You’ve heard the name, but do you know the full story of the Gilded Age’s most notorious financier — the man who once owned Lyndhurst itself? Join author Edward J. Renehan Jr. for a talk on Dark Genius of Wall Street: The Misunderstood Life of Jay Gould, King of the Robber Barons, held in the very mansion Gould called home.

A favorite resource of Lyndhurst’s own staff, Renehan’s biography goes behind the newspaper headlines to reveal a more complicated Gould: the ruthless financier, yes, but also the entrepreneurial teenager, loving father, loyal friend, and devoted husband. Widely recognized as the most accurate and readable account of his life, the book has drawn praise from the New York Times, Publishers Weekly, the Washington Post, and Barron’s, which called it a fresh, evocative take on the Gilded Age and its brutal brand of business.

The book talk and author meet & greet begin at 3 PM, followed by a reception with light refreshments at 4 PM.

Know before you go:

• General admission $15 + service fees; includes a landscape tour and the book talk
• Recommended for ages 12 and up
• This ticket does not include mansion access
• The landscape tour crosses uneven ground — comfortable shoes encouraged
• Arrive 15 minutes early; check in at the ADA-accessible Welcome Center
• Tickets are non-refundable; the talk does sell out
• For group or special-needs reservations, call 914-303-6844 in advance

Why this is a must for Sleepy Hollow visitors: There’s no better place to hear Jay Gould’s story than inside the Gothic Revival mansion he bought as his country home. Pair the talk with a fall day on the Lyndhurst estate and explore more of what’s happening across Sleepy Hollow this season.