Boscobel (mansion) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Boscobel House and Gardens
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Boscobel front facade, 2017
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 Location in New York
Location in the United States
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| Location | Garrison, New York |
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| Nearest city | Beacon |
| Area | 45 acres (18 ha) |
| Built | 1804-1808 |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 77000971 |
| Added to NRHP | 1977 |
Boscobel House and Gardens is a special historic house in Garrison, New York. It sits high above the beautiful Hudson River. The house was built in the early 1800s for a man named States Dyckman.
Boscobel is a great example of the Federal style of American architecture. Inside, it has many decorative items and furniture. These pieces show what homes looked like during the Federal period.
The house was first built in Montrose, New York. In the 1950s, people wanted to save it from being torn down. So, they moved it about 15 miles up the river. Now, it is near Cold Spring, in Putnam County.
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About Boscobel House
Boscobel House is known for its beautiful front. It has a delicate and fancy design. Look closely at the second-story balcony. You'll see carved wooden decorations that look like draped fabric with tassels and bows. This is very unique for a Federal style building.
Almost one-third of the front of the house is made of glass. The windows are set back a little. The wooden siding on the front is fitted very closely. This makes it look like the house is made of stone.
When the house was moved, some changes were made. A new back entrance and stairway were added in 1958. This was needed for fire safety. A room in the basement was also turned into a visitors' bathroom.
Next to the house, there is a garden with sculptures. It has ten bronze statues of famous Hudson River School artists. These sculptures were given by the Newington-Cropsey Foundation. Boscobel was chosen because it is in the Hudson Highlands. This area was a favorite spot for these painters.
History of Boscobel
Building the House
States Dyckman came from early Dutch families in Manhattan. He worked for the British Army during the American Revolution. He kept track of money for the army. In 1779, he went to England to help with an investigation. He stayed there for ten years.
While in London, Dyckman met many rich people. He learned to like fancy things, especially the new style of buildings by Robert Adam. He bought many beautiful items for his home. These included a special Wedgwood dinner set. He sent them back to America.
Dyckman wanted to build a large estate on 250 acres of land near Montrose. He named it Boscobel. This name might come from an English house called Boscobel House. It means "pretty woodland" in Italian. He wanted to be a "well-off farmer" who enjoyed nice things.
He married Elizabeth Corne in 1794. But soon, he had money problems. The money he got from Sir William Erskine stopped after Erskine died. Dyckman also spent a lot and gave gifts to his family.
Dyckman went back to London in 1799. He hoped to fix his money problems. He stayed for three years. He was able to get his money from the Erskines again. He also got a good deal from others he had helped in the investigation.
In 1803, Dyckman returned to the United States. He was richer but also sick. He started building the house he had dreamed of. We don't know who the architect was. But William Vermilye helped manage the building work. Dyckman died in 1806, before the house was finished. His wife completed it, and she and their son moved in by 1808.
Saving and Restoring Boscobel
Dyckman's family owned the house until 1920. For the next 35 years, the house was almost torn down many times. In 1955, a group called Friends of Boscobel saved it. A builder was going to knock it down for only $35.
The Friends of Boscobel decided to move the house. They used old photos to help rebuild it correctly. A woman named Lila Acheson Wallace, who started Reader's Digest, gave money to help. She later helped with the landscaping and decorating inside.
The new grounds were designed by Richard K. Webel. He made them look like a "country house" from the early 1900s. Large, grown trees were planted. This made it seem like the house had always been there.
Boscobel was officially reopened on May 21, 1961. The governor of New York, Nelson Rockefeller, was there. He called it "one of the most beautiful homes ever built in America."
Later, new papers from States Dyckman were found. These papers showed his true tastes. So, in 1977, the house was closed for six months. It was redecorated to match what Dyckman would have liked. It opened again that summer and everyone loved it.
Visiting Boscobel
Boscobel House is open most days from April to December. It is closed on Tuesdays and holidays. On the second Tuesday of each month, artists can visit for free. They can paint or sketch on the grounds. Visitors are also welcome to have picnics there.
Until 2021, the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival held plays under a tent at Boscobel during the summer.
Images for kids
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Boscobel front facade, 2017
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Front entrance road (2007)
