A New York Gothic Revival Gem: Lyndhurst Mansion

ByCynthia Capley
View of the exterior of Lyndhurst Mansion which was built in the gothic revival style.

The Gilded Age is the period in the United States between 1865 to 1904. While there was a lot of economic growth during this time, with improved wages for industrial workers, there was also much political corruption and excess materialism alongside extreme poverty. Robber barons of the day succeeded in part through the use of unethical business practices. The show The Gilded Age showing on Max centers on the lives of robber barons, George and Bertha Russell. George Russell’s character is based on Jay Gould, a railroad magnate of the era.

While watching the Gilded Age on Max and the scenes set in Central Park seemed quite elaborate and knowing it was filmed in New York, it got me wondering where there would be a piece of land of that size to accommodate it. I did some research and learned that scenes for this historical drama were filmed in both New York and Rhode Island.

I was delighted that one of the filming locations was Lyndhurst Mansion, a place I had visited. (My brother says anytime we get together, all we do is run around whatever location we’re at, visiting old houses. I have no defense against this accusation.)

Lyndhurst Mansion is located in Tarrytown, New York. The Village of Tarrytown, located north of New York City, is charming and one of my favorite places in New York.  It seems fitting that scenes from The Gilded Age were filmed here since Jay Gould purchased the estate in 1880 and spent much time here with his family.

The dining room of Lyndhurst Mansion containing tables and chairs in the gothic style.
Dining room at Lyndhurst Mansion. One of the scenes of the Gilded Age was filmed in this room.
Interior Lyndhurst Mansion featuring the ceiling which has been hand painted to look like marble using brown and gray colors.
Several rooms in the mansion the were hand painted to look like marble.
One of the bedrooms in Lyndhurst Mansion containing a canopied bed in a floral pattern. The room has a turquoise ceiling with gold stars.
One of the bedrooms in the mansion, I especially liked the turquoise ceiling with the gold stars.

I can’t remember the route to this place anymore, but when I lived in New York, my friend and I would walk in a park by the Hudson River. I did a Google search and I think the park I used to walk was Rockwood Hall. The walk was fascinating, with visible mansion foundations along the trail. I examined the stones on the ground, trying to identify the section of the house I was observing.

One thing I love about New York is being able to visit historical locations. There are many places I still want to visit in the future.

Some other historical estates in the area are:

  • Sunnyside, the home of Washington Irving
  • Kykuit, The Rockefeller Estate
  • Philipsburg Manor

Resources

https://lyndhurst.org/history

https://lyndhurst.org/hbos-the-gilded-age/

https://lyndhurst.org/hbos-the-gilded-age/#:~:text=The%20Lyndhurst%20lawns%20and%20grounds,The%20New%20York%20Globe%20newspaper