Just 25 miles north of New York City, lies a historic medieval castle, overlooking the majestic Hudson River. The Castle on the Hudson, situated on 11 hilltop acres, was originally called Carrollcliffe and later Axe Castle. The grounds are enclosed by a stone wall and support a veritable arboretum of evergreens and rare varieties of trees, grasslands and flowers.
The Castle has changed very little in its first century. Much of the original interior woodwork and furnishings, which were built by a team of carpenters brought from Germany, still remain intact. Designed for graceful living and entertaining, the Castle has been renovated into a luxury hotel. Its individually styled suites incorporate the unique amenities including fireplaces and turret alcoves. In 1981, the town of Tarrytown designated the Castle a historic landmark, protecting the outside structure from ever being changed.
The Equus restaurant and General's bar, open to the public, occupy elegantly appointed rooms and an enclosed veranda with splendid views of the Hudson River and the New York City skyline. Press "Blue Button" for menus, photos, and more about The Castle on the Hudson.
This 172 acre park is centrally located in the county and a perfect spot for group picnics. The Great Hunger Memorial “A section of V.E. Macy Park has been renamed so that the history of the Irish who fled to Westchester in the 1840s to escape poverty and famine will never be forgotten".
Point of Interest: The Great Hunger Memorial
Parks attractions include: Picnicking, Playground, "The Great Hunger Memorial"
The Armonk Players is a community theatre group whose intention is to produce high quality theatre for the enjoyment and enrichment of its participants and the local population. We stage two full productions each year and offer four Simply Theatre play reading programs. At these readings, presented free to the public, we invite attendees to discuss the play with the director and actors afterwards over coffee and cake.
All performances are at the Whippoorwill Hall auditorium adjacent to The North Castle Public Library in Armonk, NY. The Armonk Players is sponsored by Friends of the North Castle Public Library, Inc., a non-profit organization whose mission is to raise money for purchasing "extras" for The North Castle Public Library and to bring cultural and educational events to the community. Press "Blue Button" for The Armonk Players Production Schedule, Audition Notices, Past Productions and more.
Wampus Pond Park is located on 102 acres in Armonk, Westchester County. It is named after the Indian from whom this land was bought in 1696. Wampus Pond means “opossum". A recent cultural resources inventory performed by Parker Harrington indicates that early 20th century rock shelters, several Native American artifacts and remnants of historically significant residential developments were found within or near the park.
The natural pond, at one time known as Wampus Lake Reservoir, was once part of the New York City water supply. In 1963 the County bought Wampus pond and 93 acres from the City of New York.
Parks attractions include: Boating, Fishing, Ice-Skating, Nature Study, Picnicking
The Bedford Historic Courthouse c1787 is located in Bedford Village. The Court House is the oldest Westchester County Government Building and one of only three Court Houses in New York State built before 1800. It is Bedford's historic landmark of the days from 1788 to 1870 when Bedford was a county seat more populous than White Plains. The Court House was restored once in 1889 and again between 1965 and 1970 when its Court Room was returned to its original dignity. The Bedford Museum is housed on the second floor. The Town owns the building and the Historical Society maintains the interior and operates the museums that are open to the public from May to October. Press "Blue Button" for the Bedford Historical Society and more historic properties.
The General Store c1838 is located in Bedford Village. Country store, post office and for many years an antique shop, this small building stood originally on Pound Ridge Road. It was moved to its current site next to the Old Burying Ground in 1890. Purchased by the Bedford Historical Society in 1968, it is currently leased to Travel Trends and G. Henschel, Architects. Press "Blue Button" for more information about the Bedford Historical Society and its historic properties.
Bedford Historic Hall is located in Bedford Village. Bedford Historic Hall was moved to its present site in 1837 by twenty yoke of oxen. Historical Hall was the impetus for the founding of the Bedford Historical Society. In 1916, a group of citizens purchased the building to preserve it and prevent it from being turned into a tenement. It has been improved and maintained by the Society ever since and is used for private parties, meetings and exhibitions.
Press "Blue Button" for more information about the Bedford Historical Society and its historic properties.
