Lyndhurst Mansion — Attraction in Town of Greenburgh

Nestled on a scenic bluff overlooking the Hudson River in Tarrytown, New York, Lyndhurst Mansion stands as a dramatic and captivating testament to the Gilded Age. A National Historic Landmark, this estate is far more than just a house; it's a meticulously preserved slice of American history, offering visitors a unique glimpse into the lives of the wealthy and influential families who called it home.

The first thing that strikes you about Lyndhurst is its architecture. Designed by Alexander Jackson Davis in 1838, the mansion is a quintessential example of Gothic Revival style. Its asymmetrical structure, soaring turrets, and pointed arches give it the appearance of a fairytale castle straight out of a 19th-century romance novel. The original structure, first built for William S. Paulding, was expanded by subsequent owners, including the prominent merchant George Merritt and the infamous railroad tycoon Jay Gould, who made it his summer residence. It's a fascinating study in how architecture and taste evolved over a century. The interior of the mansion is as impressive as its exterior. The guided tours are highly recommended, as they take you through a series of elaborately decorated rooms. What makes Lyndhurst special is the fact that the furnishings are largely original to the estate, reflecting the tastes of each of its three main owners. The opulent decor, with its intricate woodwork, vibrant stained glass windows—including some by Louis Comfort Tiffany—and an extensive collection of art and decorative arts, transports you back in time. The famous “backstairs tour,” which shows the servant quarters, kitchens, and an observation tower with panoramic views, provides a comprehensive look at how the entire estate functioned.

Beyond the mansion itself, the 67-acre grounds are a destination in their own right. Designed in the picturesque style popular in the 19th century, the landscape features rolling lawns, specimen trees, and winding carriage roads that lead to hidden nooks with stunning river views. You can easily spend an afternoon just exploring the grounds, which also include historic outbuildings like a restored bowling alley and the ruins of a massive greenhouse.

A visit to Lyndhurst is a truly immersive experience. Whether you’re a history buff, an architecture enthusiast, or simply looking for a beautiful and interesting place to spend the day, Lyndhurst Mansion offers an unforgettable journey into America's past. The combination of its striking design, well-preserved interiors, and stunning location makes it a must-see landmark in the...

I'd just like to leave a comment regarding the wedding services offered at your facility. I am absolutely disgusted at the level of disorganization, lack of communication and unprofessional attitude of the employees handling the scheduling and booking of wedding services. I can only comment on Paul and John and the experience trying to book my big day. I expressed interest in having my wedding at this location. I scheduled an appointment right away to tour the facilities. My family and I showed up for the appointment and nobody showed up to even provide us with our tour. We were still given a brief tour by Kristen (who was extremely welcoming and helpful and totally unassociated with the catering/wedding side) and rescheduled our appointment with Paul for a tour. Before this appointment we explicitly confirmed what we wanted regarding (date/size of wedding/budget/timing) and everything we were looking for was on the table. We explicitly expressed interest in a Fall Month and specific day (which lucky for us was totally available!) We arrive at our appointment with Paul who finally tells us the day has been taken. It would've been more professional to call us and inform us of this before taking a drive down to Lyndhurst as we have already booked other events for our wedding day (church ceremony etc.) He bluntly told us the day is taken and that "we should look in Long Island" for a new wedding venue. (Mind you I choice this location because it holds a special sentimental value to my family and I.) He did not offer any other accommodations or even express any further interest in scheduling my wedding for another day. I completely feel that my business was not valued by Lyndhurst and I would never recommend anyone else to attempt to book this venue for the BIGGEST day of their life. The communication here is horrendous and I've realized that they do not value their customers at all. We were ready to pay in full that very day to secure our date. Everything happens for a reason but I believe the higher-ups at this wonderful and historical landmark should know what goes on...

The Lyndhurst Mansion aka, the Jay Gould Estate is a gorgeously designed Gothic Revival mansion located in Tarrytown, New York.

The Lyndhurst Mansion was designed by American architect, Alexander Jackson Davis in 1838 and served as the residence for three prominent New Yorkers starting with former New York City mayor, William Paulding Jr, followed by New York businessman, George Merritt and lastly, Jay Gould, a highly successful New York railroad magnate.

Today, the Lyndhurst Mansion primarily functions as an historic museum and is open to the public for tours.

Due to its rich historical heritage and groundbreaking architectural features, the Lyndhurst Mansion is recognized as a National Historic Landmark and it is also listed on the National Register Of Historic Places.

In Halloween of 2018, I brought and treated myself and my wife for a guided Halloween theme tour of Lyndhurst Mansion and we very much enjoyed our tour experience.

Our tour guide did a fabulous job on providing us with a pretty concise overview of the mansion and its history and also talked about the mansion’s previous occupants and their respective contributions to the estate.

In addition to enjoying the tour, both my wife and I loved the Halloween decorations littered throughout the mansion and the estate, the mansion’s art gallery room which featured beautiful works of art and the scenic views of the Hudson River which can be seen from mansion and the estate’s various walkways.

If you admire Gothic style architecture, enjoy history, and appreciate picturesque countryside settings, then you should definitely take the time to visit and explore the...