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VANDERBILT MANSION National Historic Site |
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View from west lawn across the Hudson.
Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site is on the New York Albany Post Road, U.S. 9, at the northern edge of Hyde Park, N.Y., about 6 miles north of Poughkeepsie, N.Y. From New York City, 82 miles away, you can reach it most conveniently by automobile over the Hendrick Hudson Parkway, the Saw Mill River Parkway, the Taconic State Parkway, U.S. 55, and U.S. 9. Approaches from the New York State Throughway and U.S. 9W on the west side of the Hudson River are by the Mid-Hudson Bridge at Poughkeepsie, the Rip Van Winkle Bridge at Catskill, or the Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge at Kingston.
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Text from 1997 Edition
Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site is located on the northern edge of the town of Hyde Park, New York, 86 miles north of New York City From the Taconic State Parkway go west on N.Y. 55 to Poughkeepsie, then north on U.S. 9 (Albany Post Road) to Hyde Park. From I-87 (New York State Thruway), take Exit 18 (New Paltz) to N.Y. 299 east, then U.S. 9W south, cross the Franklin D. Roosevelt Mid-Hudson Bridge, and take U.S. 9 north to Hyde Park. |
You enter the grounds by the main gate on U.S. 9, just north of the village of Hyde Park. You leave the site by the north drive and gate on U.S. 9, near St. James Church. The exit drive affords fine views of the Hudson River and the mountains to the west.
The grounds are open every day from 9 a.m. until dark. You are welcome to spend as much time as you wish viewing them.
The mansion is open every day during the summer, June 15 through Labor Day. It is closed Mondays at other seasons, and on Christmas Day. Visiting hours are from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. The nominal admission charge to the mansion does not apply to children under 12, nor to groups of elementary and high school children, regardless of age, and accompanying adults who assume responsibility for their safety and orderly conduct.
A self-guided tour system enables you to begin your tour of the mansion immediately upon arrival. Special guide service for groups may be arranged in advance through the superintendent.
There are no accommodations for picnicking or dining at the site. These services are available in the village of Hyde Park and at Norrie State Park, 4 miles north. Overnight accommodations are available in the village.
The Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site, administered jointly with this site, is 2 miles south of the village of Hyde Park on U.S. 9. It is open at the same times as Vanderbilt Mansion.
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Text from 1997 Edition
Once you enter the park through the main gate be sure to obey the posted speed limits and watch for pedestrians, who share the road with traffic. Stop only in areas designated for parking and do not pull off the roads onto the lawns. The grounds of the estate are open from 8 a.m. to sunset every day It is a good idea to call park headquarters before your visit to get current information about fees and hours of operation, which vary by season. Stop at the visitor center for information on mansion tours and to view exhibits. The mansion may be open for guided tours or for self-guided visits, depending on the number of visitors expected at the park. Groups of ten or more who wish to visit the estate are required to make reservations in advance. Limited picnicking facilities, located north of the visitor parking lot, are available seasonally Picknicking and other recreational activities are not permitted in the historic areas south of the visitor center, You must take all your trash with you when you leave the park. The Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site and Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site are also administered by the National Park Service; both are located nearby in the town of Hyde Park. To check on hours of operation, make group reservations, or for other questions regarding these national park sites, visitors may call park headquarters between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday 914-229-9115. For more information, write: Superintendent, Roosevelt-Vanderbilt National Historic Sites, 519 Albany Post Road, Hyde Park, NY 12538. |
When Frederick W. Vanderbilt died in 1938, the Hyde Park estate was bequeathed to Mrs. James Van Alen, a niece of Mrs. Vanderbilt. Two years later, Mrs. Van Alen gave the estate to the Federal Government, and on December 18, 1940, it was designated a National Historic Site. Since that time it has been administered by the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
A superintendent, whose address is Hyde Park, N.Y., is in immediate charge. His offices are in the pavilion.
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Last Modified: Mon, Mar 4 2002 10:00:00 pm PDT |