Lyndhurst, 635 South Broadway, Tarrytown, NY 10591, 914-631-4481. This Gothic Revival mansion was originally designed in 1838 by American architect Alexander Jackson Davis for former New York City mayor William Paulding, Jr. Paulding named his country villa “Knoll.” In 1864 Davis doubled the size of the house for its second owner, George Merritt, who renamed it “Lyndenhurst” after the Linden trees growing on the property. In 1880 railroad baron Jay Gould purchased the estate, maintaining it as his summer home and country retreat until his death in 1892. The mansion and what is now a 67-acre estate remained in the Gould family until 1961 (it once exceeded 500 acres). The house and grounds are now a property of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

The grounds and outbuildings are a fine example of 19th century landscape design. Much of the layout was accomplished by master gardener Ferdinand Mangold, whose tenure spanned both Merritt and Gould ownership of the property. Both Mangold and Merritt are buried nearby in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery. Paulding is in the adjacent churchyard of the Old Dutch Church. Jay Gould is further away in a private mausoleum in Woodlawn Cemetery.

Fans of the 1960s television series Dark Shadows may recall that Lyndhurst in served as the Collinwood estate in the feature-length films House of Dark Shadows (1970) and Night of Dark Shadows (1971). Sleepy Hollow Cemetery’s receiving vault made a cameo in House of Dark Shadows as the Collins family mausoleum.

The grounds are host to annual craft fairs and other special events. See www.lyndhurst.org for current ticket prices and tour times. Other rates apply for special events.

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Thanksgiving Weekend

Visitors can explore Lyndhurst this weekend without a guided tour. See the mansion transformed into an extravagant wonderland of holiday splendor. Dozens of Christmas trees are expertly decorated and designed to complement the elegant period furnishings within the rooms of the house. The curators bring out rarely seen items that belonged to Lyndhurst’s former owners, the Goulds, allowing an opportunity to see many of these glittering possessions usually tucked away in the archives.

See why Lyndhurst was voted one of the “Ten Best Historic Holiday Tours” by USA Today. From traditions to trends, Lyndhurst celebrates the season in style and glamour.

Tour guides will be posted throughout the house to answer questions.

Where: Lyndhurst, 635 South Broadway, Tarrytown NY 10591

2021 Dates: November 26-28.

For information and tickets: https://lyndhurst.org/events/holiday-opening-weekend/

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Sherlock Holmes: A Scandal in Bohemia, at Lyndhurst Mansion

Red Monkey Theater Group and M&M Performing Arts bring another fast-paced Sherlock Holmes Adventure to Lyndhurst this fall. Join Sherlock Holmes (Tal Aviezer) and Dr. Watson (Michael Muldoon) at the inimitable Lyndhurst Mansion, where a mysterious masked visitor (Steve Plaushin) calls on them to assist in a matter of royal proportions. Together with the famous detectives, enter a world of blackmail, disguise, and intrigue, where the fate of two countries rests in the hands of a single woman. Holmes and Watson need every ounce of ingenuity they can muster to outwit the notorious Irene Adler (Amy Frey).

Sherlock Holmes: A Scandal in Bohemia is directed by Melinda O’Brien with stage management by Emmy Schwartz and Nan Weiss. Performances will take place entirely in the Parlor of Lyndhurst Mansion. The play runs for about one hour without an intermission, but plan on 90 minutes including check-in at the Welcome Center.

Performance Schedule:
Thursday: 7:30 pm.
Friday: 7:30 pm.
Saturday: 3:30 pm and 5:30 pm up to Nov. 25th, 5:30 and 7:30 pm after.
Sunday: 3:30 pm and 5:30 pm, up to Nov. 25th, 5:30 and 7:30 pm after.

Where: Lyndhurst, 635 South Broadway, Tarrytown NY 10591

2021 Dates: November 12-14, 18-21, 27-28. December 2-5.

For information and tickets: https://lyndhurst.org/events/winter-theater/

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Mr. Dickens Tells a Christmas Carol

This one-hour play recreates the famous performance tour by Charles Dickens in 1867 with his classic tale bringing the travails of Ebenezer Scrooge, Bob Cratchit, and Tiny Tim alive. Taken from the original script, actor Michael Muldoon plays Charles Dickens and tells the well-loved tale in the parlor of the beautifully decorated Lyndhurst Mansion meeting the different spirits and characters. A newspaper wrote of Dickens at the time, “He gave to every character a different voice, a different style, a different face.” We have endeavored to bring this spirit to our adaptation in a historic period setting.

Performances will take place in the parlor of Lyndhurst Mansion from December 10th  - 23rd, 2021, General Admission. Tickets are $45 for all seats.

The play runs without intermission. Please plan on 90 minutes including check-in at the Lyndhurst Welcome Center.

Performance Schedule:
Fridays 12/10 and 12/17: 7:30 pm.
All other evenings 5:30 pm and 7:30 pm.

Where: Lyndhurst, 635 South Broadway, Tarrytown NY 10591

2021 Dates: December 10-12, 17-23.

For information and tickets: https://lyndhurst.org/events/mr-dickens-tells-a-christmas-carol/