Hubbry Logo
Ferncliff FarmFerncliff FarmMain
Open search
Ferncliff Farm
Community hub
Ferncliff Farm
logo
7 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Ferncliff Farm
Ferncliff Farm
Ferncliff Farm
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Ferncliff Farm (or Ferncliff) was an estate established in the mid 19th century by William Backhouse Astor Jr. (1829–1892) in Rhinebeck, New York. Not far from his mother's estate of Rokeby, where he had spent summers, Ferncliff was a working farm with dairy and poultry operations, as well as stables where he bred horses. In 1902, his son and heir John Jacob Astor IV commissioned Stanford White to design a large sports pavilion (called the "Ferncliff Casino"), which included one of the first indoor pools in the United States. The sports pavilion was later converted into a residence (called "Astor Courts") for his son, Vincent Astor.

After the death of Vincent Astor, the 2,800 acre estate was broken up. Some parcels (such as the gatehouse, staff quarters, teahouse and dairy barns) became private homes. Two hundred acres were donated for the founding of the Ferncliff Forest nature preserve. An additional donation of land led to the establishment of a nursing home and rehabilitation center on the former estate property.[1]

Background

[edit]

William Backhouse Astor Jr. was the son of William Backhouse Astor Sr. (1792–1875) and his wife, Margaret Rebecca Armstrong (1800–1872). His mother was the daughter of Senator John Armstrong Jr. and Alida Livingston Armstrong, and she had grown up at the Armstrong estate (La Bergerie) at Barrytown in Dutchess County, New York.

William Jr. was born in 1829. His parents purchased his mother's childhood home from her widowed father in 1836. Margaret renamed the estate Rokeby, as the area around the Mudder Kill[2] reminded her of the glen in Sir Walter Scott's poem of that name. Rokeby became the family's summer home. Upon the death of William Sr. in 1875, Rokeby passed to Margaret Ward Chanler, daughter of William Jr.'s late sister Emily.

History

[edit]
William B. Astor Jr.'s Ferncliff mansion, shown c. 1910 and demolished during the 1940s

The area that became Ferncliff was first inhabited by the Wawyachtonoc, a tribe of the Mahican confederation, known locally as the Sepasco Indians, after Lake Sepasco. By the early 1800s, the land was occupied by farms.

Around 1853, William Jr. purchased several small farms a few miles south of Rokeby. He then established Ferncliff Farm, where he built an Italianate mansion overlooking the Hudson River on River Road in Rhinebeck. He continued to purchase adjoining properties, and the estate eventually had a mile and a half of Hudson River frontage. At Ferncliff, he bred racing and trotting horses.[3] His son, John Jacob Astor IV, was born at Ferncliff in 1864. Upon the death of William Jr. in 1892, John Jacob IV inherited the Ferncliff property.

Thomas H. Suckley ("Sook-lee") was the son of George and Catherine Rutsen Suckley. His father was a wealthy merchant in New York City,[4] while Thomas became a property developer in Manhattan. His mother, Catherine was the daughter of John Rutsen, whose maternal grandfather was Gilbert Livingston, son of Robert Livingston, Lord of Livingston Manor. Suckley inherited from his mother 125 acres of land at Mt. Rutsen, on the north of the village of Rhinebeck. In 1876, he donated the land at Mt. Rutsen to the New York Methodist Conference to establish a retirement community for ministers.[5] By 1900, the farm that supported the retreat was failing, and the Methodist Conference sold 106 acres to John Jacob Astor IV. Apart from operating a working dairy and poultry farm, Astor maintained his father's stables, but switched to breeding hackney and carriage horses.[3]

The indoor tennis court

In 1902, John Jacob IV commissioned New York architect Stanford White of McKim, Mead & White to design the Ferncliff Casino (the term "casino" referring to a sports pavilion) for entertaining guests. (It was also known as "Tennis House".) The Beaux-Arts style building was completed 1904. It included indoor tennis and squash courts, a bowling alley, an indoor swimming pool, a shooting range, guestrooms and was close to a nearby boathouse on the river.[6] Having completed work on the sports pavilion, White then started work on improvements to the mansion.

