Travel: Visiting 10 NY Historic Homes in 2023

This year was the year of historic houses. What began as curiosity soon transformed into an obsession with wanting to visit as many homes as possible. When you start visiting these homes, you start seeing patterns. There is one thing I know for certain though, and that is the preservation of these homes is important for not only the re-telling of history, but also bringing that history to life. It's surreal to be in the homes of people I've heard stories about, to be walking in their steps, admiring the same things they once did. I've had the privilege of visiting ten historic homes this past year, and here is everything that I think about them.

1. Kykuit, the Rockefeller Estate

Opulence? You haven't even seen it until you've been to Kykuit. The lush, green overgrowth on the front of the house, coupled with the ornate, over the top details make this house truly one of a kind. It doesn't shy away from its grandiosity, echoing the wealth of its owner John D. Rockefeller. The house is secluded in the estate, overshadowed by trees and enclaves of flowers. I remember gasping when I made it to the front of the house. I was overwhelmed, but in the most beautiful way. The architecture is classical, and everything, down to the placement of statues, was intentional. I'd say that the outside of the house is what really took my breath away; the gardens and the view of the Hudson was marvelous and definitely worth seeing. | Rating: 8/10

2. Vanderbilt Mansion

The architecture is sort of all consuming, especially with all of those pillars. It's very angled and literal in comparison to some of these other homes. Designed for Frederick and Louise Vanderbilt, this was a seasonal home. I could definitely sense that this home wasn't too lived in; it felt like it was compensating for something, and none of the decor felt intentional which makes sense since this was more of a vacation home for the Vanderbilts. When you walk in, the house feels like it's separated into sections of rooms with a large, airy center space. I did like the open glass ceiling in the center of the house, but that was it. This home wasn't my favorite, but it was nice to get a glimpse into the Vanderbilt's aesthetic. | Rating: 6/10

3. Lyndhurst Mansion

The mansion that started it all, Lyndhurst has a special place in my heart. It's gothic, it's dramatic, it's a really great house. Lyndhurst was home to various owners, ending up in the hands of prominent businessman Jay Gould. The ornate knobs, and castle-like borders surrounding the house give it a sort of medieval texture. The interior is also really gothic as well, with arched window and stained glass. My favorite part of Lyndhurst is the art room on the second floor, engulfed in a flame of paintings depicting a myriad of subjects and things. This house is quirky, and the estate itself is really impressive; the trees almost feel never ending. I recommend visiting Lyndhurst during the autumn months where they decorate the house for the season, and have a plethora of events. | Rating: 8.5/10 

4. Sagamore Hill National Historic Site

Theodore Roosevelt was larger than life, and you can tell by his home. His home felt like an adventurous, hoarders den with artifacts from all over the globe. I loved how rustic, and almost bohemian his home felt. The atmosphere had a lot of warm tones, mimicking the exterior of the house which is an orange clay sort of color. There was a lot of texture, a lot of prints, and a lot to look at. You could see how vibrantly Roosevelt lived his life, collecting trinkets from his travels around the world. The exterior of the home is totally unassuming compared to the treasures stored inside. The house sits on top of a hill, calling for attention. Besides the home, which is definitely worth visiting, is a nature trail which leads to a beach on the estate. It's the perfect place to get some fresh air, and to get out in nature which is what Roosevelt would have probably wanted. This home is at the top of my list, purely because of the heart and intention that Rosevelt put into it. You can just feel his presence and influence here. | Rating: 10/10

5. Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site

Roosevelt's contributions to America are enough of a reason to visit this national historic site. His home looks patriotic, mimicking the grandeur of the White House. You could tell a former President lived in this house, with the green window paneling and waving American flag. For a lack of better terms, I liked how deeply American his house felt. Seeing Roosevelt's wheelchair and getting a glimpse into his library was also a pretty surreal moment. His home was a lot more modest, it was cozy and warm. The textured bricks that make up the house also set it apart from some of the other homes on this list. It was nice to learn more about Roosevelt's life, and this historic site was fun to visit. I will point out though that during the summer there are a lot of geese everywhere; the landscape is a testament to Roosevelt's love for nature. I also recommend checking out the horse stables, and circling along the path of the garden where Roosevelt is buried. | Rating: 7/10

