Wilderstein facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Wilderstein
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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The Wilderstein Mansion
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 Location in New York
Location in the United States
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| Location | 330 Morton Road, Rhinebeck, NY |
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| Built | 1852–53 1888 |
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| Architectural style | Queen Anne |
| Part of | Hudson River Historic District (ID90002219) |
| Designated CP | December 14, 1990 |
Wilderstein is a beautiful old house from the 1800s. It sits right by the Hudson River in Rhinebeck, New York. Today, it's a special museum where you can learn about history. It's known for its unique Queen Anne style.
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The Story of Wilderstein
Wilderstein was once part of a much larger estate called Wildercliff. In 1852, a man named Thomas Suckley bought 32 acres of land from the Wildercliff estate. This land was right by the Hudson River.
Thomas Suckley and his wife, Catherine, loved the beautiful views. They thought it was the perfect spot for their new home. They named their new property "Wilderstein," which means "wild stone" in German. This name was chosen because an old American Indian carving on a rock was found nearby.
The Suckley Family Home
Three generations of the Suckley family lived in the Wilderstein mansion. The last family member to live there was Daisy Suckley. She was a cousin of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Daisy was famous for training President Roosevelt's dog, Fala.
Daisy Suckley lived in the mansion until she passed away in 1991. She was almost 100 years old! Wilderstein is only about nine miles from President Roosevelt's home, Springwood.
How the Mansion Changed
The first house built on the Wilderstein property was an Italianate villa. It was designed by an architect named John Warren Ritch. Construction started in December 1852 and finished in the fall of 1853.
A New Look in 1888
In 1888, Thomas Suckley's son, Robert Bowne Suckley, and his wife, Elizabeth, decided to make big changes. They hired an architect named Arnout Cannon to remodel and enlarge the house. The house's style was changed to the fancy Queen Anne style.
Many new parts were added to the house. These included a third floor, a tall circular tower, and a covered entrance for carriages called a porte-cochère. A verandah, which is like a long porch, was also added. The inside of the house was decorated by Joseph Burr Tiffany. He was a cousin of the famous artist Louis Comfort Tiffany. The rooms on the first floor were designed in the Aesthetic Movement style. They used beautiful materials like mahogany wood, leather, and stained glass.
The Gardens and Grounds
At the same time the house was being changed, the gardens were also redesigned. A landscape architect named Calvert Vaux created a beautiful new look for the estate. He designed a network of paths and trails. He also carefully placed special trees and shrubs.
Vaux added other buildings to the grounds, too. These included a carriage house, a gate lodge, and a potting shed. Gazebos and garden seats were placed in spots with the best views.
Keeping Wilderstein Special
Daisy Suckley was very important in saving Wilderstein. She helped create Wilderstein Preservation, which is a group that works to protect the house. Daisy opened the house to the public for the first time in 1984.
This group is a non-profit organization. This means they rely on donations to keep Wilderstein going. Over the years, many parts of the mansion have been repaired and restored. For example, the tower was fixed in 1994, and the main roof was replaced in 1997. Other repairs have included the siding, the porte-cochère, and the verandah.
Where to Find Wilderstein
Wilderstein is located at 330 Morton Road, Rhinebeck, NY 12572. It is part of the Hudson River Historic District. It is also recognized as a National Historic Landmark, which means it's a very important historical place.
See also
In Spanish: Wilderstein para niños
