The historic Locust Grove Estate is a museum, education center and nature preserve, located in Poughkeepsie, New York - the heart of the Hudson Valley.
(92)
Locust Grove offers something for everyone, from guided tours of the historic gardens and mansion to public events for kids and adults. From five miles of hiking trails on nearly 200 acres of gardens and grounds to exquisite original collections of furniture, paintings, and decorative arts, to beautifully restored buildings, you can spend an hour or a day. More than 60,000 annual visitors enjoy tours, concerts, programs, and workshops - please join us!
Operating as usual
He *could* have just brought a mini-fridge, but instead, Innis Young chose to drag an entire antique Chippendale desk with him when he first moved into a dormitory at Harvard in 1910. The desk in question--currently wedged into the back corner of Innis's childhood bedroom--was made in New York around 1750 and is an especially hefty example of a secretary desk.
#MondayMemories Can you tell us where this photo was taken at Locust Grove? What looks familiar to you and what has changed? Drop guesses and questions in the comments below!
The house at Locust Grove holds the collection of the Young Family, who lived here from the 1890's until Annette Young's death in 1975. The residents of this house saw changes both large and small, local and national during their lifetime.
Each year, we welcome over 5,000 students to the house to share these stories. Your donations are especially critical this year, as we have lost the majority of our income. We hope you'll keep us in your giving plans this season; each dollar will help preserve not only Locust Grove's collections but the stories they tell for years to come!
https://www.lgny.org/donate
Happy Monday from the mansion--hope you're finding your own sunny corner today!
Happy Flower Friday from the greenhouse!
Siberian primroses were first planted at Locust Grove in the late 1800's, but haven't been seen on the grounds in many years. Today the plants we started from seed in March are headed out to the garden!
Did you know the roots of many perennial plants will continue to grow until the ground freezes solid--usually sometime in January?? True to its common name, this primrose is especially hardy and doesn't mind a December planting date at all.
Keep an eye out next spring for these small but mighty blooms!
đż Today kicks off our winter fundraising drive!
With the generous help of so many of you, we've been able to stay open most of this year and safely welcome visitors, micro weddings, scavenger hunts, volunteers, and more. Thousands of you visited the grounds this summer, and we know how important peaceful green places of respite are, especially this year. We are happy to be a place where locals and visitors to the Hudson Valley alike can stroll through gardens, snap photos with friends and loved ones, and take pups for walks!
We have lost the bulk of our income as a result of pandemic-related closures and so we are asking for your help in getting us through the winter. Admission to the grounds and trails is always free, and your donations will help us open as early as possible in the spring. Every dollar we receive will directly support our operations!
Many heartfelt thanks for all of you who've supported Locust Grove this year--we're looking forward you to seeing you in the spring!
To keep our staff and visitors safe, Locust Grove's buildings and grounds will be closed this year from November 30th through April 1st. We had a record number of visitors this season--twice the usual number!--and we will miss seeing you over the winter. We're already looking forward to spring, when we can welcome you back with daffodils, flowering dogwoods, and these beautiful swamp violets, spotted along the trails earlier this year!
We're incredibly grateful for all the donors, volunteers, and visitors who helped keep our doors open free of charge this summer. We lost over 80% of our income as a result of the pandemic and could not have done it without your support. Your dollars, volunteers hours, encouraging messages, tool donations, and more kept us going!
Memberships and donations of any size are especially helpful this year--they will help us plan for the season ahead and stay open as often as we can. Head to our website for more info, or drop any questions in the comments below. Sending you all best wishes for a safe and cozy holiday season đż
Don't miss the last weekend of the Harvest Hunt in the Garden!
October 31 and November 1 are your final chance to explore Locust Grove's grounds as the leaves change color!
It's up to you to find two dozen pumpkins decorated by our amazing volunteers.
We'll supply a map and instructions to their hidden locations, you should bring your imagination (costumes are a plus!).
Kids under 4 are free, tickets ($10) required for everyone else. Make sure to purchase tickets in advance through Facebook, or the link on Locust Grove's website.
Tickets are limited to make sure all visitors have plenty of space, and masks are required if you can't keep at least 6 feet from other visitors.
Our apologies, but restrooms are currently closed to the public.