Rhinecliff train station building

In the early twentieth century, a railroad station was built at Rhinecliff, reportedly due to the influence of John Jacob IV, a major stockholder in the New York Central Railroad.[7] It is a contributing property to the Hudson River Historic District. There was in addition, a small private station at Fernwood on the so-called "Hucklebush" Line between Rhinecliff and Hartford, Connecticut, whose telegraph station was designated "A".[8]

By the time of John Jacob IV's death in the sinking of the Titanic in 1912, the Ferncliff estate had grown to 2,800 acres[9] of apple orchards, cattle and dairy operations, and gardens. The property passed to his elder son, Vincent Astor. In 1926, Vincent's sister, Ava, married Serge Obolensky. Vincent gave her "Marienruh", the former Ehlers estate at Clifton Point and a mansion designed by Mott B. Schmidt.[10]

During the 1940s, the mansion originally built by William Jr. was demolished. It was replaced in 1948 with a neoclassical brick folly called the "teahouse", to which the Astors would resort by miniature railroad. The Ferncliff Casino sports pavilion was renovated and converted into a 22,697 sq ft (2,108.6 m2) residence. It was renamed "Astor Courts", the name Stanford White used. The squash courts were converted to a library.

Recent decades

[edit]

After Vincent Astor's death in 1959, Ferncliff was split into several portions. Some parcels were sold, while others were the subject of large charitable donations:

  • In 1964, Vincent Astor's widow, Brooke Astor, donated about 190 acres at Mt. Rusten to the Rhinebeck chapter of Rotary International for a forest preserve and game refuge, with the stipulation that it must remain "forever wild". The property was later transferred to Ferncliff Forest, Inc., a non-profit organization.[11]
  • About 1963, Mrs. Astor indicated that she wished to donate the property to Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York. Astor Courts (189 River Road) became a nursing home run by the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm. The original home was established in 1965. A new, more modern facility elsewhere on the property off River Road was completed in 1973. During the time that Ferncliff Nursing Home was operated by the Carmelites, it served over 328 elderly residents and employed over 425 people.[12] Ferncliff Nursing Home continues to operate on a remaining thirty-six acres, now under Archcare, the healthcare agency of the Archdiocese of New York. Around 2004, the Astor Courts site returned to private ownership. It was purchased and restored by real estate developer Arthur Seelbinder and his wife, television producer Kathleen Hammer. In 2010, the wedding of Chelsea Clinton and Marc Mezvinsky was held there.
  • A Greek Revival farmhouse (167 River Road), which once housed members of the estate staff, is now a private home.[13]
  • In 2000, the "teahouse" (195 River Road) was expanded and converted into a private residence. In 2013, it was purchased and renovated by businessman Robert Duffy.[14]
  • Photographer Annie Leibovitz purchased 220 acres that included the dairy barns completed in 1917, which she subsequently renovated.[15]
  • The gatehouse designed by Louis Augustus Ehlers marked the entrance to William Jr.'s mansion. It is now a private home.[16]
  • After Ava Astor Obolensky's death in 1956, the Marienruh property was used as a Christian youth camp, a home for unwed mothers, a drug rehab center, and an events space. It was privately purchased in 2010 and underwent restoration.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Ferncliff Farm

