Old Westbury Gardens

Old Westbury Gardens is a historic country estate and public garden located in Old Westbury, New York on Long Island's Gold Coast. The estate was constructed between 1904 and 1906 for John S. Phipps, an heir to the Phipps steel fortune, and his English-born wife, Margarita Grace. The core of the property is a magnificent Charles II style mansion set amidst 200 acres of formal gardens, landscaped woodlands, and picturesque ponds. Operated today by a private foundation, it is celebrated as one of the finest examples of a Gold Coast era estate open to the public, offering a preserved glimpse into early 20th-century aristocratic life and English-inspired horticultural design.

History

The estate's origins are rooted in the marriage of John S. Phipps to Margarita Grace, daughter of the Irish-American shipping magnate William Russell Grace, who served as Mayor of New York City. Seeking a country home reminiscent of her native England, Margarita prompted the creation of the estate. The family commissioned British architect and designer George A. Crawley to plan the house and initial gardens, with construction supervised by the American firm Cross & Cross. The Phipps family, closely connected to other prominent industrial dynasties like the Carnegies and Vanderbilts, used the estate as a primary residence for decades. Following John Phipps's death in 1958, the property was managed by their son, John E. R. Phipps. In 1959, it was formally established as a nonprofit organization to preserve the estate for public benefit, opening its doors to visitors shortly thereafter.

Architecture and gardens

The centerpiece of the estate is Old Westbury House, a superb example of Charles II style architecture, a form of English Baroque revival popular among American elites. The red-brick mansion features ornate stone quoins, a steep hipped roof, and prominent dormers, drawing direct inspiration from English country houses like Hampton Court Palace. Interiors are adorned with fine English oak paneling, French period furniture, and a notable collection of British portraiture. The surrounding gardens are the estate's chief horticultural glory, designed by noted landscape architect George A. Crawley with later contributions from Beatrix Farrand and Umberto Innocenti. Key features include the grand Walled Garden, the serene Italian Garden with its classical Temple of Love, the picturesque West Pond, and sweeping vistas across the Long Island landscape, all exemplifying the principles of the English landscape garden movement.

Collections and features

The estate houses a significant collection of fine and decorative arts assembled by the Phipps family, primarily from the 17th through early 20th centuries. The collection includes important works by British painters such as Sir Joshua Reynolds, Thomas Gainsborough, and George Romney, as well as Dutch Old Master works. The mansion's rooms display exquisite examples of French furniture from the reigns of Louis XV and Louis XVI, along with Sèvres and Chinese export porcelain. Beyond the house, architectural features include several historic outbuildings, a thatched-roof Swiss Cottage, and a fully restored Flemish-style horse-drawn carriage house. The grounds also support a diverse ecosystem, with areas managed as meadows and woodlands to promote local wildlife.

Public access and events

Old Westbury Gardens operates as a public cultural institution and is a member of the Historic House Trust of New York City. The estate is open seasonally from April through October, offering guided tours of the mansion, self-guided exploration of the gardens, and a variety of educational programs. It hosts numerous annual events, including outdoor Shakespeare performances, classical music concerts, and popular seasonal festivals like the Autumn Harvest Fair and holiday-themed celebrations. The site is a frequent destination for school groups, horticultural societies, and photographers, and its facilities are available for private events such as weddings through a partnership with the catering company Restaurant Associates.

In popular culture

The estate's preserved early 20th-century ambiance and photogenic landscapes have made it a sought-after filming location for period dramas and other productions. It notably served as a primary setting for the 1999 film adaptation of Henry James's The Wings of the Dove, directed by Iain Softley. The mansion and gardens have also appeared in episodes of the television series Royal Pains, which was set on Long Island, and have been featured in fashion shoots for publications like Vogue. Its architectural authenticity frequently draws comparisons to English estates featured in productions by BBC and ITV.

Category:Historic house museums in New York (state) Category:Gardens in New York (state) Category:Old Westbury, New York Category:Historic districts on the National Register of Historic Places in New York (state)