Beyond NYC: Vanderbilt Mansion in Beautiful Dutchess County, NY

History and nature all within less than two hours from New York City

Vanderbilt Mansion and Gardens in Hyde Park, NY is a perfect place to get in touch with history and nature.  If you haven’t explored the hills of the east shore of Hudson River yet, you are in for a pleasant surprise. Located just under a 2-hour drive from New York City, the treasures of Dutchess County seems to be infinite and as fulfilling as ever.

The proximity to the City and easy access to the mighty Hudson River and its steamboats running up and down from New York to Albany made this land a very desirable real-estate starting from the early 19th century. The Grand Central Railroad allowed for stable connection from the secluded places like Hyde Park or Rhinebeck to the City and established the area as and a tourist destination. As for the ultra-rich, it let them combine life on the estates with the pleasures of city life. The mansions of the industrialists started popping up on the shores of Hudson River showcasing their net-worth to the public.

The region’s historical treasures are numerous and range from the revolutionary period all the way to the mid-20th century.

Check the historic site website for the opening hours and public alerts.

 

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Vanderbilt Mansion at Hyde Park, NY

Gilded-Age Splendor in Beaux-Art American Renaissance Style

One of the most imposing mansions that had sprung up on the eastern shore of Hudson River is Vanderbilt Mansion. While not the largest by the number of rooms (it counts only 54), it is the most dominating when viewed from the river. The one that is larger with 65 rooms is Staatsburgh Mansion which belonged to Mill’s family. Vanderbilt Mansion was designed and built between 1896–1899 for Frederick and Louise Vanderbilt. At that time, the visibility of the mansion from the boats passing down the river was the top of the showoff.

The quintessential Beaux-Art American renaissance style of the estate projects the unmatched wealth and resources in a quest to justify a rapid rise in the society’s status. Imperial design of the main floor with its deep-marron colors and splendid furnishing by European craftsmen were all destined to compensate for thin pedigree, a very common case for the Gilded-Age barons.

While the owners of the estate had many other bigger properties, this mansion would surely qualify to serve as a stop-over palace for royalty. The mansion was only used by the family in early spring and mid-fall when the summer heat and humidity would already subside or didn’t get into full steam, and the grounds can still be enjoyed for leisurely outdoor activities. For a summer destination, the

Breakers in Newport, Rhode Island was a better choice. A book by a grandson of Cornelius Vanderbilt, Arthur T. Vanderbilt Fortune’s Children details the family’s stories.

The estate is neighboring Roosevelt’s estate in Hyde Park.  Both families were part of the same social circle. So when in 1940 a niece of the original owner of Vanderbilt Mansion, Margaret “Daisy” Van Alen, was looking for a buyer of the 600-acre estate which she became too tired of, FDR encouraged her to donate part of the property which borders the river to the National Park Service. The estate is now a historic site with the sprawling property and the Formal Gardens opened up to the public. The majestic view of Hudson with the Catskill Mountains in the background to the north is breathtaking.

When the site will be opened up again, hourly tours of the mansion will be given by the National Park Service. The excursions are complete with fascinating historical details and interesting life style stories about the owners and the serving staff. The movies like Downton Abbey or Gosford Park come to mind when touring the floors and peeking at the halls and bedrooms.

The mansion had undergone a 3-year exterior restoration. With the works being complete, the visitors can now see the original colors envisioned by the designers.

The estate features majestic Formal Gardens dutifully maintained by the all-volunteer Vanderbilt Garden Association.

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Visit National Park Service site to get the details for your visit.

Visit Dutchess County Tourism site to get a Great Estate Pass to see the mansions.

Venue: 119 Vanderbilt Park Rd, Hyde Park, NY 12538

Planning to spend a night in Dutchess county, NY? Consider the quaint walking village of Rhinebeck, NY. Get intimate with the charms of small town life by staying at historic Beekman Arms & Delamater Inn. Ask for a room on Delamater side of the property for a quiet room on mini estate while being still in the center of the village. For more lodging options visit Dutchess County Tourism.

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