Eleven Historic Homes to Tour in the Hudson Valley
Insider tips on touring these architectural gems
The Hudson Valley has no shortage of historic homes. I love a good tour, especially with a passionate docent. It's like having a personal historian by my side to put the lives of these homeowners in context – What was going on in the world at the time? What were the politics like then? What did they eat for dinner back in the day :)
Every time I walk through a historic front door, I suddenly become part nosey neighbor, part history nerd, part fan girl. Sometimes it's the particular famous former resident that draws me in; sometimes it's about the specific architecture. Mostly, I just love getting a visual glimpse at what life was like in an era and setting before my time. I try to think about what my life would be like back then and there.
When I was a kid, I used to pretend that Laura Ingalls was my BFF, and I lived next door to the Little House on the Prairie. Or I imagined what it was like living in the ruins of Pompeii. While the Hudson Valley might not have old ruins or many log cabins, there are plenty of houses to explore, and most offer tours. I have made it my mission in recent years to visit as many as I can.
Starting from south and going north, here are where I have been transported to thus far:
Glenview Historic Home /Yonkers
This 1877 Gilded Age home was owned by a prominent stockbroker who wanted a country house for his family close to the city. With sweeping views of the Hudson, the house is filled with original furnishings, decorative objects, and artwork. The woodwork and architectural details have been beautifully restored. It is consistently ranked as one of the most important early Gilded Age residences open for tours. For HBO The Gilded Age fans: Mrs Astor’s home was filmed here!
Tours: Wednesdays-Fridays 1:00 pm and Saturdays & Sundays 1:00 & 3:00 pm. The house is run by the Hudson River Museum, so check their site for more info.
Jasper Cropsey House /Hastings-on-Hudson
Ever Rest, the former home of artist Jasper Cropsey, is a hidden gem in Hastings-on-Hudson. A Hudson River School painter, Cropsey was known for his detailed and romanticized depictions of the Hudson Valley. It's crazy how the landscapes we can still see today are just like his paintings! The modest house, which has been in his family since 1886, is full of his paintings as well as heirlooms and period furniture. A tour here offers an intimate glimpse into the life and work of one of America’s great landscape painters. No photos are allowed inside, but you won’t forget it.
Tours are by appointment only on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays
The Armour-Stiner House / Irvington
This place is the only known, fully-domed octagonal residence in the US and the only house that replicates Donato Bramante’s 1502 Tempietto in Rome. Also known as the "Octagon House," this uniquely shaped home was painstakingly restored to its 1872 roots. During your tour, you learn some secrets about the house and its grounds. Created as a summer house in 1872 by tea-importer Joseph Stiner, this National Historic Landmark's shape was based on the theories that octagonal houses have more space, allow the sun in at all times, and permitted more views. Be sure not to miss the Foxglove Garden, which is also shaped like an octagon
Tours: Open Thursday - Monday. Check their website for hours and reserve
Villa Lewaro / Irvington
Home to Madame C.J. Walker, the first self-made female millionaire in America (!!), who made her fortune in the Black hair care industry. Though she only lived here for a couple of years before her death in 1919, the mansion is important because it symbolized Walker's rise from washer woman to entrepreneur. Designed by Vertner Tandy, the first licensed Black architect in New York State, the 34-room mansion included luxuries like an eclectic elevator and central heating. The original organ – with pipes throughout the house – is still intact. Though rarely open for tours, if you are strolling along the Croton aqueduct between Irvington and Tarrytown, you will get a great view of the backside and its terraces. It was open for Irvington’s 5th Annual Juneteenth Celebration, and I was lucky enough to get a peek. Take a virtual tour and sign up for Saving Places newsletter here
Washington Irving’s Sunnyside, Irvington
Sunnyside, the former home of Washington Irving, was purchased by Irving in 1835 after he came back from extensive European travels. This 10-acre estate along the Hudson River is a mix of architectural elements he clearly admired around the world. Although his classic Legend of Sleepy Hollow was not written in the house itself, Sunnyside visitors do get a chance to walk in the author’s footsteps and explore his personal spaces, including his favorite chair, writing desk, and piano. The home remained in the Irving family until the 1940s. From my guide, I learned fascinating tidbits about my own town’s namesake – did you know he was the first person to describe New York City as “Gotham”? Booklovers will especially appreciate that his library shelves are filled with Irving's originals.
Tours led by costumed historians on Thursdays-Sundays. Reserve tickets at Historic Hudson Valley
Lyndhurst Mansion / Tarrytown
You'd think since I live right down the street from Lyndhurst, it’d be easy for me to take it for granted. But every single time I set foot on the property – which you know happens quite often if you follow me on Instagram! – I am blown away by the beauty of the mansion and the surrounding 67 acres of grounds. The house was built in 1838 as a country house for William Paulding Jr., the former mayor of New York City, and later bought by Jay Gould, another wealthy New Yorker who wanted a country estate close with a view.
