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| Boscobel from the South (garden) |
Boscobel (Build 1808), a wonderful old estate and garden, also the summer home of a Shakespeare festival, sits high up above the Hudson, in Garrison, NY, near Cold Springs. The mansion once belonged to a gentleman and his family, who came to money, perhaps not in the most honorable way, which sounds not that unusual. He became one of the first millionaires. He build himself an amazingly large house, but never lived to see it. After completion, his wife and son moved there and in succession the only granddaughter with fifteen children.
The house was eventually abandoned in the 1890 and stood empty until the Forties, when it was bought by the State of New York. Fortunately the house was saved by a Foundation, which secured the house, moved it to it's current location and restored the
place in the most detail oriented fashion.
The mansion today houses the largest collection of Federal style original furniture and brings an era to life from long ago.
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| In the foreground the Constitution Marsh, behind the Hudson and West Point Academy |
Not only this, the grounds have been build 1961 to complement the setting high above the Hudson with magnificent views, the former owners could have only dreamed of.
At the time of designing the gardens the trees and shrubberies were planted mature, so the impression of an old, settled in estate is absolutely perfect!
The rose garden holds many beautiful species and this year, so I have been told, it has a record on rose blossoms.
The orangery is a charming addition and the herb garden a delight.
The grounds are completed by an apple orchard and a lake with a large fountain...
The labor of love... Speaking of:
We are going to see Shakespeare's Love's Labour's Lost, a pleasure I can't wait to indulge in!
When you're in the area, it would be a wonderful addition to any tour along the Hudson.
All images by Victoria Zlotkowsi
