The Only Grand Country Estate Left In Pelham Bay - Bartow-Pell Mansion

In 1654, Thomas Pell, an English physician from Connecticut, purchased 50,000 acres from the local Lenape tribe. This land now encompasses what is known as the Bronx and lower Westchester County. The Pell family resided on the property until the Revolutionary War, when the original house was destroyed by fire. The land briefly passed to the LeRoy family before Robert Bartow, a Pell descendant, and his wife, Maria Lorillard (of the tobacco family), purchased a portion of the original estate in 1836. In 1842, they built the Greek Revival mansion that still stands today.

The Bartow family remained on the estate until 1888, when the City of New York acquired the property, along with surrounding acreage, as part of what is now Pelham Bay Park.

In 1914, the city leased the site to the International Garden Club (IGC). Under the leadership of Mrs. Charles Frederick Hoffman, the IGC hired the architectural firm Delano & Aldrich to restore the mansion and design a formal garden.

Thanks to the lease with the International Garden Club, the Bartow-Pell Mansion was preserved and later opened as a museum in 1946.

This is what caught my eye; I hope you enjoy!

The front facade of the mansion.

This Secretary desk in the second floor living area once belonged to Aaron Burr.

This portrait of Mrs. Charles Frederick Hoffman hangs in the former office, now the gift shop. Mrs. Hoffman was prominent in New York, Newport, and English society and was instrumental in the preservation of the Bartow-Pell Mansion.

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The formal gardens looking from the house. In the 1800s, the Bronx was mostly forest and farmland and became the place for the New York City rich to build their summer homes.

The entrance hall sets the stage with elegance and symmetry, with its formal balance and graceful free standing spiral staircase.

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The free standing staircase sweeps in elliptical curves up to the attic and is lit by small clerestory windows at the peak of the roof.

The elegance continues in the double parlors with French doors opening to the garden.

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Two of the fireplaces in the double parlor and can be closed off with huge pocket doors.

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The door and window pediments in the double parlor contain carved spread eagles and winged cupids.

The table is set in the dining room.

This mahogany sideboard has carved and turned legs that enclose a pair of column supports which open to provide plate storage.

In 1936, the mansion even served as Mayor LaGuardia’s summer office.

In the primary bedroom

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The second floor living area.

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In one of the second floor bedrooms a tester bed by Charles-Honoré Lannuier, a French-born American cabinetmaker. This piece is on loan from the MET.

A third second floor bedroom.

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In the attic you will see how the servants would have lived.

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The servant call bells

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The grounds

The is a structure that the Lenapes would have inhabited on this property prior to the acquisition in 1654 by Connecticut physician Thomas Pell.

The carriage house

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The Bronx was a popular summer destination for wealthy New Yorkers. This is a view of the rear facade with formal gardens.

What you should know:

• There are walking trails.

• Restroom is available.

• One price includes parking, self-guided mansion and grounds.

• Guided tours are also available.

• The guided tour lasts between 45-60 minutes.

• Tickets can be purchased on site.

• Check website for days and hours of operation.

Location: 895 Shore Rd, Bronx, NY 10464

For more information: Barrow-Pell Mansion

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