Events - Event View

Step back in time and explore the lavish interior finishes, decorative arts, fine art, and furniture of the Lyndhurst Manor.

You’ll see the first floor of the mansion, including the parlor, filled with furniture designed by architect A.J. Davis, and the sumptuous Civil War-era dining room. The second floor centers around the opulent Grand Art Gallery, hung with an original collection of European paintings brought to Lyndhurst by the Gould family. Impressive Tiffany stained-glass windows adorn the gallery and the adjacent bedrooms. Please note there is a 25-step staircase.

The mansion was designed in 1838 by architect Alexander Jackson Davis for William Paulding Jr. in a romantic Gothic Revival style. Davis designed interior finishes, furniture, and landscape, as well as the building. Completed in 1842, it was first called ‘Knoll’ but was derided by critics for its revolutionary style.

Second owner George Merritt rehires original architect Davis to double the mansion in size between 1864 to 1867, to the house that visitors see today. While the Pauldings designed and utilized ‘Knoll’ as a summer retirement villa, Merritt commissions Davis to build him a spacious full-time residence worthy of a wealthy merchant of status. Merritt changes the name to “Lyndenhurst” and eventually “Lyndhurst.”

Wall Street tycoon Jay Gould purchased Lyndhurst in 1880 as a seasonal residence. Gould redoes some of the interior décor by commissioning furniture from the Herter Brothers, windows from Louis Comfort Tiffany, and paintings from the Knoedler Gallery. After Jay Gould’s death, his eldest daughter takes control and limits her changes to the mansion to interior updating and finishes, including the addition of electricity and updating bathrooms. When her younger sister purchases the estate, she also follows in her sister’s footsteps and changes little but her childhood bedroom and décor.

*Optional Lunch: Pay-On-Your-Own
After the tour, we’ll head to a restaurant near the Tarrytown train station by the Tarrytown Marina, for an optional late lunch to continue the conversation about the walking tour and enjoy each other’s company. Please plan to bring cash to cover your meal.

Transportation (additional expense)

We will meet at Grand Central Station in front of the information booth approximately 20 minutes before departure for the 10:53 am train. Upon arrival, we will take an Uber to Lyndhurst Mansion, which is about a 15-minute ride. Our group will gather in the mansion entryway 30 minutes before our scheduled 12:30 PM guided tour. If the weather permits, we can enjoy time exploring the grounds following the tour.

*The train, Uber, and lunch will be at your expense.

*Members: please make sure you are logged in with your Women's Connection Password to receive the member discount.

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