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Ferncliff Farm was a historic estate and working farm in Rhinebeck, New York, established in 1853 by William Backhouse Astor Jr. through the acquisition of local properties, which expanded over time into a 2,800-acre property featuring dairy and poultry operations, stables, and a Victorian mansion with turrets, sprawling porches, and views of the Hudson River. The estate passed through the , with inheriting it in 1892 and building an athletic facility there in 1903, before his death on the Titanic in 1912; his son, William Vincent Astor, took ownership and demolished the original mansion in the late 1940s at the request of his wife, Minnie Cushing, replacing it with the modern Astor Courts residence. After Vincent's death in 1959, his wife inherited the property and, in 1964, donated 190 acres of forested land to the Rhinebeck Rotary Club to create a public preserve and game refuge, stipulated to remain "forever wild." Today, this preserved portion, known as Ferncliff Forest, spans 200 acres of old-growth deciduous and eastern hemlock forest in the Hudson Valley, offering 12 miles of hiking trails, a fire tower with panoramic views installed in 2007, and remnants of its past such as foundations, wells, cisterns, and a historic Methodist retreat from 1878. Managed by Ferncliff Forest, Inc., it serves as a protected natural area and recreational site, recognized as the second-best old-growth forest in the Hudson Valley. The remaining estate lands, including Astor Courts, continue as private property, notably hosting high-profile events such as Chelsea Clinton's 2010 wedding.

Overview

Establishment and Location

Ferncliff Farm was established around 1853 by (1829–1892), a member of the prominent whose wealth derived from fur trading and ventures. The estate is situated in northern Rhinebeck, , encompassing scenic terrain. The property's location along River Road provided direct proximity to the , offering picturesque views and supporting agricultural uses through its fertile riverfront setting. It lies a few miles south of the Rokeby estate, where Astor Jr.'s mother, Rebecca Armstrong, had spent her youth, influencing his choice of site for a familial retreat. Initially acquired as a smaller plot through the purchase of several modest farms, the land emphasized the area's natural advantages for both scenic enjoyment and practical farming. From its inception, Ferncliff Farm served as a estate blending residential luxury with operational , functioning as a private family haven amid working farmlands. Early activities included dairy production, with raised for and beef, alongside equestrian pursuits such as , which capitalized on the estate's expansive pastures and river-adjacent meadows. These elements underscored its role as a self-sustaining retreat in the Hudson Valley's idyllic landscape.

Historical Significance

Ferncliff Farm exemplified the grand estates of 19th-century American elites, embodying the Gilded Age's opulence and the Astor family's transition from Manhattan real estate fortunes to expansive rural retreats along the Hudson River. Established in the mid-1850s by William Backhouse Astor Jr., the property consolidated several local farms into a vast working estate, reflecting the era's trend among New York's wealthiest families to seek countryside escapes that combined leisure, agriculture, and social prestige. The estate played a pivotal role in elevating Rhinebeck as a favored enclave for affluent New Yorkers during the , drawing other elite families and stimulating local economic activity through employment in estate operations and support for surrounding farming communities. By absorbing smaller properties and developing extensive agricultural facilities, including and operations, Ferncliff influenced the regional economy, providing jobs and integrating local labor into the Astors' broader practices. Notably, Ferncliff served as the birthplace of on July 13, 1864, the first son of and Caroline Webster Schermerhorn Astor, who later became a prominent developer and one of the wealthiest men of his time. As part of the Astor dynasty's interconnected holdings, including the nearby Rokeby estate, Ferncliff contributed to the long-term preservation of the region's landscapes by maintaining large tracts of undeveloped land, setting a precedent for future conservation initiatives in the area.

Early History

Founding and Expansion

Ferncliff Farm was established in 1853 by , the son of wealthy real estate magnate William B. Astor Sr., through the acquisition of several small farms in northern Rhinebeck, New York. The initial purchase encompassed approximately 100 acres of scrub land bordering River Road along the Hudson, selected partly due to familial ties—his mother, Margaret Alida Armstrong, had grown up at the nearby Rokeby estate a few miles north. Under Astor Jr.'s direction, the estate expanded through ongoing land acquisitions in the mid- to late , incorporating adjacent properties eastward toward Old Post Road and Route 9 to enhance agricultural viability and scenic integration with the landscape. By the 1890s, these efforts had significantly increased the holdings, laying the foundation for the estate's growth to nearly 3,000 acres in subsequent generations, though precise boundaries under Astor Jr. focused on consolidating farmland for operational efficiency. Early farming operations emphasized diversified agriculture suited to the Hudson Valley's fertile soils, including and production alongside rearing. Stables were established for , with Astor Jr. focusing on racehorses reflective of the era's equestrian interests among elite landowners. These activities incorporated 19th-century innovations such as and improved feed management to boost productivity, aligning with broader trends in American scientific farming. In the 1850s, Astor Jr. constructed the original Italianate overlooking the , featuring characteristic turrets, expansive porches, and a layout designed for family living amid agricultural oversight. The marble-clad structure provided river views and served as the estate's administrative hub, with basic wings for reception, private quarters, and oversight of farm activities. The development of Ferncliff was closely integrated with the adjacent Rokeby estate through shared Astor-Armstrong family networks, facilitating resource exchanges such as labor and equipment in the mid-19th century.

