Lyndhurst - The Gould Tarrytown Estate

House Museum

Aug 5

The Tarrytown estate had three resident families: the Pauldings, the Merritts and the Goulds. In 1838, former New York City mayor William Paulding, Jr. commissioned newcomer architect, Alexander Jackson Davis, to build his Gothic Revival-style mansion overlooking the Hudson River. Paulding called the estate “Knoll” and enlisted landscape architect Ferdinand Mangold to design the 67-acre estate. Many referred to the mansion as “Paulding’s Folly” because of its unique turrets and unconventional architecture.

The second owner, George Merritt, commissioned Alexander Jackson Davis to double the size of the original house and changed the name to Lyndenhurst, after the estate’s linden trees. The north wing, with four-story tower, stained glass windows and elements of French influence, were added at this time.

In 1880, railroad tycoon Jay Gould purchased the estate, and shortened the name to Lyndhurst, and used the estate as his country home until his death in 1892. Philanthropist daughter, Helen Gould, inherited the estate in 1892 and hosted classes to educate and benefit the area children. Upon her death in 1938, Helen Gould passed the mansion to her younger sister Anna, Duchess of Talleyrand-Perigord. Anna was spending most of her time at the Plaza Hotel, leaving Lyndhurst often empty. Anna allowed World War II soldiers relax at the mansion to relax after the war.

Unlike many mansions of the time, Lyndhurst never fell into disrepair due to neglect. In 1961, Anna Gould donated the house to the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and it was opened to the public as a house museum. The estate was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1966.

Here is what caught my eye. I hope you enjoy!

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This is the front facade of the house. The entire limestone exterior of the house was quarried at Sing Sing.

A side view of the the front facade with carriage porch

Architectural detail in the vestibule

The faux painted marble entrance hall detail

Pictured here is the decorative hall tree in the entrance hall.

A look down the main passageway with elegant arched entranceways

The reception room with painted ceiling depicting the hours of the day

The craftsmanship, stained glass windows and some Herter Brothers furnishings in the reception room

Library

The library with beautiful accents and stained glass windows

Decorative ceiling detail in the library

The warming station in the dining room

The ornate dining room with gold stenciled walls and chairs designed by A. J. Davis

Wooden beams cross the dining room ceiling.

Another view of the dining room

Vaulted ceilings in Mrs. Gould’s bedroom and a bed designed by A. J. Davis

Mr. Gould’s bedroom

The beautiful canopy bed in Mr. Gould’s bedroom

The vaulted ceiling and chandeliers in the second floor gallery

The artwork of masters displayed in the second floor gallery

Another view of the second floor gallery

Second floor bedroom

Beautiful antique details are throughout the house.

Bathroom

Mr. Gould’s office contains this custom-designed portable desk with dozens of drawers all fold together, so that they are easily transported.

Lyndhurst, with its turrets, sits high on a hill with sweeping Hudson River views

The beautiful Love Temple in the middle of the rose garden

The 390-foot-long Lord & Burnham conservatory / greenhouse, when built, was said to be one of the largest privately owned greenhouses in the United States, with 14 individual rooms.

Despite his notorious reputation, Jay Gould often spent time tending to his collection of 230 orchids and palms in the greenhouse. When Anna took over the house, she sold off the collections to the New York Botanical Garden to raise money for the Red Cross and that is when the greenhouse neglect began.

Greenhouse complex

This greenhouse complex replaced the elaborate wooden model Merritt had built, which was destroyed by fire.

The huge main greenhouse which was added to the estate in 1891

A garden wishing well

Restoration on the pool house has begun after being closed for over 40 years.

The Pool House

The Pool House interior

Helen Gould built this bowling pavilion and recreation center in 1894, to add to the already luxurious lifestyle and to host occasional community events.

This is a picture of the the bowling alley porch. The bowling alley at Lyndhurst is said to be one of the first private regulation alleys in the nation.