Beyond the Mansion: A Visual Tour of Exquisite Kykuit Estate Gardens

The Gilded Age was a remarkable time in American history characterized by tremendous wealth and lavish lifestyles. As America transformed into an industrial powerhouse, wealthy families displayed their affluence through the construction of grand mansions. These homes, are known for their incredible architecture and opulent interiors but the appeal of Gilded Age mansions extended beyond.....into the outdoors.

The meticulously designed outdoor spaces played a crucial role in the lifestyle of their owners. Lavish gardens, often crafted by skilled horticulturists and architects, featured Italianate terraces, beautiful fountains, and expansive lawns ideal for hosting extravagant gatherings.

The first time I stepped into such outdoors was at the gardens of the Kykuit mansion. The grandeur and beauty of these gardens took my breath away. I wanted to remain in that space forever as you could feel and see the amount of work that went into designing them, but sadly, the tour only lasted so long.

The Kykuit estate itself was build for John D. Rockefeller, oil tycoon and the patriarch of The Rockefeller family. The mansion is an incredible piece of architecture and I cannot wait to talk about it, but today I want to highlight the land that this mansion proudly stands on.

The task of landscaping the land and gardens was originally assigned to Olmstead Brothers firm but Rockefeller senior was not happy with their work. He decided to take over the control of the design himself, transplanting whole mature trees, designing lookouts and scenic winding roads.

In 1906, the further design of Kykuit's grounds was done by architect William Welles Bosworth. He transformed this site overlooking Hudson into a lush Beaux-Arts style gardens filled with greenery, fountains, pavilions and terrace gardens.

Bosworth's work on this space is considered some of his best and has been meticulously preserved to this day.

The enchanting gardens of Kykuit are now accessible to the public, set to reveal their stories and beauty. Visit, discover, and enjoy the timeless charm of this remarkable estate and let it captivate you as it did for me.