Astor Family Involvement

William Backhouse Astor Jr. acquired the initial parcels of land that would become Ferncliff Farm around 1853, consolidating several small farms in Rhinebeck, New York, into a burgeoning estate that served as a primary family residence. Under his oversight, the property expanded to include productive agricultural operations, such as dairy and poultry farming, which supported the estate's self-sufficiency and provided a rural retreat from the family's urban life in New York City. Astor commissioned the construction of the main Victorian mansion in the 1850s, where family milestones unfolded, including the birth of his son, John Jacob Astor IV, on July 13, 1864. The estate hosted various family gatherings and seasonal visits, reflecting Astor's vision of Ferncliff as a harmonious blend of leisure and productivity until his death in 1892. Following William B. Astor Jr.'s passing, the estate passed to his son, , who inherited in 1892 and continued its management as a working farm while enhancing its recreational amenities. Astor IV expanded the property's holdings, including the purchase of 106 acres from the Methodist Conference in 1900 for $5,500, and maintained agricultural oversight amid the estate's growth to approximately 2,800 acres by the early . In 1902, he commissioned architect to design a Beaux-Arts sporting , known as the , which featured one of the first indoor pools in the United States, an indoor tennis court, and luxurious spaces for social entertainment, costing about $1 million (equivalent to roughly $22 million today). These additions underscored Astor IV's commitment to transforming into a premier venue for family leisure and elite gatherings. John Jacob Astor IV's death aboard the RMS Titanic on April 15, 1912, during its maiden voyage, marked a pivotal transition for the estate, which he left to his son, William Vincent Astor. Vincent Astor, upon inheriting Ferncliff in 1912, preserved its role as a cherished family retreat, overseeing further land acquisitions that solidified the estate's expansive footprint along the Hudson River. He utilized the property for private family escapes and continued the tradition of agricultural management, ensuring Ferncliff remained a symbol of Astor legacy through the mid-20th century. Later, Brooke Astor, Vincent's widow, reflected on Ferncliff's deep ties to the family's history in her memoirs, evoking its enduring place in Astor lore as a site of generational continuity and rural idyll.

Architectural Development

Key Structures

The original mansion at Ferncliff Farm, constructed in 1853 by William Backhouse Astor Jr., served as the estate's central residence for the family, including his wife Caroline "Lina" Schermerhorn Astor and their children. This Victorian-style building featured turrets, sprawling porches, and a multi-story design oriented toward the Hudson River, offering views of the river and Catskill Mountains. The expansion of the estate under William B. Astor Jr. in the mid-19th century enabled the development of this mansion along with early supporting facilities. In 1902, commissioned architect of to build the Ferncliff Casino, a Beaux-Arts pavilion functioning as both a guest house and recreational facility for social gatherings, completed in 1904. Spanning approximately 40,000 square feet and modeled after the Grand Trianon at Versailles, it included an indoor , clay tennis courts, bowling alley, squash courts, and a barber shop to accommodate leisure activities for family and guests. Supporting structures complemented the estate's operations, including a at the main entrance to control access, staff quarters to house employees, a for informal social use, and dairy barns serving as stables for and equestrian needs. These buildings were positioned strategically around the property to support daily functions, with the near River Road, staff quarters adjacent to service areas, and the and stables amid the agricultural zones. The overall estate layout integrated these structures through a network of private roads that wound through landscaped gardens, woodlands, and open fields, facilitating efficient movement and enhancing the property's aesthetic cohesion across its 2,800 acres.

