Hudson Valley Highlights

Our recent Traveling Herb Seminar explored luxurious gardens and estates situated in the Hudson River Valley. With spectacular views of the Hudson River, Washington Irving's Sunnyside was our first stop.

The costumed docents provided a tour of Irving's home and a glimpse into his family history and his many writings. Although most famous for his short stories including Rip Van Winkle and his book The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Washington Irving penned historical writings as well.

Lyndhurst is a gothic revival mansion and had a list of owners including: former New York City mayor William Paulding, merchant George Merritt and railroad tycoon Jay Gould. Lyndhurst is named for the many varieties of Linden trees that surround the mansion.

Caramoor, was the family home of the Rosen family and is now open as a center for Music and the Arts. The Rosen's collected rooms from around the world. The gardens featured an interactive exhibit on sound.

Kykuit was the mansion of the Rockefeller family, beginning with David Rockefeller to Nelson Rockefeller (4 term governor of NY state and VP during the Ford administration), and throughout the line of the family. This formidable estate (doesn't it look like a bank?) had a huge collection of sculpture and fine art but was a summer home that was clearly enjoyed by the Rockefeller family.