|
( Kykuit)
Kykuit, also known as John D. Rockefeller Estate, is a preeminent 40-room National Trust house in Westchester County, New York, built by the oil businessman, philanthropist and founder of the prominent Rockefeller family, John D. Rockefeller (Senior), and his son, John D. Rockefeller Jr (Junior), enriched with art collected by a third-generation family member, the Governor of New York and Vice-President of the United States, Nelson A. Rockefeller. It has been the home to four generations of the family. "Kykuit" (pronounced kye-cut)[3] means "lookout" in Dutch (though currently spelled "kijkuit"). The actual Dutch pronunciation is kyek out, with particular emphasis on out. It is situated in Pocantico Hills, on the highest point of the local surrounds near Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow, one hour's drive north of the city. It overlooks the Hudson River at Tappan Zee and, in the distance, the New York skyline. One of America's most famous private residences, the stone mansion was constructed by the architects Chester Holmes Aldrich and William Adams Delano (Aldrich was a distant relative of Junior's wife, Abby Aldrich Rockefeller, who was involved as artistic consultant and in the interior design of the mansion). Senior had originally purchased land in the area as early as 1893, inspired by his brother William's ostentatious 204-room mansion (Rockwood Hall), which had already been built in the spectacular natural setting of the area. The Classical Revival Georgian mansion took six years to complete and was refurbished some years after initial construction, being finally completed in its present form in 1913. It is six-stories, with a mansard roof, and has two basement floors, with many interconnecting underground passageways and service delivery tunnels. It features interiors designed by Ogden Codman, Jr., collections of Chinese and European ceramics, fine furnishings and 20th century art. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1976.[1][4]
|
Kykuit Subcategories
Kykuit Articles
|
|
