Mansion Tours
You don’t have to go far to find reminders of the Gilded Age, or Long Island’s Gold Coast. NYC, the boroughs and Long Island have some really fabulous mansions, historic homes and farms, and mansion/museums that will keep you busy all summer long.
Gracie Mansion. In 1799, a prosperous New York merchant named Archibald Gracie built a country house overlooking a bend in the East River, five miles north of the City. Financial failure forced Gracie to sell his house to Joseph Foulke in 1823, and in 1857, the house came into the possession of Noah Wheaton. The City of New York appropriated the estate in 1896, incorporating its 11 acres of grounds into the newly-formed Carl Schurz Park. After decades of use as a concession stand and restrooms for the park, Gracie Mansion was restored and became the first home of the Museum of the City of New York. When it moved to a larger building, Gracie Mansion became a historic house museum run by the Parks Department. Parks Commissioner Robert Moses convinced City authorities to designate it as the official residence of the Mayor, and in 1942, Fiorello H. La Guardia moved in. Since then, every Mayor, except Bloomberg has lived there. Get the details on tours.
Sagamore Hill
Sagamore Hill was the home of Theodore Roosevelt, 26th President of the United States, from 1885 until his death in 1919. During Roosevelt's time in office, his "Summer White House" was the focus of international attention. Otherwise, it was the home of a most remarkable fellow and his interesting family.
Carnegie Melon Mansion,FREE Admission on July 4th. Located on Fifth Avenue in NYC, the mansion is now the home of the Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum. The sixty-four-room mansion, built from 1899 to 1902, has the largest garden in NYC. http://www.cooperhewitt.org/visit
The Van Cortlandt House Museum also known as Frederick Van Cortlandt House is the oldest building in The Bronx, New York City. The house was built by Frederick Van Cortlandt (1699 - 1749) in 1748 as a mansion for the Van Cortlandt family. It was built in Yonkers, of fieldstone and in the Georgian style. He died before its completion and willed it to his son, James Van Cortlandt.
Morris-Jumel Mansion, is Manhattan's oldest surviving house, built about 1765 as a summer retreat for British colonel Roger Morris and his wife, Mary Philipse. And yes, George Washington slept here.General Washington used Morris-Jumel Mansion (MJM) as his headquarters during the fall of 1776. It was during this period that the General’s troops forced a British retreat at the Revolutionary War Battle of Harlem Heights. The house was built eleven years before the revolution, in 1765, by British Colonel Roger Morris and his American wife, Mary Philipse. The breezy hilltop location proved an ideal location for the family’s summer home. Known as Mount Morris, this northern Manhattan estate stretched from the Harlem to the Hudson Rivers and covered more than 130 acres. Because they were loyal to the crown, the Morrises were eventually forced to return to England. Morris-Jumel Mansion is located at 65 Jumel Terrace, a short block which extends from West 160th & West 162nd Streets. http://www.nps.gov/sahi/index.htm
Coe Hall William Coe Estate, in Oyster Bay Long island, built in 1921. More commonly known as Planting Fields Arboretum, this State Park is known not only for its Botanical collection, but also the summer concerts. Designed by Walker and Gillette, this structure is a combination of Limestone and Tudor-like detail. The main drive entrance is notable for the Carshalton Gates, originally created in 1712 for the Carshalton Park estate in England. The gates were purchased by William Coe and transplanted to Coe Hall. Mansion tours are also available. http://www.plantingfields.org
The Queens County Farm Museum in Floral Park has a history that dates back to 1697; it occupies New York City's largest remaining tract of undisturbed farmland and is the only working historical farm in the City. http://www.queensfarm.org
Old Westbury Gardens Phipps estate, built 1909, Westbury Long Island. Arguably, the best preserved Gold Coast mansion and estate. The house and grounds are open to the public, and is administered by the Old Westbury Gardens Foundation. The mansion was designed in the style of an English manor house by George A. Crawley. The gardens were inspired by Mr. Phipps' English wife Margarita Grace, and are reminiscent of traditional English formal gardens. Whether your interests are in architecture, history, gardening, or just a stroll in a peaceful setting, this is the place. With 100 acres, including rose gardens, walled garden, and pond, there is much to see to fill a day. Not to mention the 70 room mansion with antique furnishings and art. http://www.oldwestburygardens.org/
Vanderbilt Museum, Centerport, Long Island. The Mansion Tour begins in the Courtyard of the historic house once owned by William K. Vanderbilt II. A guide will describe the history of its construction and the architectural details of Vanderbilt's 24-room mansion at his Eagle's Nest estate. Once in the Mansion, the guide will introduce the visitors to the history of the Vanderbilt family and take them through their living quarters and also the servant's wing. The Vanderbilt Planetarium opened in 1971 on the grounds of the Vanderbilt estate, and it is the largest facility of its kind on Long Island. The Planetarium's purpose is to provide visitors with information about the nighttime sky. http://www.vanderbiltmuseum.org/home.php?section=history
 | ||||
The NYC Insider's Guide
for women who aren't kids
The Three Tomatoes
HTML Comment Box is loading comments...
A Weekly guide to NYC Insider's Events, Good Causes, and special offers (updated every Saturday)
Three Tomatoes Insider Events
Stay tuned for new events.
Photo Gallery and Highlights
Past Three Tomatoes Events
If you have an upcoming charity event, email tomato@thethreetomatoes.com with the details for considerarion.
PAID LISTINGS: If you have a "for profit" event, and would like to buy a paid listing, please email tomato@thethreetomatoes.com for rates.
HomeI NYC Life I Food & Drink IStyle I Shopping I Travel I Health I Entertainment I Home&Hearth I Money&Careers I Love&Sex I Give Back I About Us
Mansion Tours in and around NYC
