Mansion in Hyde Park was designed by McKim, Mead & White, and commissioned by Frederick William Vanderbilt, a scion of the famed—and extremely wealthy—New York family. Many of the Vanderbilt family’s homes are national historic sites, and while the 54-room manse in Hyde Park isn’t quite as elaborate as, say, the Biltmore Estate (built by Frederick’s brother, George, in North Carolina), it’s still a Gilded Age gem. Inside, be sure to check out the gold room with the intricately painted ceilings, and the family’s massive dinnerware collection. The grounds have lovely views of the Hudson River, and the White Bridge, which overlooks a small waterfall, is especially lovely.

Wilderstein Historic Site

Many notable craftsman contributed to the design of this stunning Queen Anne-style home, including Joseph Burr Tiffany, who worked on the interiors, and Calvert Vaux, who designed the grounds. Its original owner, Thomas Holy Suckley, built the home in the 19th-century, and it was occupied by his heirs until 1991. Fun fact: the last resident of the house was a confidant of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and the letters they exchanged are preserved at the house today, and can be seen as part of guided tours to the mansion.

Staatsburgh State Historic Site

In the 1890s, financier Ogden Mills and his wife, Ruth, commissioned McKim, Mead & White to expand her ancestral home in Staatsburgh, which the couple used as a summer residence. In just one year, the renowned firm had transformed the 25-room Greek Revival home into a palatial 65-room Beaux Arts estate reminiscent of 17th- and 18th-century French mansions. The couple’s daughter donated the house and the surrounding 192 acres of property to the State of New York in 1938, and today the house and its many splendid American Renaissance features including the opulent dining room are open to the public for tours.

Washington Irving's Sunnyside

American author Washington Irving purchased what was then a two-room Dutch stone house in Tarrytown in 1835. In subsequent years, the Sleepy Hollow author expanded the house in a major way , adding Gothic and Spanish-inspired windows, and Tudor-style clustered chimneys. He also beautified the landscape, adding a pond, hills, a meandering stream, and a waterfall. Aside from seeing many of the original furnishings in the home, visitors today can hear about Irving’s inspiration and relive some of his stories during experiential tours at the house—and yes, there’s one that incorporates the story of the headless horseman.

A post shared by Washington Irving Sunnyside (@washingtonirvingsunnyside) on Nov 8, 2016 at 8:22am PST

Clermont State Historic Site

If you pay a visit to Clermont, be sure to take in the view from its front door; the estate, built a stone’s throw from the Hudson River, has some of the most spectacular vistas of the river you’ll find in the Hudson Valley. Its 500 acres are open for tours year-round, and if you visit during holidays like Christmas, you’ll see the house done up in period holiday decor. The property, which was once home to members of the Livingston family (who were active Patriots in the Revolutionary War) also features four lush, landscaped gardens, each of which has its own distinct personality: The South Spring Garden has views of the Hudson, while the Walled Garden was influenced by gardens in Florence.

Martin Van Buren National Historic Site

Martin Van Buren, America’s eighth president, lived in this charming home, also known as Lindenwald, until his death in 1862. His son then hired Trinity church architect Richard Upjohn to convert the home into a stylish Italian villa, but that didn’t stop it from falling into disrepair . It was restored by the National Parks Service in the 1970s, and today the estate is open for free tours from April through November. There are about 100 pieces of furniture still preserved from Van Buren’s time, and there’s a 51-panel wallpaper imported from France that depicts a hunting scene. (And don’t miss a portion Van Buren’s farm, which is still thriving today.)

Locust Grove Estate

This Poughkeepsie mansion, designed by Federal Hall architect Alexander Jackson Davis, was first home to Morse code co-developer Samuel Morse. By the turn of the century, the Italianate-style home was purchased by William and Martha Young, a wealthy couple who modernized and expanded the mansion. The 180-acre estate has been well-preserved, and today, it’s home to a sizable collection of Hudson River School paintings; visitors can also experience the property’s rolling hills, vegetable garden, and lovely views of the Hudson River.

Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site

The 32nd President of the United States was born in this clapboard house, otherwise known as Springwood, in 1882; but after a major expansion, the humble structure was transformed into a grand Colonial Revival style mansion and the exterior replaced with stucco. During his presidency, FDR visited the home so often that it was called “the Summer White House,” and after his death in 1945, he was buried in the adjacent rose garden. You can see the historic residence on guided tours, which showcase photos of the most famous guests at the mansion and paintings from the president’s personal collection. The country’s first national presidential library, which was commissioned by FDR, is also located here.

