The Hudson River Valley in upstate New York will be particularly beautiful in the fall with its trees in a blaze of colorful glory. I hope you can join me for a tour of the region’s famous and historic mansions – including the stunning Olana House, home of painter Frederick Edwin Church.
My tour partner, noted American furniture expert and museum consultant Dr. Philip Zimmerman, and I will lead you on a journey in the beginning of October of jaw-dropping mansions and give you access to some homes not usually open to the public. We had originally planned to lead this tour in June, but fall will actually be even more beautiful.
We’ll begin at the famous Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City on Oct. 9 and depart the following day by private shuttle to the picturesque Hudson River Valley.
Over the next few days, we’ll take you inside several mansions, built in the 19th century in a range of styles including Classical Revival, Gothic Revival and Victorian. And we’ll stay in historic inns throughout the valley.
Included on the itinerary, aside from Olana, is the Lyndhurst, the magnificent Gothic Revival home to New York Mayor William Paulding and later to railroad magnate Jay Gould and is a National Trust Historic Site; Locust Lawn, built in 1814 for Colonel Josiah Hasbrouck and now a museum and extraordinary time capsule; and Edgewater, a beautiful 1825 house with full-portico front on the Hudson River and restored in the 1970s by Richard Jenrette.
In addition, David Bayne, head furniture conservator of the New York State Historic Site, will speak at Clermont State Historic Site. Stops will be made in Sleepy Hollow, West Point and other historical places.
I can’t wait to see you on this trip. More details will be forthcoming and you can check my website for updates.