Design Influences

The original mansion at Ferncliff Farm exemplified the Italianate style prevalent in mid-19th-century American country estates, drawing inspiration from European villas of the period adapted to rural settings. This approach emphasized symmetrical facades, low-pitched roofs, and projecting porches that framed panoramic views of the and , harmonizing the built environment with the surrounding topography. Turrets and expansive verandas further enhanced the mansion's integration with the landscape, providing shaded outdoor spaces that capitalized on the site's natural elevation and vistas. In contrast, the Ferncliff Casino, commissioned by in 1902 and designed by architect of , embodied Renaissance Revival influences within the broader Beaux-Arts framework characteristic of opulence. White incorporated classical motifs such as Corinthian columns, arched openings, and ornate pediments, evoking the grandeur of Italian palazzos and French châteaux while serving as a multifunctional pavilion for social and recreational pursuits. This design reflected the era's penchant for lavish, symmetrical compositions that blended formality with leisure, modeled in part on the Grand Trianon at Versailles to underscore the Astors' elite status. The estate's landscape design seamlessly wove formal elements with naturalistic features, promoting a integration that echoed the Hudson River School's romantic portrayal of the American wilderness. Wooded tracts of preserved the site's ecological character, while sinuous paths and riverfront trails facilitated access to sweeping views of the and distant mountains, fostering a sense of sublime harmony between cultivated grounds and untamed nature. These arrangements not only enhanced aesthetic appeal but also supported the estate's dual role as a private retreat and working , with strategic clearings allowing for efficient oversight of agricultural activities.

Mid-20th Century Transformations

Demolition and Subdivision

In the late 1940s, the original Victorian mansion at Ferncliff Farm, constructed in 1853 by William Backhouse Astor Jr., was demolished. The decision was influenced by high maintenance costs associated with the aging structure, which had become increasingly burdensome in the post-World War II era, when labor shortages and rising operational expenses made sustaining large Gilded Age estates challenging across the Hudson Valley. Additionally, Vincent Astor's second wife, Minnie Cushing Astor—who he had married in 1940—expressed strong disapproval of the mansion, describing it as an outdated "firetrap" and a painful reminder of her husband's previous marriage. To replace the demolished mansion and provide a more suitable family residence, oversaw the conversion of the estate's existing recreational pavilion—known as the Ferncliff Casino or tennis house—into a new modernist home called Astor Courts in 1948. Originally designed in 1902 by the firm as a Beaux-Arts style indoor and entertainment space for , the structure was renovated to serve as a streamlined, functional dwelling that aligned with mid-20th-century tastes and the couple's preferences for simplicity. This adaptation allowed the to continue using the core property without the encumbrances of the old mansion. Under Vincent Astor's stewardship, which began after inheriting the estate in 1912 following his father's death on the Titanic, the property—spanning 2,800 acres by 1940—underwent initial steps toward subdivision in the through the sale of select peripheral parcels. These transactions marked an early shift from expansive estate management to more fragmented land use, reflecting broader economic pressures and changing priorities, though the core holdings remained largely intact until after his death in 1959. The transformations had varied impacts on Ferncliff's remaining structures. While the main mansion and associated Victorian-era buildings were lost to demolition, key outbuildings like the Ferncliff Casino were preserved through as Astor Courts, maintaining their architectural significance. Other ancillary features, such as gatehouses and farm-related buildings, endured with minimal alteration, supporting ongoing estate operations, whereas less essential elements faced neglect or removal amid the reconfiguration.