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TravelAwaits

Our mission is to serve the 50+ traveler who's ready to cross a few items off their bucket list.

11 Beautiful Historic Hudson Valley Mansions You Must Visit

• Activities and Interests
• Architecture
• Destinations
• History and Culture
• Hudson Valley
• United States

From ancestral homes dating back to pre-Revolutionary War times to opulent mansions that celebrated the prosperity of business magnates during the Industrial Revolution, Upstate New York’s Hudson Valley is full of impressive historic homes.

Filled with impressive art, framing the beautiful valley scenery, preserving America’s rich history, and showcasing elegant architecture, the valley’s historic mansions are sure to excite everyone in your travel party. Be sure to add these ten beautiful mansions in Upstate New York to your Hudson Valley itinerary !

Note: Some of my experiences were hosted. All opinions are my own.

11 Beautiful Historic Hudson Valley Mansions You Need To Visit

1. lyndhurst.

Just 25 miles north of the Big Apple , the Lyndhurst Mansion sits on 67 acres overlooking the Hudson River. This Tarrytown mansion is an imposing limestone building of sharp angles, narrow hallways, and limited natural light, making it one of the most notable examples of Gothic architecture in the United States. But the average American may recognize it as the spooky setting for movies like House of Dark Shadows and series like 7 Deadly Sins and The Blacklist .

Explore the history, art, and architecture of the former country home of “robber baron” Jay Gould on an hour-long classic tour of Lyndhurst. For some of the best views in Tarrytown, take the Backstairs Tour, which allows guests to climb to the fifth-floor observation tower, where you can look out over the River and see all the way to Manhattan on a clear day.

Pro Tip: Enjoy a beautiful mansion firsthand at the Tarrytown House Estate . Perched on a hill above Lyndhurst, the white porticoed King Mansion is now home to Goosefeather, an upscale Cantonese restaurant, and offers elegant accommodations. You can dig into crispy shrimp bao and sip a signature cocktail in the mansion’s dining room before retiring to one of the beautiful rooms with a view for a unique experience not available at other Upstate New York mansions.

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Felix Lipov / Shutterstock

Built on the highest point in Pocantico Hills, Kykuit is an impressive four-story ivy-covered brick mansion surrounded by 87 acres of beautifully terraced grounds overlooking the Hudson River. Four generations of Rockefellers enjoyed this Tarrytown mansion as a summer getaway and winter weekend retreat. This uniquely named mansion is derived from the Dutch word for “lookout,” and it’s easy to understand the inspiration when you gaze out at the wide Hudson River lined with evergreen firs and colorful maples and elms.

While some Hudson Valle y historic sites allow visitors to explore the grounds independently, Kykuit can only be seen via a guided tour. Tour options range in length. Allow at least 2 hours to explore Kykuit, and if you’re interested in viewing the manicured grounds, be sure to select a tour that provides that option.

3. Locust Grove

Poughkeepsie.

Overlooking the Hudson River from a bluff in Poughkeepsie, Locust Grove is an Italianate mansion set on 200 acres; it was once the summer home of Samuel Morse. While you may know him as the man who revolutionized the way the world communicated with the invention of the telegraph and Morse Code, you may not know that Morse was originally a painter.

As his Upstate New York estate was being designed, Morse reminisced about the years he spent enjoying the Italian countryside, sketching his vision for the floor plan and exterior features on scraps of paper given to architect Alexander Jackson Davis.

See the mansion from the gardens and grounds or tour the inside of Locust Grove via a guided tour. Note that this Upstate New York mansion is not ADA-accessible. Visitors should be prepared to walk up several steps to the front door and a flight of stairs to the second floor when visiting.

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4. Springwood

America’s 32nd president was born in and spent most of his life in the sprawling three-story Italian-style mansion known as Springwood , dubbed “the Summer White House” for the 12 years Franklin D. Roosevelt was in office. The president is now buried in the adjacent rose garden, and his presidential library (the nation’s first) is also on-site.

A ranger-led tour of FDR’s home lasts about an hour and includes a look at original furnishings, artwork, books, photographs, and other Roosevelt family belongings.

Pro Tip: While not as grand and imposing as Springwood, you might also enjoy Val-Kill Cottage , the nearby retreat that Eleanor Roosevelt called home, and Top Cottage in Poughkeepsie, the wooded retreat where the Roosevelts welcomed heads of state and other distinguished guests.