The Jackson House c1857 is located in Bedford Village. The corner property on Court Road was purchased by the Society in 1946 to protect the adjacent Court House. Built by George W. Jackson, the house was owned in the 1860's and 1870's by the town's livery stable proprietor, Cyrus K. Saunders, who also ran the stage to Bedford Station, now Bedford Hills. In 1998, the original building underwent extensive structural and cosmetic renovations; in 2001, the annex was restored and in 2006, the two interior spaces were reconnected. The building is currently leased to Wendy's Closet, a women's clothing store. Press "Blue Button" for more information about the Bedford Historical Society and its historic properties.
The Bedford Historic Library c1807 is located in Bedford Village. Until 1902, this was the Bedford Academy, one of Westchester's first classical schools. The Corporation of Bedford Academy gave the building to the Historical Society in 1972. It is currently leased for $1 a year to the Bedford Free Library who is responsible for its maintenance. Press "Blue Button" for more information about the Bedford Historical Society and its historic properties.
The Lounsbery Building c1906 is located in Bedford Village. Also of Greek Revival style, the store adjoining the Post Office was put up by Richard P. Lounsbery to replace a nearby one that had been burned down. It was the village A & P for many years. In 1972, it was purchased by the Society who maintains its offices on the second floor. The ground floor is currently leased to the Horse Connection. Press "Blue Button" for more information about the Bedford Historical Society and its historic properties.
The Post Office c1838 is located in Bedford Village. An example of Greek Revival style, the Post Office was originally a harness shop. It has been the village Post Office since around 1900. It first stood next to the Library but was moved in 1930 to make room for the Fire House. It was purchased in 1972 by the Society and enlarged in 1975 so that the Post Office could remain in the village.
Press "Blue Button" for more information about the Bedford Historical Society and its historic properties.
The School House c1829 is located in Bedford Village. This small stone building on the Green, often called the Stone Jug, was the village school from 1829 to 1912. From 1913 to 1969 it housed the Bedford Museum which was moved to the second floor of the renovated Court House. The School House was then restored to its original use as a 19th century one-room school. It is open to the public from May to October.
Press "Blue Button" for more information about the Bedford Historical Society and its historic properties.
The Bedford Historical Society is a non-profit, educational institution committed to preserving our historic Town and original Village Green, to educating students of all ages in Bedford's unique history and to interpreting our collections for the benefit of residents and visitors alike.
In addition to operating and maintaining our historic buildings, we open our two museums to the public from April to December with the help of our devoted volunteers. The Society also sponsors lectures of historical and community interest, educational tours, special exhibits of our collections, and special events that promote an appreciation of our history. We work to preserve and collect our local historic treasures and to provide educational information to those studying local history. Press "Blue Button" for more information about the Bedford Historical Society and its historic properties.
At the comer of Guard Hill and Succabone Roads stands a tall, handsome brick tower which is a landmark and a source of joy and some amusement to the townspeople. This is the famous Sutton Clock Tower, and this is the story behind it.
In the late 1880s when the Sutton family moved to their country home in Bedford, Mrs. Sutton was homesick for New York City. Among other things, she missed the sound of the city's church bells. Thereupon Mr. Sutton installed in his barn a huge clock, an E. Howard time and strike model with a 550-pound bell. After Mrs. Sutton’s death, the property was sold. The barn was dismantled but the clock and bell were rescued and in 1939 a group of neighbors raised $3000 to build a tower to house the clock. They then donated the tower to the Town of Bedford. Since 1985, the Historical Society has leased the tower and maintains the clock. A small group of neighbors, known as the Clock Winders, takes turns winding the clock, which is accurate to this day as the chimes ring the hours across the surrounding fields and meadows.
Press "Blue Button" for more information about the Bedford Historical Society and its historic properties.
Bedford Village Memorial Park is located in the beautiful hamlet of Bedford Village. It is one of several parks in the municipality of Bedford that offer Summer Day Camp programs and many other activities.
Butterscotch Auction Gallery is Westchester, New York's oldest and foremost auction house, supplying the safest and most profitable channel through which an individual or an estate trustee can realize the value of antiques and other items of quality. Paul D. Marinucci, ISA, has for over 27 years been actively engaged in the appraisal of fine arts, antiques and general estate merchandise for attorneys, executors and individuals.
