In response to growing visitor
demand, Historic Hudson Valley is pleased to announce the expansion of tours at
three of Westchester County's iconic historic sites: Washington Irving's
Sunnyside, Philipsburg Manor, and Union Church at Pocantico Hills. Starting July
20, these locations will extend operations to provide additional access to
locals and tourists alike, now open weekly from Thursdays through Sundays.
Washington Irving's Sunnyside
is the charming riverside cottage of America’s “Founding Father of Literature.”
Visitors can walk in the author’s footsteps and experience the grounds and home
that Irving designed himself.
At Philipsburg Manor, visitors
tour the working gristmill, walk through the manor house with period artifacts,
and learn about the 23 enslaved individuals of African descent who lived and
labored on the plantation.
Visitors to Union Church of
Pocantico Hills view the awe-inspiring stained-glass windows by European
masters, including the last commissioned work by Henri Matisse and nine windows
by Marc Chagall, and learn the inspiration behind each one.
In addition to expanded
operations of these three National Historic Landmarks, Kykuit, the Rockefeller
estate will expand operations to six days a week this fall. Starting October 1,
2023, this top-rated cultural attraction will welcome visitors from
Wednesday-Monday. Visitors to Kykuit learn the story of the Rockefellers,
beginning with John D. Rockefeller, founder of Standard Oil, whose business
acumen made him the richest man in America in his day. He later became the
country's first significant philanthropist and by his death in 1937, he had
given away more than half his fortune through various philanthropic programs.
With the extended tour availability, there are more
opportunities for individuals and families to explore the region’s rich
history.
Capacity is limited for all the
historic site tours and events, and visitors are encouraged to purchase tickets
online in advance at hudsonvalley.org. Same-day admission prices are subject to
a $2 surcharge.
PHILIPSBURG MANOR
In 1750, Philipsburg Manor was home to 23 enslaved
individuals known to have lived and labored there. It is the country’s first
living history museum to focus on the history of northern slavery.
The site will be open for guided tours Thursday-Sunday, May
12-November 12 and Saturday-Sunday, November 18-December 17. Tickets are $15
for adults, $12 for seniors and young adults, and $10 for children. Tours are
free for Historic Hudson Valley members. Admission is by timed ticket only.
Philipsburg Manor is at 381
North Broadway (Route 9) in Sleepy Hollow, N.Y., two miles north of the Gov.
Mario M. Cuomo Bridge.
WASHINGTON IRVING’S SUNNYSIDE
America’s “Founding Father of Literature” created a romantic,
picturesque estate nestled along the Hudson riverbank. The house and the
furnishings, many of which are original to Irving, have been restored to their
1850s character.
The site will be open for guided tours Thursday-Sunday, May
12-September 10. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and young adults,
and $10 for children. Tours are free for Historic Hudson Valley members.
Admission is by timed ticket only.
Washington Irving’s Sunnyside
is at 3 W Sunnyside Lane, Irvington, one mile south of the Gov. Mario M. Cuomo
Bridge.
READ MORE: New York State Parks: Great family-friendly vacation spots
UNION CHURCH OF POCANTICO HILLS
Union Church was organized as a
non-denominational Protestant church in 1915, with John D. Rockefeller among
the founders. Over the years, the Rockefeller family commissioned stained-glass
windows by European masters Henri Matisse and Marc Chagall to adorn the
unassuming country church.
The site will be open for guided tours Thursday-Sunday, May
12-November 12. Tickets are $10. Tours are free for Historic Hudson Valley
members. Admission is by timed ticket only.
Union Church of Pocantico Hills
is at 555 Bedford Road, Pocantico Hills.
KYKUIT, THE ROCKEFELLER ESTATE
Built between 1906 and 1913,
Kykuit was home to four generations of the Rockefeller family, beginning with
John D. Rockefeller, the founder of Standard Oil. Later, his grandson Nelson
Rockefeller, the former governor of New York and vice president of the United
States lived there with his family.
The site is open for guided
tours Friday-Sunday, May 12-October 2; Wednesday-Monday, October 4-October 30;
and Friday-Sunday, November 3-12.
Kykuit, a historic site of the National Trust, is operated
and maintained by the Rockefeller Brothers Fund as a center for its
philanthropic programs. Historic Hudson Valley operates the public visitation
program.
All visits to Kykuit start at the Kykuit and Philipsburg
Manor Visitor Center, located at 381 North Broadway (Route 9) in Sleepy Hollow,
N.Y., two miles north of the Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge.
Selected Highlights
tour tickets are $25 for adults, $23 for children, young adults and seniors.
Westchester County residents receive a $5 discount on the adult ticket price
for this tour. Classic tour tickets are $45 for adults, $43 for children, young
adults and seniors. Grand tour tickets are $65. Historic Hudson Valley members
receive a 15% discount on all Kykuit tickets.
About Historic Hudson Valley
Historic Hudson Valley, Westchester County’s largest
cultural organization, educates and entertains more than 325,000 visitors a
year through school programs, tours of National Historic Landmarks, and
Halloween-themed experiences, which have earned a national reputation as among
the best in the country.
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