5. Vanderbilt Mansion

Just a few miles up the river from Springwood, the Vanderbilts built a jaw-dropping 54-room, 44,000-square-foot beaux arts country house known as Hyde Park . The interior includes all of the finest finishing touches, from rich wood paneling to European marble.

The Hyde Park estate included greenhouses and a working farm that ensured the Vanderbilts had in-season produce, dairy and meat products, and fresh flowers when they spent time here. On the surrounding 200 scenic acres overlooking the Hudson River, the family enjoyed golf, lawn tennis, and carriage rides.

Since 1940, the National Park Service has managed the property, offering daily public tours.

Pro Tip: Be sure to read Anderson Cooper’s book Vanderbilt: The Rise and Fall of an American Dynasty to learn about the fascinating (and often scandalous) events that took place inside this beautiful Upstate New York mansion.

6. Mills Mansion

With its two-story front portico supported by eight massive Ionic columns, the Mills Mansion looks like a Greek temple, courthouse, or bank. It was originally a 25-room Greek revival mansion built in the 1830s. Ogden Mills and his wife, Ruth, expanded it into a French chateau-inspired, 65-room beaux arts mansion as the 20th century approached.

When you tour the impressive Gilded Age Mills Mansion, note that it includes all of its original furniture, including the long table and carved chairs in the dining room and all of the pieces in Ruth’s frilly, rose-colored bedroom. As you explore the colossal home sitting on more than 100 acres in this hamlet of Hyde Park, keep in mind that the couple owned four other homes and typically stayed in Staatsburg only from mid-September until Christmastime.

Pro Tip: If you plan on visiting several attractions operated by New York’s state park system, you may want to purchase an Empire Pass . Most sites charge an $8 to $10 admission fee, but for $80, you can purchase an annual pass that gives you access to all of the properties managed as state parks, including historic sites, forests, beaches, trails, and more.

7. Wilderstein

Wilderstein , a three-story Queen Anne mansion at the center of 40 wooded acres overlooking the Hudson River in Rhinebeck , was Daisy Suckley’s family home for 140 years. And while the rose-tinted Victorian mansion with hunter-green accents and its distinctive circular tower is certainly an impressive sight, so are the gorgeous grounds, where Calvert Vaux (one-half of the dynamic duo who designed New York City’s Central Park ) created an impressive network of carriage drives and walking trails rimmed with native flora and accented by wooden gazebos.

Explore the grounds and exterior of Wilderstein between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. year-round at no charge. Or dive deeper into the property’s history with a guided tour.

Fun Fact: A confidant to President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Suckley also bred Scottish terriers, including the World War II leader’s beloved Fala .

8. Clermont

Mike Virgintino / Shutterstock

Seven generations of the prominent Livingston family lived on the banks of the Hudson River in a home dating to pre-Revolutionary War times. The most notable member of the family was Robert R. Livingston . A member of the committee that drafted the Declaration of Independence, Livingston was the first chancellor of New York. And as the Empire State’s highest judge, he administered the oath of office to George Washington when he was sworn in as the nation’s first president in New York City in April of 1789.

Now part of New York’s state park system, the Clermont State Historic Site protects one of the oldest riverfront estates in the mid-valley region. Step inside the white house, with dormer windows and moons carved into its shutters, on a guided tour. Or explore the surrounding 500 acres, where you’ll be treated to amazing views of the Hudson River and the Catskill Mountains .

Just across the Rip Van Winkle Bridge from his mentor’s home and studio, Hudson River School artist Frederic Church built his home, Olana , on a hill overlooking the Hudson River Valley. Working closely with architect Calvert Vaux, who once again left his mark on Upstate New York, Church created an impressive stone-and-brick home adorned with elaborate stencils blending Victorian and Persian architecture.

While many historic mansions in the valley were built as summer or vacation homes, Church and his wife, Isabel, raised their four children at Olana. As one should expect from an artist whose career was largely built around the beauty of the Hudson Valley , the home was designed to accentuate panoramic views of the Hudson River and Catskill Mountains.

The grounds of Olana are a public park, so the exterior of the home, views of the valley, and carriage roads are free to visit from 8 a.m. to sunset. A variety of tours of the grounds and historic home are available, including an electric carriage tour of the 250-acre grounds.