Esquire Appraisals, Inc. is located at 23 Trudy Lane, Bedford, NY 10506 in Westchester County. Esquire Appraisals is a fully independent appraisal firm that has been in business with Lee Drexler as its President for over 36 years. Lee Drexler is unique because she is an expert appraiser of such a wide range of property: paintings, sculpture, antiques, furniture, oriental rugs, jewelry, silver and all decorative arts.
Indian Hill Park is accessible from Paddock Lane in Bedford Village. It is one of several parks in the municipality of Bedford offering walking trails and natural areas.
Parks attractions include: Natural Areas, Hiking, Walking Trails
A great selection of antique clocks, old radios, globes and scales and art and well, stuff guys like to buy when their wives aren't looking. Of course there's plenty of things for women to buy when their husbands aren't looking, too. Consignments cheerfully accepted and swapping is an option, too. The shop is at 81 Pondfield Rd. in Bronxville. Call before you come because I am prone to keeping irregular hours.
Crabtree's Kittle House Restaurant & Inn, serving New American cuisine, is located at Eleven Kittle Road, Chappaqua, NY 10514 in Westchester County. Crabtree's Kittle House Inn offers 12 guest rooms; the former stables have been transformed into a wine cellar that holds one of the "greatest collections of fine wines on earth".
Pruyn Sanctuary Butterfly and Hummingbird Garden is located at 275 Millwood Road (Route 133), Chappaqua, NY. Pruyn Sanctuary is a demonstration garden within a six-acre native arboretum surrounded by a 92-acre parcel of protected open space. The garden features over 125 types of annual and perennial flowering plants selected to be food or nectar plants for butterflies, honey bees and hummingbirds. A drip pool attracts birds. Over 40 species of butterflies and moths, and three dozen species of birds are drawn to the garden.
The garden is within the four acre Pruyn Arboretum and meadow that has over 40 species of labeled trees and shrubs. A map and plant list of the arboretum is available. The Pruyn Garden is specially designed and maintained as a habitat to attract, nourish and shelter a variety of butterflies and moths, and ruby-throated hummingbirds. The plants are labeled and a plant list is available. The best time to view butterflies and hummingbirds is warm, sunny summer days during midday. Press "Blue Button" for more information about Pruyn Sanctuary Butterfly and Hummingbird Garden.
Park and Garden Attractions Hiking, Birding, Wildflowers and quiet views over the surrounding wetland, dogs are permitted on leashes.
Saw Mill River Audubon is a local organization with 800 members from twenty communities in Westchester County, New York. Members of Saw Mill River Audubon are part of a dynamic, involved community of people who love the outdoors and desire to learn more about and protect the natural world. We have worked for fifty years to protect natural ecosystems through education, advocacy, and habitat conservation. We were chartered as a chapter of National Audubon Society in 1953.
Through the work of dedicated members, board, staff, and visionary donors, Saw Mill River Audubon is recognized as a leader in environmental education and conservation in the region. Saw Mill River Audubon owns eight separate sanctuaries protecting over 300 acres of critical wildlife habitat in Westchester County. People appreciate our sanctuaries for their natural beauty and places "to get away from it all" right in their own communities.
From its inception, Saw Mill River Audubon has had a strong focus on environmental education. Each year, we bring our school-based education programs to 8,000 kindergarten through college students and offer free natural history programs and field trips to adults and families. You are invited to come to our free public programs and field trips, visit our sanctuaries and add your voice to ours to protect the natural world. Press "Blue Button" for more information about Saw Mill River Audubon.
The Chappaqua Orchestra was founded 45 years ago by a small group of musicians and music lovers, among them Dr. Boris Koutzen, the distinguished violinist, teacher, and composer, who quickly agreed to take up the baton. The February 7, 1959 premiere performance firmly established the orchestra's reputation for musical excellence. On stage were a baker, a lawyer, a doctor, a stockbroker, a minister, an artist, a postman, homemakers, music teachers and professional musicians, all of them exceptional performers.