Inheritance and Philanthropy

Upon the death of on February 3, 1959, Ferncliff Farm passed to his widow, , as part of his personal estate, which he had instructed be directed toward philanthropic endeavors. The overall estate was valued at approximately $127 million, including a $60 million trust fund and other assets that inherited outright, while she assumed presidency of the Vincent Astor Foundation, which Vincent had established in 1948 to alleviate human suffering. This continued a family tradition of philanthropy, as Vincent himself had received a vast fortune from his father, , following the latter's death in the Titanic disaster in 1912. In 1964, facilitated the donation of approximately 190 acres of the estate, known as Mount Rutsen, to the Rhinebeck chapter of , establishing the Game Refuge and Forest Preserve under the auspices of the Foundation. She personally deeded the land with the stipulation that it remain "forever wild," reflecting her commitment to conservation as a core philanthropic priority. Following Vincent's death, Brooke Astor oversaw the subdivision of the remaining 2,800-acre estate into multiple parcels, allocating portions for public benefit while selling others to private buyers. One significant allocation transformed 36 acres into Ferncliff Manor, a serving the community, which opened in the early 1970s under the management of the Catholic Archdiocese. Other parcels, such as gatehouses and outbuildings, were sold for private residential use, generating funds that supported further charitable initiatives through the Vincent Astor Foundation. Throughout her tenure as foundation president from 1959 to 1997, directed the distributions from Ferncliff's divisions with a focus on conservation and community welfare, ultimately disbursing over $195 million in grants to support , , and across New York. Her hands-on approach ensured that the estate's legacy aligned with Vincent's vision of benevolent stewardship, prioritizing enduring public good over personal retention.

Modern Legacy

Ferncliff Forest Preserve

The Ferncliff Forest Preserve was established in 1964 when donated approximately 190 acres of the original Ferncliff Farm estate to the Rhinebeck chapter of , creating a protected and game refuge that has since expanded to 200 acres. This donation stipulated that the land remain "forever wild," preserving its natural state as one of the Hudson Valley's most significant ecological sites, often described as the second-best in the region. The preserve encompasses remnants of the Astor family's original woodlands, which spanned thousands of acres and were historically used for recreational activities including hunting and outdoor pursuits by estate owners like and his descendants. Key features of the preserve include over 12 miles of well-marked trails suitable for , , , and picnicking, winding through rugged terrain with elevation gains offering views of the and . A prominent 80-foot , constructed in 2007 as a modern replacement for earlier fire towers, provides panoramic 360-degree vistas and serves as a popular destination for visitors seeking elevated perspectives of the surrounding landscape. The forest supports diverse flora characteristic of old-growth ecosystems, dominated by towering oaks, hemlocks, and other species that create a rich canopy, alongside plants and ferns that thrive in the shaded, moist environment. As a designated wildlife refuge, it protects habitats for various , contributing to regional conservation. Management of the preserve is handled by Ferncliff Forest Inc., a 501(c)(3) founded shortly after the donation, with K. Staley Sr. serving as its first ranger from 1964 to 1994 and emphasizing sustainable stewardship. Conservation efforts focus on maintaining the "forever wild" designation through trail maintenance, control, and protection, funded primarily by donations and membership fees to ensure long-term ecological integrity without commercial development. Public access is free and open year-round, with policies promoting low-impact recreation such as permit-required primitive camping limited to seven days and prohibitions on fires outside designated areas to minimize environmental disturbance. Educational programs, coordinated by the , include guided walks like the K. Staley Sr. Walk established in 1994, community events such as the annual 5K run, and interpretive resources highlighting the forest's , history, and to foster public appreciation and environmental awareness.

