Wave Hill facts for kids
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Wave Hill
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Wave Hill House
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 Location in New York City
Location in New York
Location in the United States
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| Location | West 249th Street and Independence Avenue |
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| Area | 20.9 acres (8.5 ha) |
| Built | 1843 |
| Architect | Multiple |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival, Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 83001646 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | September 9, 1983 |
Wave Hill is a beautiful 28-acre estate located in the Riverdale area of the Bronx, New York City. It's a special place with public gardens and a cultural center. You can find it on slopes that look out over the Hudson River, with amazing views of the New Jersey Palisades across the water.
This estate has two main houses and a botanical garden, which is like a living museum of plants. The oldest part of the main house, called Wave Hill House, was built in 1843. Another house, Glyndor House, was built in 1927 and has several rooms used as an art gallery. There's also the Perkins Visitor Center, which used to be a garage, and now has a gift shop and an information desk.
Many famous people lived or stayed at Wave Hill in the late 1800s and early 1900s. In 1960, the estate was given to the City of New York. Today, Wave Hill is a popular cultural center and garden. Besides art shows, it also hosts concerts in Armor Hall. Wave Hill is recognized as a historic place and a New York City designated landmark.
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History of Wave Hill Estate
The original Wave Hill House was a gray stone mansion built in 1843 by a lawyer named William Lewis Morris. Later, from 1866 to 1903, a publisher named William Henry Appleton owned it. He made the house bigger several times and added greenhouses and gardens.
Famous Visitors and Residents
During Appleton's time, the famous scientist Thomas Henry Huxley visited the house. He was important in helping to share Charles Darwin's ideas about evolution with the public.
The family of Theodore Roosevelt, who later became a U.S. President, rented Wave Hill during the summers of 1870 and 1871. The famous writer Mark Twain also leased the house from 1901 to 1903.
In 1903, George Walbridge Perkins, a business partner of J. P. Morgan, bought Wave Hill. He also bought nearby land, including Glyndor, another house built in 1888. Glyndor later burned down and was rebuilt in 1927. In 1910, Perkins added an underground building for fun activities, which even had a bowling alley!
Perkins did a lot of work on the landscape. He leased Wave Hill House to Bashford Dean, an expert on fish from the American Museum of Natural History. Dean added a stone part to the building to create his own private museum, called Armor Hall.
Other well-known people who lived at the estate included the conductor Arturo Toscanini (from 1942 to 1945) and important members of the British team at the United Nations (from 1950 to 1956).
Wave Hill Becomes a Public Garden
In 1960, the Perkins-Freeman family gave Wave Hill to the City of New York. This was suggested by Robert Moses, a well-known city planner. In 1983, the estate was added to the list of the National Register of Historic Places. Before 1987, it was known as Perkins Garden. That year, Parks Commissioner Henry Stern officially renamed it Wave Hill.
Around 65,000 people visit Wave Hill each year, making it one of the most popular spots in Riverdale.
Exploring Wave Hill's Gardens
Wave Hill's beautiful gardens feature many different types of plants. Here are some of the special garden areas:
- The T. H. Everett Alpine House: This house is named after Thomas H. Everett, who helped save Wave Hill and make it a New York City Landmark.
- Herb and Dry Gardens: These gardens feature plants that thrive in dry conditions or are used for cooking and medicine.
- Aquatic & Monocot Garden: This area showcases plants that grow in water and a specific type of plant called monocots.
- Bee hives in the woodland area: You can find active bee hives helping to pollinate the plants.
- The Herbert & Hyonja Abrons Woodland: This is a 10-acre forest with a path that goes around the edge of the property.
- The Marco Polo Stufano Conservatory: This large greenhouse has different rooms for plants from various climates, including a cactus room, a tropical room, and a palm room.
- The Perennial Flower Garden: This garden has flowers that come back year after year.
- Pergola and vistas: The pergola offers amazing views of the Hudson River and the New Jersey Palisades.
- Special Collections: These include the Shade Border, Elliptical Garden, and Conifer Slope, each with unique plants.
- Wild Garden: This area is designed to look more natural and untamed.
Wave Hill's gardens are also a great place for birdwatching in New York City. So far, 127 different kinds of birds have been seen there, including ruby-throated hummingbirds, great blue herons, and even bald eagles! The estate is also next to Riverdale Park.
Programs and Activities
Wave Hill offers many different programs focused on plants, art, and learning.
Art Exhibitions
Visitors can see art exhibitions in Glyndor House, which has Wave Hill’s art galleries. Artworks are also displayed in other spots around the grounds. These shows often feature art inspired by Wave Hill or nature. New exhibitions are presented throughout the year.
Winter Workspace Program
Wave Hill also has a Winter Workspace program. Artists come to Glyndor House for six to eight weeks from January to April to work on their art. They can use the gardens and resources of the estate for their projects. They also share their work with the public during open studio events.
The Shop at Wave Hill
The Shop is located in the Perkins Visitors Center. It sells gifts from local artists, as well as items inspired by nature and handmade crafts. It's a great place to find a unique souvenir.
Cafe and Terrace
The Cafe is inside the historic Wave Hill House. It offers a variety of hot and cold foods. You can eat indoors or enjoy your meal on the Kate French Terrace, which is located behind Wave Hill House and offers lovely views.
Images for kids
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The cactus and succulent collection
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Part of the Abrons Woodland path
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A view with carnivorous plants in the foreground
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Glyndor House
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Wave Hill's Pergola overlooking the Hudson River
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Wave Hill's Woodlands in the spring, with chionodoxa blooming.
See also
In Spanish: Wave Hill para niños