10. Schuyler Mansion

Enjoying renewed fame thanks to Lin-Manuel Miranda’s wildly successful Broadway musical, Hamilton , the childhood home of Eliza Schuyler, Alexander Hamilton’s wife, is the northernmost mansion I recommend visiting. Relatively modest — at least compared to a Gilded Age Vanderbilt or Rockefeller home — this two-story red-brick Georgian mansion is where Hamilton and Eliza wed in 1780.

Once part of an 80-acre farm overlooking the Hudson River, today the Schuyler Mansion State Historic Site occupies just the northeastern corner of the block at Catherine and Clinton Streets. Take a guided tour to explore the beautifully maintained mansion and learn more about the Schuyler sisters — Eliza, Angelica, and Peggy.

11. Boscobel House and Gardens

The original Boscobel was built by wealthy Loyalist States Morris Dyckman in Crugers, NY in 1804. However, after being threatened by demolition due to neglect in the early decades of this century, this Federal-style mansion was dismantled, stored, and finally reassembled as a historic preservation 15 miles north of its original location. 

With a majestic view toward West Point, the new location is maybe the best of any house on the Hudson. The well-appointed grounds include a lush rose garden with scores of different varieties. Apart from the Neoclassical mansion, which has a comprehensive collection of antiques and arts from the Federal period, this 68-acre historic site is also home to a woodland trail. 

Exploring the house with a guide, and then enjoying a picnic in the gardens overlooking the Hudson River, makes for a great way to spend a day. Boscobel hosts various events and performances, including the prestigious Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival , which takes place on the front lawn of the estate each summer. 

Pro Tip: Boscobel is open Fridays to Mondays from May through December.

What Is the Area Along Hudson Known For Besides Mansions?

It is the oldest continuous settlement in the nation and a national historic preservation site that has inspired painters, poets, essayists, and novelists for centuries. It is also home to the Forever Wild Catskill Park, the largest publicly protected area in the United States.

How Much Time Do I Need For a Tour of the Hudson Mansions?

A tour of the mansions can be made in a single day, but a weekend would be even better. You could plan a half dozen visits, with some pleasant dining and an overnight stay in one of the many accommodations in the area. 

What Is the Best Time to Visit Hudson Mansions?

The best time to visit is in early October when the valley is most resplendent with its fall foliage. It is a glorious season and a splendid time to visit these historic sites along the Hudson.

What Are the Most Interesting Mansions Along the Hudson?

The most interesting mansions are those on the eastern shore, along a winding Route 9. The 18th‐century Sleepy Hollow Restorations in Westchester and three 19th‐century estates in the Hyde Park area are especially worth seeing.

Which Mansion in the Hudson Region Is Best for Walks and Picnics?

It depends on individual preferences, but from Vanderbilt estate one of the lanes leads to the river and access to walks and picnic areas along a waterway which is considered as one of the most beautiful and dramatic in the world.

Is it Free to Visit Hudson Valley Mansions?

The accessibility and admission fees for Hudson Valley mansions vary depending on the specific mansion you plan to visit. Some are privately owned and charge an admission fee, while others are open to the public for free or have specific areas that are free to access. We recommend that you check the individual websites or contact the mansions directly to get up-to-date information on admission fees and access policies.

Bitten by the travel bug as a preschooler when her family moved abroad for the first time, Sage Scott is addicted to travel. From her nomadic upbringing in a military family to her personal and professional travels as an adult, Sage has visited all 50 states, lived abroad twice, and explored nearly 30 other countries.

Now settled in America’s Heartland, Sage writes with a midlife traveler’s perspective from Kansas City — the Midwestern cowtown affectionately called the Paris of the Plains and the undisputed Barbecue Capital of the World — and is always in search of new experiences whether in her hometown or halfway around the world.

Rethinking the affordable housing crisis in the Mohawk Valley with historic preservation

New York state leaders recently reached a deal on a new legislative framework addressing the national affordable housing crisis. 

The agreement included enticements for tenants, labor unions, and developers: eviction protections, higher wages for workers, as well as tax breaks for construction. Together, the measures were an attempt to tackle the state’s housing shortage by making it easier to build. 

Gov. Kathy Hochul released a statement deeming it a “landmark deal” she's “very proud of.” 

According to Oneida County officials, rent in the Mohawk Valley has increased over the past five years; locals are spending nearly 35-percent of their annual income on housing. 