Astor Courts and Other Sites

Astor Courts, originally known as the Ferncliff Casino, was constructed between 1902 and 1904 as a Beaux-Arts style sporting pavilion and guest house on the Ferncliff Farm estate in Rhinebeck, New York. Designed by renowned architect for , the 40,000-square-foot structure drew inspiration from the Grand Trianon at Versailles and served as a recreational hub for the and their guests. It featured an indoor heated with a turquoise vaulted ceiling and white marble walls, a clay under a vault, squash courts, a , and additional amenities like a barber shop. The design incorporated three wings—a public area with a grand 35-by-60-foot hall boasting Ionic columns, French doors, and a domed ; a private section; and a guest wing with four bedrooms and shared bathrooms—emphasizing luxury and leisure amid the estate's views. Following the death of John Jacob Astor IV in 1912 aboard the Titanic, the pavilion passed to his son, Vincent Astor, who inherited the full Ferncliff estate. In the late 1940s, after the demolition of the estate's original Victorian mansion—built in 1853 by William Backhouse Astor Jr. and razed due to its deteriorating condition and high maintenance taxes—the sports pavilion was renovated and converted into a primary residence. Vincent Astor, influenced by his wife Minnie Cushing's preferences, renamed it Astor Courts, transforming spaces like the squash court into a library while preserving much of the original architecture. The building briefly functioned as a nursing home before being restored in 2003 by White's great-grandson, Sam White, and has since served as a private residence, notably hosting Chelsea Clinton's 2010 wedding. As of 2024, it is owned by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, who has overseen further restoration of the structure. Beyond Astor Courts, several other structures from the Ferncliff Farm era remain on subdivided portions of the estate, reflecting its evolution from a retreat to private properties. The , constructed around 1879 in the Second Empire style by architect Louis Augustus Ehlers, features stone and brick construction and originally controlled access to the 2,800-acre property; it now stands as a standalone residence. The , built circa 1948 under Vincent Astor's direction, was designed as a serene overlook with panoramic views of the and , later adapted for residential use. Dairy barns and staff quarters, remnants of the estate's working farm operations that included and livestock, have also been converted into private homes, preserving elements of the Astors' agricultural legacy amid the landscape. These sites, though no longer under unified ownership, contribute to the area's historical fabric, with some parcels donated or sold following Vincent Astor's death in 1959.

References

  1. http://www.ferncliffforest.org/History/index.php
  2. https://mainstreetmag.com/rhinebeck-roots/
  3. https://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/story/news/2018/09/18/rhinebeck-astor-courts-original-mansion-demolished-late-1940-s/1335581002/
  4. https://www.tclf.org/landscapes/ferncliff-forest
  5. https://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/story/news/local/2016/07/12/dateline-local-history-ferncliff-forest-astors/86998594/
  6. https://hvmag.com/home-real-estate/ferncliff-gatehouse-astor-estate/
  7. https://pages.vassar.edu/hvamenityeconomy/2015/10/16/ferncliff-forest/
  8. https://northof.nyc/archive/the-astor-legacy/
  9. https://research.library.fordham.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1007&context=history
  10. http://www.columbia.edu/cu/lweb/digital/collections/cul/texts/ldpd_6221441_000/ldpd_6221441_000.pdf
  11. https://ecode360.com/RH0960/document/183723447.pdf
  12. https://www.brownstoner.com/upstate/upstate-homes-for-sale-167-river-road-rhinebeck-astor-ferncliff/
  13. https://americanaristocracy.com/houses/ferncliff
  14. https://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/06/garden/06white.html
  15. https://www.amazon.com/Mrs-Astor-Regrets-Betrayals-Reproach/dp/0618893733
  16. https://theclio.com/entry/93828
  17. https://visitingamuseum.com/tag/gilded-age-homes-in-the-hudson-river-valley/
  18. https://www.nps.gov/vama/learn/historyculture/the-pavilion.htm
  19. https://nyheritage.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/rhs/id/100/
  20. https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2008/10/astor200810
  21. https://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/news/heir-to-astor-fortune-known-for-generous-giving-high-society-dinner-partie/
  22. https://www.archcare.org/ferncliff/
  23. https://licf.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Brooke-Astor.pdf
  24. https://www.thedailycatch.org/articles/forever-wild-the-story-of-ferncliff-forest/
  25. https://ferncliffforest.org/
  26. https://hikethehudsonvalley.com/hikes/ferncliff-forest/
  27. https://www.architecturaldigest.com/gallery/former-google-ceo-eric-schmidt-gilded-age-hudson-valley-estate
  28. https://americanaristocracy.com/houses/astor-courts
  29. https://www.pbdw.com/astor-courts
  30. https://historicrhinebeck.org/estates/
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.