Hailed as "The Jewel of New Castle", The Chappaqua Orchestra has served Northern Westchester since 1958. Now under the baton of Michael Shapiro, the orchestra will play diverse and challenging programs. The Chappaqua Orchestra has grown into a sophisticated ensemble of professional level artists.
Many notable artists have been associated with TCO over the years, including Joseph Fuchs, Julius Baker, Chee Yun, Allison Eldredge, Ruth Laredo, Eugenia Zukerman, Leslie Parnas, Andrew Litton, Lucie Arnaz, and Vanessa Williams. TCO also has a proud history of collaboration with young soloists who later went on to stardom, many of them proteges of longtime Music Director Norman Leyden, who also conducted the Westchester County Youth Orchestra.
Monteverde at Oldstone Manor, serving progressive American cuisine, is located at 28 Bear Mountain Bridge Road (Routes 202 and 6 West) Cortlandt Manor, NY 10567 in northwest Westchester County. This historic 1760 mansion with sweeping views of the Hudson River has been restored to include a Restaurant, Inn and Spa. Menus change frequently to take advantage of seasonal ingredients. Press "Blue Button" for menus and website.
Features Live Jazz on Friday & Saturday Sunday Brunch Wine garden (weather permitting) Inn & Spa
The word is: "Traditional entrees were expertly prepared. Nothing on the menu was off key." NY Times.
Teatown Lake Reservation is a regional environmental organization with an 834-acre nature preserve and education center located in the towns of Yorktown, Cortlandt, and New Castle, New York. In addition to being the largest non-profit nature preserve in New York's Westchester County, Teatown is rapidly developing a reputation as the "Hudson Hills and Highlands" foremost environmental organization, providing ecological and biodiversity conservation leadership in this bioregion.
The Hudson Hills and Highlands is roughly bounded by the Hudson River watershed as it traverses the hills and highlands that run along the Hudson River Valley, from Yonkers in the south to the north at Beacon and Newburgh, New York. The bioregion covers parts of five Hudson Valley counties: Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess, Rockland and Orange. However, nearly 80% of the region lies in Westchester and Putnam County. Its grounds include two lakes and over 15 miles of hiking trails through woodlands and meadows, streams and marsh habitats, all of which provide exciting educational opportunities.
Visit Wildflower Island. A two-acre wildflower sanctuary, home to hundreds of native and endangered species of wildflowers. Tours of the Island are led by experienced volunteer guides and are available from April 16th through September. Teatown’s abundant fields, mixed forests, lakes, streams, swamps and farm land provide a unique glimpse of the biological diversity of the region. Press "Blue Button" for more information about Teatown Lake Reservation.
Point of Interest: Teatowns's Nature Store has an excellent selection of children's science materials, toys and nature-related books, as well as adult gifts, cards, and stationary.
Park and Garden Attractions Birding, Hiking, Nature Center, Outdoor Animal Exhibits, Wildflower Island - over 230 native species of wildflowers.
The Trailside Nature Museum, established in 1937, is one of the oldest of its kind in the United States. The museum is home to a large collection of mounted animals, American Indian artifacts, educational exhibits, child-friendly interactive displays, and nature-oriented artwork. The museum hosts thousands of school children and scouts each year for a variety of educational programs including stream study, American Indian culture, maple sugaring, and badge work. Family-oriented nature programs are scheduled for the general public on nearly every weekend.
The Trailside Nature Museum is also the home of the Delaware Indian Research Center, a vast collection of books and artifacts concerning American Indians, especially the Delaware. The Research Center is well utilized by both students and educators and has assisted several authors in researching their publications. The Research Center is open to the public by appointment.
The Trailside Nature Museum is located at the 4,315-acre Ward Pound Ridge Reservation, the county’s largest park. Park terrain is extremely varied, ranging from deep hollows to ridges that rise up more than 800 feet. There are hemlock gorges, dry uplands, wetlands, ponds, and two rivers, all connected by 35 miles of trails. Many of the old farm roads are now used as hiking and cross-country ski trails, and other signs of the old farms exist in the form of stonewalls, foundations and cellar pits.
Point of Interest: Directly outside the Trailside Nature Museum, there is a one-half acre wildflower garden containing more than 80 different kinds of labeled wildflowers.
