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taboo5 | profile | all galleries >> United States >> Mansions, Estates, Gardens, Churches, Zoos and Museums in the U.S. >> Hudson Valley, NY Mansions, Estates, Gardens, Churches and Schools >> Kykuit Rockefeller Estate at Sleepy Hollow, New York (September 2009) tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Kykuit Rockefeller Estate at Sleepy Hollow, New York (September 2009)

Kykuit, is a 40-room, 6-story Classical Revival Georgian mansion set on 3,500 acres in Westchester County, NY, built by the founder of the Standard Oil Company, John D. Rockefeller (Senior). He was the richest man in America and the first billionaire. The mansion took six years to construct and was finally completed in 1913. Frederick Olmsted (who designed Central Park) did the initial landscape design of Kykuit, but John D. (Senior) was unhappy with his work and took it over himself. In 1906, the landscape architect, William Welles Bosworth, completed the landscaping of Kykuit with Beaux-Arts gardens, terraces, fountains, pavilions and classical sculpture. The name “Kykuit” means “lookout” in Dutch, because it is built on the highest point of Pocantico Hills, overlooking Sleepy Hollow, Tarrytown with views of the Hudson River, the Tappan Zee Bridge and of the distant Manhattan skyline. Four generations of Rockefellers have lived there: John D. Rockefeller (Senior), his son, John D. Rockefeller, Jr. (Junior), his son Nelson Rockefeller (the former Governor of New York and Vice President) and Nelson’s children. When Nelson Rockefeller died in 1979, he left his one-third interest in the estate to the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Kykuit was enriched by John D. (Junior’s) interest in classical art, and by Nelson, who was a huge supporter of modern art. Nelson turned the empty basement passages beneath the mansion into a private art gallery containing paintings by Picasso, Chagall and Warhol, as well as many other famous modern artists. The grounds and gardens of Kykuit are dotted with art acquired by Nelson. Today, in the area not controlled by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, there are around ten Rockefeller families who live within the estate.
Kykuit Rockefeller Estate at Sleepy Hollow, NY cover page.
Kykuit Rockefeller Estate at Sleepy Hollow, NY cover page.		 Map of the Hudson Valley showing Sleepy Hollow.
Map of the Hudson Valley showing Sleepy Hollow.		 Garden plan of Kykuit with the house in the center. The gardens were designed by William Welles Bosworth.
Garden plan of Kykuit with the house in the center. The gardens were designed by William Welles Bosworth.		 John D. Rockefeller (Senior) and John D. Rockefeller (Junior), about 1920.
John D. Rockefeller (Senior) and John D. Rockefeller (Junior), about 1920.
Façade of the Classical Revival Georgian mansion, which took six years to complete. It is six-stories, with a mansard roof.
Façade of the Classical Revival Georgian mansion, which took six years to complete. It is six-stories, with a mansard roof.		 A classical-style pediment gracing Kykuit's façade with an American eagle cradling John D. Rockefeller's monogram.
A classical-style pediment gracing Kykuit's façade with an American eagle cradling John D. Rockefeller's monogram.		 Elaborate metal designs on the porte cochère at the front of the mansion.
Elaborate metal designs on the porte cochère at the front of the mansion.		 These decorations on both sides of the mansion's roof were sculpted using Rockefeller children as models.
These decorations on both sides of the mansion's roof were sculpted using Rockefeller children as models.
One of several beautiful planters on pedestals at Kykuit.
One of several beautiful planters on pedestals at Kykuit.		 Oceanus (world-ocean in classical antiquity) fountain after Giambologna (Flemish-born 16th century Italian Mannerist sculptor).
Oceanus (world-ocean in classical antiquity) fountain after Giambologna (Flemish-born 16th century Italian Mannerist sculptor).		 One of several elaborately-carved lamps in front of the Kykuit mansion.
One of several elaborately-carved lamps in front of the Kykuit mansion.		 Close-up of one of the lamps located at the front entrance door.
Close-up of one of the lamps located at the front entrance door.
Elaborate ironwork design from the southern terrace looking east where the front of the mansion is.
Elaborate ironwork design from the southern terrace looking east where the front of the mansion is.		 Fountain on the terrace facing the southern Inner Garden designed by William Welles Bosworth.
Fountain on the terrace facing the southern Inner Garden designed by William Welles Bosworth.		 Junior hired Bosworth to plan the formal gardens. He went to l'École in Paris and worked for Frederick Olmstead.
Junior hired Bosworth to plan the formal gardens. He went to l'École in Paris and worked for Frederick Olmstead.		 Bosworth's Kykuit garden is considered to be one of his greatest works in the United States.
Bosworth's Kykuit garden is considered to be one of his greatest works in the United States.
View looking north towards the mansion on the linden allée (pathway).
View looking north towards the mansion on the linden allée (pathway).		 Fountain on the linden allée facing in the direction of the Temple of Venus.
Fountain on the linden allée facing in the direction of the Temple of Venus.		 Elaborate metal sculpture in the fountain with a violinist and flower petals.
Elaborate metal sculpture in the fountain with a violinist and flower petals.		 The Temple of Venus was designed by Bosworth to house the Venus sculpture, a favorite of Junior's.
The Temple of Venus was designed by Bosworth to house the Venus sculpture, a favorite of Junior's.
