Hempstead House

The Hempstead House, also known as Gould Guggenheim Estate is an unbelievably gorgeous mansion located at the Sands Point Preserve in Long Island, New York.

Prior to becoming a historic house museum, the Hempstead House once served as the private residence of Howard Gould, financier and son of Jay Gould, a successful 19th Century railroad tycoon and Katherine Clemmons, the wife of Howard Gould. In 1917, the Goulds sold Hempstead House to mining magnate and philanthropist, Daniel Guggenheim and his wife Florence.

In January of 2023, I brought and treated my wife and myself for a guided tour of the Hempstead House and we thoroughly enjoyed our tour experience.

Both my wife and I were deeply impressed with Hempstead House’s granite and limestone exterior and it’s massive size. According to our tour guide, the Hempstead House is 225 feet long, 135 feet wide and possessed 40 rooms.

In addition to Hempstead’s exterior, my wife and I loved the estate’s beautiful landscaped gardens, and the superb views of the Long Island Sound that visitors are fortunate to see from the mansion.

Our tour guide did a great job on explaining the history and financial success of both the Gould’s, and Guggenheims, showcased and discussed the mansion’s various rooms such as the Guggenheim bedrooms, the breakfast room and the room that features the sunken Palm Court.

Due to the castle’s amazing architectural details, its picturesque settings, and position near the Long Island Sound, the Hempstead House has been featured in many prominent films ranging from Scent of a Woman, Malcolm X, and Great Expectations.

When visiting Long Island, definitely make sure to visit and explore Hempstead House at the Sands Point Preserve!!!