6. Olana State Historic Site

Frederic Church was an artist, and Olana clearly demonstrates that. The exterior of the house is adorn in hand painted motifs, and colorful tile. The front door of the home reads "Welcome" in Arabic. Yes, a Persian inspired estate in the middle of Hudson Valley. It's eccentric for sure, a bohemian's paradise with furniture and treasures from the Middle East and Asia. Church definitely curated everything to look and feel a certain way, which contrasts the feel of his Hudson River School mentor Thomas Cole who lives right across from the estate. What I loved most about this estate was the outdoor patio, the views of the valley are breathtaking and inspiring. However, a lot of the estate is very man made, intentionally done by Church. Whether its the man made lake, or the curation of trees and where they are planted, there was something sort of missing that I couldn't put my finger on. Overall though, you don't really see a lot of Persian inspired historic homes in New York, so just for that reason alone I would recommend visiting this place. | Rating: 7.5/10 

7. Thomas Cole National Historic Site

Thomas Cole's home can be encapsulated in one word, and that is romantic. His views of the Hudson, of the valley, of nature were just so romantic. You could tell this was an artist's home. What makes this site special is knowing that Cole chose it intentionally for it's wonderful views. The fact that one of his famous paintings was taken on the porch of this house (as seen in the last photo of this slide) is kind of cool. He completely immersed himself in his art, choosing to live in it. The interiors aren't too glamorous, but it's really nice to get to see Cole's work up close and in the space that he called home. | Rating: 8.5/10

8. Armour Stiner Octagon House

Everything you need to know about the Victorian era is crammed into this one house. There are a lot of oddities and curiosities lurking beneath the surface, literally. There is a basement full of them. I loved the fact that this was an octagon shaped house, something that I had no idea even existed. The pinkish, reddish hues of the exterior catch your eyes instantly. The exterior is just as busy and the inside of the house. There is so much going on and I love it. It's a modest sized estate in comparison to the other homes on this list, but the true beauty of this home lies in all the weird stuff that it holds. Whether it's the Egyptian themed room, a human skeleton, or a cabinet filled with butterflies, you'll feel like you're being transported back to the Victorian era, a time where people loved collecting things. | Rating: 10/10

9. Cedarmere Preserve

Cedarmere was home to the giant that was William Cullen Bryant. Although not a historical site in the traditional sense, I wanted to mention this place because it still holds so much potential and value. Cedarmere Preserve is a beautiful park that I recommend visiting during sunset; that's when you can see the colors reflecting in the water. The home itself is really adorable, and traditional. It isn't glittering with gold or ornate design, but it makes sense since Cullen was a writer at heart. I loved seeing Cullen's writing desk, and his library filled with all of his original books. For anyone whose interested in Cullen particularly, this preserve is worth visiting. It still has a long way to go, but the bones are there. | Rating: 5/10

10. Old Westbury Gardens

Compared to some of the homes on this list, I'd say that Old Westbury Garden's strength lies in its garden (obviously). The gardens are superbly manicured. The front of the house is deceiving. It's actually the back of the house where magic can be found. The extravagant staircase at the back of the house leads you to a gigantic lawn, adorn with classical statues hidden throughout the hedges. As you walk down the stairs, the scent of wisteria accompanies you. There is even a hidden children's cottage to be found. The outdoor space is what made visiting this site worth it to me. The abundance of colorful flowers and ducks swimming in the pond left me feeling really refreshed and inspired. While you're at it, you might as well check out the house, which has a very cool bathroom by the way. | Rating: 8/10