Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum — Attraction in New York

Hidden from plain view, Bartow-Pell Mansion has been sitting inside what is now modern-day Pelham Bay Park—New York City’s largest park at 2,772 acres—since 1842 after 6 years of construction.

You’ve probably passed right by it along Shore Road as you pass Split Rock Golf Course taking the back road into Westchester or simply on your way to Orchard Beach.

It is a place steeped with history that not only occupies the mansion but the land it rests upon and even Pelham Bay Park itself.

The last remaining mansion and estate of about 20 that once occupied the park—until Robert Moses thought it would be best to just demolish them—preserves an important part of Bronx and national history.

Back in 1654, Thomas Pell purchased 9,000 acres from the Siwonay Native Americans stretching from most of the East Bronx up to Lower Westchester County.

Stepping into the house you immediately leave the 21st century and enter the early 19th century. The only traces you immediately notice that you’re still in 2016 is the obvious electrical outlets, lighting, and other modern conveniences that are hidden away.

Although no furniture or personal items survived from the Bartow-Pell family, the house has been meticulously restored down to the color of most rooms using paint analysis.

The furnishings have been selected from careful historical research of the era to recreate what the various rooms might have looked like and even some of the items are on loan from some of the city’s major museums.

All of the rooms along with  the mansion are enhanced by the simplicity of the grounds.

Behind Bartow-Pell you will find a beautifully landscaped, perfectly symmetrical yet simple, walled garden with a reflecting pool at its center.

The garden is quite special as it is one of only a few landmarked outdoor spaces in the city.

Beyond the garden you can take one of the paths which begins right at the burial ground of the Bartow-Pells and proceed along what’s left of Pelham Bay.

The bay was destroyed by Robert Moses when he created Orchard Beach by filling it in to create the crescent-shaped Bronx Riviera and further filling it in creating the expansive parking lot of the beach. This connected Hunter and Twin Islands to the mainland, although Twin Islands become actual islands during high tide.

As you walk along the trails through the estate, you can see the remnants of the other homes that occupied the lands of Pelham Bay Park.

There are so many hidden gems in The Bronx away from the eyes of the rest of New York City residents and the world but even to its own residents.

It’s easiest to reach Bartow-Pell by car but a hop on the 6 train to Pelham Bay and then the 45 Beeline bus gets you there just as well. I decided to take the train and then bike over which was a nice 15 minute ride at most, so you do have many options in...

Known about this place for a while now. It's right in my own backyard in the Bronx about 10 minutes away. I decided to go check it out on a nice Sunday afternoon. First off, it is a little tough to find. Navigation was going a little nuts trying to find the place. Their website advises to use the Golf Club as a destination point, but even with this its tough to find. The best way to describe it is...that there is a gated entrance to the driveway of the mansion on the right along Shore Road, about 1/10 of a mile after passing the Golf Club traveling East. It may be a good idea to check out the location on Google Maps before driving there. After entering the gates the driveway leads to the mansion. There are a bunch of parking spaces, but those are sufficient according to the staff there since this place never really gets "busy". We entered the mansion and there was a young man in front collecting money. The surrounds grounds are free to tour but the mansion itself is privately owned. The fee for touring the mansion is $8 for adults and $6 for children. Though on that day, they were nice enough not to charge for my 8 year-old, so I only paid for myself. ($8) The mansion itself is interesting. Like many museums, they have lots of old items and "appliances". The difference here is that this was an actual functioning house so you can see how the rooms were divided. Small details like the call bells in the attic which ran throughout the house and common game room were interesting. Also, reading some of the writings and the language used back then was nice. There are binders in each (most) rooms with information about the items in the room which was nice. Behind the mansion is a beautiful garden. There are also a few hiking trails you can take from there. Overall we had a great time. I myself found it interested, but my 8 year-old, not as much. I would imagine if you are into history or museums, this may be a good place. The younger ones may not be as interested. All staff we encountered that day (only 2 on that particular day) were very nice, knowledgeable...

The Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum and Gardens is a hidden gem that demands a full day of exploration! Nestled far from civilization, you'll want to leave your deli cravings behind—no sandwiches or takeout in sight. Instead, indulge in the serenity of the gardens, where I've witnessed meditative souls spending hours in quiet contemplation.

This historic estate unfolds the tales of the Bartow and Pell families, along with their loyal servants and assorted visitors, all intertwined in a rich tapestry of history. Don’t miss the mansion’s show-stopping coral-shaped staircase and the charming peacock statues that grace the gardens.

Inside, the rooms are beautifully decorated, but beware: the third floor has a mind of its own when it comes to temperature—hotter than a sauna in summer or chillier than a winter’s night, depending on your timing!

Take your time and consider joining one of the free tours included with admission—they're packed with delightful surprises. For the full experience, weekends are best; that’s when you can peek into the stable, too! And don’t hesitate to pepper the docents with questions—they’re treasure troves of information.

Keep your eyes peeled for quirky architectural details throughout the mansion and gardens, and don’t forget to check the Bartow-Pell website for upcoming events. They host some truly delightful happenings!

P.S. The Bartow-Pell Mansion acknowledges that its grounds are situated on the ancestral land of the...