Manitoga Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Significant dates

Manitoga (Russel Wright Home)
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. National Historic Landmark

Dragon Rock at Manitoga, 2018
Location	Garrison, New York
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
Added to NRHP	1996
Designated NHL	2006

Manitoga is a very special place that used to be the home and studio of a famous designer named Russel Wright (1904–1976). His wife, Mary Small Einstein Wright, also helped create this unique estate. It is located in Garrison, New York, not far from the Bear Mountain Bridge.

Russel Wright named his amazing blend of buildings and nature "Manitoga." This name comes from Algonquin words that mean "place of great spirit." Today, the home, studio, and beautiful woodland garden are known together as Dragon Rock. They show Wright's lasting ideas about good design and living in harmony with nature. He built them between 1941 and 1961.

Manitoga was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1996. This means it is recognized as an important historical site in the United States. In 2006, the U.S. government made it a National Historic Landmark. It is the only one in Putnam County! Manitoga is also part of a program that protects homes and studios of famous artists.

The Story of Manitoga
Visiting Manitoga
Gallery
See also

The Story of Manitoga

Russel and Mary Wright bought the land for Manitoga in 1942. The 75-acre property had been damaged by logging and quarrying (digging for stone). This was common in the Hudson Highlands area a long time ago.

The couple designed the property with sustainability in mind. This was a new idea back then. Wright worked to fix the land. He even changed the path of a mountain stream. He also designed a 30-foot multi-level waterfall. This waterfall helped turn an old quarry pit into a swimming pond. His woodland landscape design included stone steps, terraces, and bridges. He also planted many trees, moss, and native plants.

After Mary passed away in 1952, Russel Wright built his experimental home and studio. He built them right into the rock ledge of the quarry. He wanted the buildings to blend in with nature. The structures have green roofs and large glass walls. These walls offer amazing views of the waterfall and the surrounding landscape.

Visiting Manitoga

Manitoga has 4 miles of walking trails that Russel Wright designed. These trails have many beautiful plants. The trails also connect to the famous Appalachian Trail. This connection is through the Osborne Loop in Hudson Highlands State Park. The outer trails are open to everyone every day until sunset.