Croton Gorge Park is a 97acre property at the base of the Croton Dam, and affords impressive views of the dam and spillway. The park is a popular spot for fishing, picnicking and hiking, with direct trail access to New York State’s Old Croton Aqueduct. The park is also available in winter for cross-country skiing and sledding.
Brinton Brook Sanctuary is located in Croton-on-Hudson, in the beautiful Hudson River Valley, Westchester County, NY. Brinton Brook Sanctuary offers three miles of hiking trails through a wide variety of habitats. The trails of Brinton Brook Sanctuary connect to the Highland Trail, part of the Croton-on-Hudson village trail system. Brinton Brook is a good place to enjoy hiking, birding, wildflowers and scenic vistas. Brinton Brook is our largest sanctuary and was the first managed by Saw Mill River Audubon. Management rights to an additional 27 acres were obtained from the Village of Croton-on-Hudson in 1998 raising the total area to 156 acres. Press "Blue Button" for trail maps and more about Brinton Brook Sanctuary.
Park and Garden Attractions Hiking, Birding, Guided Tours, Dogs are permitted on leashes.
The Croton Point Nature Center and Discovery Trail are located in the 504-acre Croton Point Park, which is situated on the largest peninsula of the Hudson River in Croton-on-Hudson. The scenic discovery trail winds its way through the park, enabling visitors to explore the Croton Point's many plant and wildlife species, including painted turtles and a variety of frogs, as well as its unique historical features.
The Croton Point Nature Center located on the northwest tip of the park, displays exhibits about the Hudson River, local history, flora and fauna, and archeology. The center hosts weekly programs, including nature walks, presentation on area history, and arts and crafts workshops. The center is also the headquarters for the Material Archives and Laboratory for Archaeology.
There are four miles of Hudson River shoreline to explore. The park, which also winter Bald Eagles, is an Important Bird Area (IBA). A capped landfill is now a vast meadow abundant in species of birds and butterflies. The park's historical structures have been designated as a historic district.
Special Interest: Treaty Oak Monument, Meadow, Brickyard Excavation, Teller's Point and English Yews, Croton Bay, The Wine Cellars, Conifer Forest
Attractions include: Birding Cross-Country Skiing Cultural History Programs Hiking / Walking Nature Study
Croton Point Park is a 508 acre park. This park offers year-round events and activities. including camping, hiking and swimming. Also, home of wine cellars, thought to be the oldest in NY and The Croton Point Nature Center which offers a year-round schedule of interpretive programs.
Parks attractions include: Camping, Hiking Trails / Walking, Nature Center, Swimming, Wine Cellars
Van Cortlandt Manor, situated on the banks of the Croton River in Croton-on-Hudson, New York, is a working estate and elegant country house that brings the new nation period vividly to life. The history of the estate is richly documented and the manor house contains primarily original furnishings, which provides an element of authenticity rarely seen in house museums.
A National Historic Landmark, the 18th-century stone manor house is the centerpiece of the property. It features a fine collection of Georgian and Federal period furnishings, many original to Van Cortlandt Manor. Of particular note is an extraordinary kitchen on the ground floor, with original hearth, beehive oven, and extensive collection of cooking equipment and utensils. Also on the grounds is an 18th-century tavern situated on the historic Albany Post Road at the site of a ferry crossing over the Croton River. The tavern showcases an extraordinary collection of vernacular Hudson River Valley furnishings and evokes fascinating tales of travel and transport in the post-revolutionary period. Press "Blue Button" for photos and more information about Van Cortlandt Manor.
Attractions include: Guided tours of the house and grounds, Stone manor house, Tenant farmer's house and tavern, Gardens, Costumed guides demonstrate and invite visitors to try blacksmithing, brick making, open-hearth cooking and more from the past.
During the 1830s New York City was in dire need of a fresh water supply to combat the steady rise of disease and to fight fires. In 1837 a 41 mile aqueduct and dam was designed in order to run water from the Croton River to New York City. Three to four thousand workers, mostly Irish immigrants earning up to $1.00 per day, completed the masonry marvel in just five years.