Furthermore, records indicate that regional homelessness cases – those applying for temporary housing assistance/emergency shelter – have increased 350-percent since 2020. 

As the county completes its 2024 Comprehensive Housing Inventory Assessment and Strategy, an attempt to lay out a path to meet the needs of the future, a new tool has proven effective: historical preservation. 

Landmark Society of Greater Utica

For 50 years, the Landmarks Society of Greater Utica has been the premiere organization in the region, promoting the preservation, restoration, and reuse of historic buildings, neighborhoods, and landscapes.

Members – Treasurer, Dianne Nassar and Vice President, Michael Bosak – discussed future plans on a private site tour with the Observer-Dispatch.

Bosak framed historic preservation as a solution to ongoing housing issues. He noted its far less expensive to fix-up existing buildings than it is to build new ones, “especially with the current cost of labor and materials.” 

“The infrastructure (roads, water, sewer, electric, and cable lines) already exists” continued Bosak. “It’s just practical. Plus, it's considered greener to preserve existing buildings than to build from scratch. That’s not to say the existing housing stock doesn't come with its own set of challenges (such as lead-based paint and asbestos). Careful work practices help minimize the potential risks.” 

Nassar agreed, acknowledging the dated housing stock in Utica is set in "well-established neighborhoods." They exude their own special charm, she said. 

“We’re hopeful that the next generation continues the tradition of preservation,” added Nassar. "At present we have 400 active volunteers. And, fortunately we’ve found that younger couples are enamored with the details, character, and beauty of the older homes on the market.” 

Rutger mansion tour

To start the tour, Bosak traced the history of the Rutger Mansion.

In 1820 Jude Morris Millar laid the foundation and the front masonry wall. When he passed away his family hired architect Philip Hooker to complete the construction.

Over time, the building was sold to a variety of individuals such as Utica Mayor Thomas Walker and U.S. Senator Roscoe Conkling. 

“Conkling was a key figure during the Grant administration, when the Republican Party first formed,” underscored Bosak. “When he died, there was a speech held on the front porch. Thousands showed up for the oration.” 

In 2008 the Landmarks Society bought the three buildings; the first investment the non profit organization had made. Supposedly, then President Mike Rizzo had lived across the street and felt troubled by the decline of the property. 

“A couple owned all three buildings,” explained Bosak. “One was used as a nursing home, the other as a fraternity house. This mansion was their private residence. Eventually the frat house fell into disrepair and had to be taken down.” 

Bosak went on to claim the residential mansion as the “most historic house in the county."

Not only is it listed on the national registry but it’s also a National Historic Landmark. The only other of which is the Old Main building on Court Street. 

“The dining room has original Zuber wallpaper, ” Bosak gleamed. “Which is super rare– scarce amounts today are found in the White House. The print, tropical zones, dates back to the 1790s. It was all hand blocked so it can’t be replaced but is can be preserved.” 

Today the building wears many hats as the Landmark society’s headquarters, a house museum, and an event center (commonly used for wedding receptions). Tomorrow it might try on a few more, hinted Bosak.

“After addressing porch stability issues we plan to turn our attention to the upstairs at the other mansion,” said Nassar. “We’re hoping to renovate the top floors and convert it into a space used for AirBnB’s or affordable apartments.” 

'A tool for combatting the affordable housing crisis'

One might think for a city the size of Utica there’d be a lot of potential housing stock.  

Nassar clarified that’s not the case. 

“Back in the 1970’s we lost a ton of buildings,” recalled Nassar. “As a lifelong resident of Utica, I look at the Loft apartments we have today and remember the naysayers who doubted that people would choose to live in a repurposed building. Now those units are hard to get because they’re so popular.” 

As stated by Nassar, with rent up nearly 49- percent it makes sense to use what we have in our wheelhouse.

With pressures for future development in the area Bosak emphasized it's imperative the Landmarks’ mission – to preserve history and protect the future – endures so there can be a balance between the existing built environment and new plans. 

Summer walks, historical happy hours

The Rutger Mansion will be open for the public to tour on June 25.

In fact, every Monday night during the summer, June to August, the Landmark Society holds free walk and talk tours where a historian dives into site history and facilitates conversation, Bosak highlighted.

According to Nassar, it's become such a beloved tradition the board recently decided to extend it through the winter as well: historical happy hours. 

The last cocktail party of the season will be held April 25 at the Hage Building on Genesee Street. 

“That site is an example of sustainable preservation,” said Nassar. “Another solution to modern problems."