Unfortunately, the sculpture is a 19th century replica; the original by Greek sculptor Praxiteles was lost.
Unfortunately, the sculpture is a 19th century replica; the original by Greek sculptor Praxiteles was lost.		 Close-up of the Venus sculpture. Junior liked classical art; hence, the classical origins of the house and garden design.
Close-up of the Venus sculpture. Junior liked classical art; hence, the classical origins of the house and garden design.		 Sculpture entitled Two Circus Women by Eli Nadelman, acquired by Nelson who liked modern art.
Sculpture entitled "Two Circus Women" by Eli Nadelman, acquired by Nelson who liked modern art.		 This sculpture entitled Two Females Nudes was also by Eli Nadelman and acquired by Nelson.
This sculpture entitled "Two Females Nudes" was also by Eli Nadelman and acquired by Nelson.
Sculpture created in 1906, named Torso, by French artist Aristide Maillol.
Sculpture created in 1906, named "Torso," by French artist Aristide Maillol.		 View of the Asian-inspired Brook Garden. I was forbidden to enter garden unless I paid for another tour.
View of the Asian-inspired Brook Garden. I was forbidden to enter garden unless I paid for another tour.		 Several Japanese bronze lanterns (such as this) and Japanese cherry trees are part of the Asian influences of the Brook Garden.
Several Japanese bronze lanterns (such as this) and Japanese cherry trees are part of the Asian influences of the Brook Garden.		 The tea house, located on the east end of the Inner Garden, was a favorite place for refreshments for the Rockefeller family.
The tea house, located on the east end of the Inner Garden, was a favorite place for refreshments for the Rockefeller family.
Fountain with swans designed by American artist Rudolph Evans, in front of the tea house.
Fountain with swans designed by American artist Rudolph Evans, in front of the tea house.		 This metal dragon sculpture is a fountain spouting water.
This metal dragon sculpture is a fountain spouting water.		 View of the mansion from the southern Inner Garden looking north.
View of the mansion from the southern Inner Garden looking north.		 The trees are beautifully manicured in Bosworth's Kykuit gardens.
The trees are beautifully manicured in Bosworth's Kykuit gardens.
View from a Orange Tree Terrace. The mansion was built on the highest point of Pocantico Hills, with a Hudson River view.
View from a Orange Tree Terrace. The mansion was built on the highest point of Pocantico Hills, with a Hudson River view.		 Orange Tree Terrace view of the Beaux-Arts West Garden, with terraces, fountains, pavilions and classical and modern sculptures.
Orange Tree Terrace view of the Beaux-Arts West Garden, with terraces, fountains, pavilions and classical and modern sculptures.		 Below is a putting green. Many modern sculptures acquired by Nelson Rockefeller can be seen.
Below is a putting green. Many modern sculptures acquired by Nelson Rockefeller can be seen.		 View of the Swimming Pool Terrace and of some classical sculptures that were probably acquired by Junior.
View of the Swimming Pool Terrace and of some classical sculptures that were probably acquired by Junior.
A view from below looking up at the western façade of Kykuit.
A view from below looking up at the western façade of Kykuit.		 In the West Garden is Karl Bitter's statue called The Goose Girl, commissioned by Junior in 1914.
In the West Garden is Karl Bitter's statue called "The Goose Girl," commissioned by Junior in 1914.		 Also in the West Garden is this modern sculpture called Song of the Vowels (1931-32) by Lithuanian artist, Jacques Lipchitz.
Also in the West Garden is this modern sculpture called "Song of the Vowels" (1931-32) by Lithuanian artist, Jacques Lipchitz.		 Bosworth designed the semicircular Rose Garden as the principle feature of the north terraces.
Bosworth designed the semicircular Rose Garden as the principle feature of the north terraces.
The fountain is a replica of one at the Biboli Gardens in Florence. The carved sculpture on top is based on one by Donatello.
The fountain is a replica of one at the Biboli Gardens in Florence. The carved sculpture on top is based on one by Donatello.		 The northern façade of Kykuit. The kitchen and some bedrooms face this side.
The northern façade of Kykuit. The kitchen and some bedrooms face this side.		 Senior built an elaborate underground tunnel to the service court, so as not to be disturbed by noisy deliveries when sleeping.
Senior built an elaborate underground tunnel to the service court, so as not to be disturbed by noisy deliveries when sleeping.		 The Coach Barn stands where the Parsons-Wentworth stables burnt down in 1895.
The Coach Barn stands where the Parsons-Wentworth stables burnt down in 1895.
Senior rebuilt it in 1901-1902. Bosworth modified it in 1916. View of horse drawn carriages.
Senior rebuilt it in 1901-1902. Bosworth modified it in 1916. View of horse drawn carriages.		 Some early Model A and Model T Fords used by the Rockefellers and stored in the Coach Barn.
Some early Model A and Model T Fords used by the Rockefellers and stored in the Coach Barn.		 A classic 1939 Cadillac Model 75 that was owned by Junior.
A classic 1939 Cadillac Model 75 that was owned by Junior.		 More information on Junior's 1939 Cadillac.
More information on Junior's 1939 Cadillac.
These more recent cars stored in the Coach Barn were used by Nelson and his family.
These more recent cars stored in the Coach Barn were used by Nelson and his family.

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Anonymous 18-Mar-2012 16:08
Great photo and explanations. Very informative!
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