Tours: There are several tours to choose from every day except Wednesdays. My favorite is the Inside/Out Tour, which includes the mansion, the gardens, and surrounding buildings, including, yes, the recreation pavilion with a two-lane bowling alley! Check the calendar before you visit, as it's sometimes closed for events – such as the filming of HBO's Gilded Age.
Kykuit, The Rockefeller Estate, Pocantico Hills
This is the tour of all tours! Kykuit was the home to four generations of Rockefellers – yup, more uber-rich New Yorkers who couldn’t live without a country house with a view. Not only does Kykuit overlook the Hudson, but John D. also bought the land across the river so that the family’s pristine view would never be changed! In his words, all he wanted was a “simple house in the country to share with his family.” The estate is not exactly what I would call simple, and to say it is beautiful is an understatement. There are several tours from which to choose, depending on your interest level and available time. Personally, I like the 2-Hour Classic Tour, which covers the gardens, the house, and the family’s infamous art gallery featuring Picassos and Warhols. All tours start at the visitor center at Philipsburg Manor; you will get shuttled up to the main house.
Tours are offered seasonally on most days except Tuesdays. Reserve tickets here
Val-Kill Cottage, Hyde Park
Hyde Park has become synonymous with Franklin Roosevelt since both his childhood home and presidential library are there. But Val-Kill Cottage was Eleanor Roosevelt's personal house, and this tour is all about Eleanor. During my visit, I learned so much about the First Lady’s life from Dani, our fantastic guide. The house was first built as part of Val-Kill Industries, a furniture factory aimed at providing employment during the Great Depression, and then became Eleanor's private retreat during her marriage and her full-time residence after Franklin's death. You can explore the meticulously restored rooms of this modest two-story stucco building, filled with personal photographs, books, and furnishings set up exactly as they were during Eleanor's life, from the cozy living room where she entertained world leaders to the desk where she wrote her famous "My Day" column to the not-at-all grand dining room where you can easily picture a family dinner discussion on how to better the world. Val-Kill is actually the only National Historic Site dedicated to a First Lady.
Tours are available daily but must be reserved in person on the day of your visit. Pro tip: Arrive 30 minutes early to explore the grounds and watch a short film.
Springwood Estate, Hyde Park
The birthplace and lifelong home to Franklin Roosevelt, Springwood is a must for history buffs. Between the house, the presidential library, and grounds, you can totally immerse yourself in the life of our 32nd president. FDR lived here as a boy, and then later, it became his vacation home, where his mother lived there until her death (which was partly the reason Eleanor had her house across the street). During the tour, you can see FDR’s wheelchair, his childhood belongings, and personal letters. Springwood isn't just about the house – the 300-acre grounds include gorgeous gardens and breathtaking views of the Hudson. Don't miss the Presidential Library and Museum, also on the grounds.
Tours: Several options are available daily except Wednesdays. For a deeper dive, try to catch a tour that includes Top Cottage, FDR's personal retreat designed to accommodate his disability. It's not always open, so check the schedule in advance.
Vanderbilt Mansion, Hyde Park
Just a few miles up the road from FDR's Springwood is the Vanderbilt Mansion, another Gilded Age gem along the Hudson. A country house to Frederick and Louise Vanderbilt, The 54-room mansion is an example of how the top 1% lived at the turn of the century. The mansion’s Beaux-Arts architecture was designed by the same firm responsible for Grand Central Terminal. With lots of large, airy rooms, big outdoor columns, and rolling hills with sweeping river views, I can totally picture the fancy soirees that went down here. What sets this particular mansion apart is how well-preserved it is, including its original furnishings .
Tours: The National Park Service offers guided tours of the mansion daily, except for some holidays so be sure to check ahead of time. For the full experience, allow extra time to explore the grounds and gardens on your own.
Ogden Mills Mansion, Staatsburgh
Our last stop, even further up the Hudson, is the home of Ogden Mill and Ruth Livingston. This 79-room country house manages to outdo their neighbors (the Vanderbilts) down the street. Originally constructed in 1832 and expanded in the 1890s, the mansion reveals an over-the-top, lavish lifestyle during the late 19th century. The dining room made my draw drop – wait ‘til you see it. The whole tour group literally gasped when we came into the room and saw the beautiful table set for about ten guests, with the Hudson River framed perfectly between two large-scale oil paintings. Insane! The house remains exactly as the Mills family left it. Everything. The furniture, the artwork, objects like Ming dynasty vases, and thousands of books in the library. The tour guide had to drag us out of there.
Tours are available Thursdays - Sundays. Check New York State Parks for the current schedule and to reserve.
Whose house should I go next? Let me know in the comments below!
Each of these historical houses look most interesting and worth a visit. Thanks for posting and adding interesting details