Utica's first green building

James Hage, founding attorney of Hage & Hage Law, bought his first historic building across from the Oneida County courthouse on Charlotte Street in Utica. He later purchased the surrounding lot and redeveloped his first site. 

In 1972, the Landmark Society gave Hage an award for his "honorable" renovations.

“Years went by and I watched this building on the corner of South and Genesee street go unoccupied,” Hage recalled. “It used to be the Homestead Savings and Loan Bank. As a young lawyer used to attend real estate closings there.” 

Hage remembered watching the building deteriorate as it stood vacant for six years. At the time (2005) he’d just sold his company, Independent Wireless One, to Spring P.C.S and had been looking for another site to invest in. 

“With a 25-foot ceiling everyone suggested I add different floors to create leasable apartments,” said Hage. “Absolutely not. I used to write for an architecture magazine in graduate school. I knew I had a responsibility to preserve the atrium. The problem? Finding a way to deal with high utility costs.” 

Hage admitted he didn’t have an initial commitment to green energy; he said he stumbled into the idea of geothermal heating and solar energy as a caveat to his financial predicament. 

LEED certification

In 2006 Hage reached out to the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). He shared that their reaction was one of shock; a green building hadn't been built in the city before.

Laughing, Hage referred to the project as a "Lewis and Clark-type expedition."

“None of the engineers or contractors had worked on a green project– let alone a LEED certified one,” said Hage. “We learned as we went. Luckily the adjacent parking was the ideal location for buying 25 geothermal wells, 440 feet deep each.” 

LEED-certified buildings focus on occupant well-being. The rating system focuses on strategies like banning smoking and reducing toxic exposure from materials to improve air quality.

The certification process mandates the submission of thorough documentation to demonstrate compliance with standards in: site sustainability, water efficiency, energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, materials, and natural resources.  

“The regulations were over 1,000 pages,” Hage emphasized. “The requirements are stringent, down to details like the kind of glue used in the furniture we bought. We hired Amy Dunst from Harden Furniture in Connellsville PA. She refurbishing the entire interior. ” 

Sustainable historic preservation

According to Hage, it's much more difficult to renovate a building sustainably then it is to build one.

He outlined how the green temperature system works. 

“We circulate our water with food-grade glycol.” explained Hage. “Its almost like a closed radiator system in a car. Since the ground below the earth is a constant 55 degrees geothermal heat takes advantage of that. In the winter the system pulls from warmth from the earth; in the summer it takes heat from the air and releasing it into the earth."

Given the orientation of the site it also relies on solar harvesting; its floors absorb sunlight during the day and radiate energy at night. 

When asked whether or not Hage has seen a return on investment he answered with a resounding yes. 

“Remarkably so,” emphasized Hage. “The transition to renewable sourcing has greatly improved the economics of the building. I was hoping to be a Johnny Appleseed of sorts, spreading this idea throughout the community. I have to tell you, it's been a success for me but I've failed to onboard others.” 

Enter a new green community

Despite many awards and congratulations received, Hage said he was most proud of his partnership with the Johnson Park Center (JPC).

After taking Reverend Maria Scates on a tour of his green building in 2007 he mentioned that every JPC building built/renovated since has also been LEED certified. 

“We’ve working on a collaborative project in Utica now,” added Hage. “62 units of affordable housing and a green community center. I expect it to be done by the end of the year.” 

The Johnson Park Green Community apartments are a $28 million development located in the Cornhill neighborhood.

Designed to meet Passive House standards and NYSERDA's Buildings of Excellence program criteria, the apartments utilize energy-efficient features, including a solar photovoltaic system capable of meeting a significant portion of the development's energy demand, with a goal of net-zero emissions.

In line with passive house standards, each building features an Energy Recovery Ventilation system; the temperature from the exhaust air will pretreat the incoming air. The project is anticipated to achieve a minimum of LEED Gold, state officials said. 

"Johnson Park Green Community Apartments will provide affordable, energy-efficient homes and a new hub for the community that builds upon our ongoing investments in Utica," said Governor Hochul in a statement. "These investments in the city, including through the $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative, are helping strengthen Utica's neighborhoods and provide our most vulnerable residents with the housing options they need to thrive."

Nassar and Bosak both felt Hage's work with sustainable historic preservation was worth spotlighting. They said it showcased how national issues, such as the climate crisis and the affordable housing crisis, can be treated at a grassroots level.