A gently curved path leads to gorgeous views of the Hudson River and reveals the allure of Sunnyside's unique design, its intimate setting, its bucolic grounds, and its association with a beloved man of letters.
Your guide, dressed elegantly in hoop skirts or formal dress of the times, explains how Washington Irving designed Sunnyside and its grounds himself, collaborating with his neighbor, the artist George Harvey. "It is a beautiful spot," Irving wrote, "capable of being made a little paradise." Beginning in 1835, he expanded a small cottage in stages, combining his sentimental interests in the architecture of colonial New York and buildings he knew in Scotland and Spain. The house became a three-dimensional autobiography.
The grounds reflect Washington Irving's romantic view of art, nature, and history. He arranged garden paths, trees and shrubs, vistas, and water features to appear natural, and planted an exotic wisteria vine (still growing) to envelope the house.
Irving's contemporaries extensively described and illustrated Sunnyside during his lifetime. And since Sunnyside and many of its furnishings remained in the family, a visit here is one of the most authentic experiences of mid-19th century life anywhere in the country.
Open
April 1 to Oct. 31*
Daily except Tuesdays
10am-5pm; last tour at 4pm
November and December*
Saturdays and Sundays; Friday, Nov. 25
10am-4pm; last tour at 3pm
For More Information
Call 914.631.8200 Monday through Friday or 914.591.8763 on weekends
*Adult and school groups may also book tours for days when Sunnyside is not open to the general public. Call 914-631-8200 for information.
Please note that for the safety and enjoyment of all guests, pets are not allowed on Historic Hudson Valley properties.
(c)2008 Historic Hudson Valley Original Link
