Manitoga facts for kids
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Manitoga (Russel Wright Home)
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Dragon Rock at Manitoga, 2018
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| Location | Garrison, New York |
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| Nearest city | Peekskill, New York |
| Area | 75 acres (30 ha) |
| Built | 1941-1961 |
| Architect | Russel and Mary Wright David L. Leavitt |
| Architectural style | Modernist |
| NRHP reference No. | 96001269 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | 1996 |
| Designated NHL | 2006 |
Manitoga is a special place that used to be the home of Russel Wright (1904–1976). He was a famous designer who created many everyday objects. His home is located near Garrison, New York.
Wright called his home Manitoga. This name comes from Algonquin words. It means "place of great spirit." He wanted his home to show how buildings and nature can work together.
Manitoga is more than just a house. It includes a studio and a beautiful woodland garden. It shows Wright's ideas about good design. It also teaches us about living in harmony with nature.
This property is very important. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1996. In 2006, it became a National Historic Landmark. This means it's a very special historical site in the United States. Manitoga is one of the few modern homes in New York State that you can visit.
Contents
The History of Manitoga
How Russel Wright Created Manitoga
Russel Wright and his wife, Mary, bought the land in 1942. The area was about 75 acres (30 hectares). Before they bought it, the land was damaged. People had cut down many trees and dug up rocks in a quarry. This was common in the Hudson Highlands area.
The Wrights wanted to fix the land. They designed the property with sustainability in mind. This means they thought about how to use resources wisely. They wanted to protect the environment. This idea was not very common back then.
Russel Wright worked hard to bring the land back to life. He changed the path of a mountain stream. He also designed a 30-foot (9-meter) waterfall. This waterfall turned an old quarry pit into a swimming pond. He used natural materials like stones, trees, and moss. He also added stone steps, terraces, and bridges.
Building the Home and Studio
Mary Wright passed away in 1952. After that, Russel Wright built his unique home and studio. He built them right into the rock of the quarry. He wanted the buildings to blend in with nature.
The structures have special green roofs. These roofs are covered with plants. The buildings also have parts built right into the walls. Large glass windows offer amazing views. You can see the waterfall and the beautiful landscape from inside.
Visiting Manitoga Today
Explore the Trails
Manitoga has about 4 miles (6.4 kilometers) of walking trails. Russel Wright designed these trails himself. He also planted many different plants along the paths.
The trails connect to the famous Appalachian Trail. This trail runs along Canada Hill in Hudson Highlands State Park. You can explore the outer trails every day until sunset. A small donation is suggested to help keep the park beautiful.
Take a Guided Tour
You can take a guided tour of the house and landscape. These tours are available from May to early November. They happen on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays. Tours start at 11 AM and 1:30 PM. You need to make a reservation to join a tour.
There are also other tour options. You can take tours led by artists. Or you can choose longer tours. These longer tours give you extra time to draw, paint, or take photos. There are even sunset tours with drinks!
Gallery
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The house
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The pond
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The studio
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Studio desk
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Dining room
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Kitchen
Images for kids
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Dragon Rock studio overlooking the quarry pond
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American Modern pottery in chartreuse