Tickets are now available for the Harvest Hunt in the Garden!
As the leaves change color, search the nooks and crannies of the Locust Grove grounds to find two dozen decorated pumpkins!
We'll supply a map and instructions to their hidden locations, you should bring your imagination (costumes are a plus!).
Kids under 4 are free, tickets ($10) required for everyone else. Make sure to purchase tickets in advance through Facebook, or the link on Locust Grove's website.
The Harvest Hunt will run daily from Saturday October 10 through Sunday November 1.
Tickets are limited to make sure all visitors have plenty of space, and masks are required if you can't keep at least 6 feet from other visitors. Rain will cancel event.
Our apologies, but restrooms are currently closed to the public.
Come Sunday and Monday to enjoy the beautiful weather and Locust Grove's Fairy House Hunt!
Search the grounds for 20 Fairy Houses, hidden in the gardens. Bring your imagination and fairy wings, we'll provide a map and inspiration! Tickets are $10/person, kids under 4 are free. Purchase tickets in advance through Facebook, or use the link on our website www.lgny.org. But don't delay, tickets are nearly sold out! First entry at 10:30 each day, last entry at 3pm.
All proceeds help maintain the Locust Grove grounds!
Just 10 more days of the Fairy House Hunt at Locust Grove!
Tickets are available every day through September 7th, but after that you'll have to wait until next year!
Search the nooks and crannies of the Locust Grove grounds to find 20 hidden fairy houses on an enchanted walk. We'll supply a map and instructions, you should bring your imagination (fairy wings and costumes are a plus!). Kids under 4 are free, tickets required for everyone else. Make sure to purchase tickets in advance through Facebook, or on our website: www.lgny.org.
Tickets are limited to make sure all visitors have plenty of space, and masks are required if you can't keep at least 6 feet from other visitors.
Our apologies, but restrooms are currently closed to the public.
đłWeâre so close to our goal of $5,000 and really grateful to everyone who is helping us reopen the trails after tropical storm Isaias swept through. We so appreciate your donations and the hard work of our trail volunteers!đŞ
Donations will allow us to call in the professionals and take down some remaining trees that are too large for our staff and volunteer crew.đˇââď¸đą
While our trails are closed, the gardens and grounds are open each day from 10 AM til 5 PM. Weâll keep you posted as trail work progresses and hope to share this view again soonâjust in time for leaf-peeping season! đ
We've had so much fun hiding our Fairy Houses - we hope that you've had as much fun finding them!
If you haven't made it yet, we've added another week of tickets so that even more people can enjoy the excitement! Tickets are now available through September 7th, but after that you'll have to wait until next year!
Search the nooks and crannies of the Locust Grove grounds to find 20 hidden fairy houses on an enchanted walk. We'll supply a map and instructions, you should bring your imagination (fairy wings and costumes are a plus!). Kids under 4 are free, tickets required for everyone else. Make sure to purchase tickets in advance through Facebook, or on our website: www.lgny.org.
Tickets are limited to make sure all visitors have plenty of space, and masks are required if you can't keep at least 6 feet from other visitors.
Our apologies, but restrooms are currently closed to the public.
Special thanks to Louisa Vilardi Photography for the great photo!!
A huge thanks to the 75 donors who have contributed more than $2,500 to help restore our hiking trails after damage from Tropical Storm Isaias!
We're more than half way to our goal of $5,000! If you walk your dog or hike at Locust Grove, please consider making a contribution to help us re-open. 5 miles of beautiful trails await!
All trails are currently closed due to downed trees, but the gardens are open from 10am - 5pm every day.
Donate online through our website:
https://www.lgny.org/donate
Or drop some cash in the donation box in the lobby!
Locust Grove does not receive operating support from the local, State, or Federal government. Your donations are our only income!
We need your help!
This long view over our fields to the Hudson River is our favorite, but swipe to see what our trails look like now. Tropical Storm Isaias hit us hard.
Locust Groveâs gardens are open but all trails are closed until we can raise $5,000 to remove a dozen large trees blocking the roads. Volunteers are working hard but we need the professionals!
If all our followers could donate $20 today, weâd be done! Donate through our website, www.lgny.org, or by dropping cash in the box in the main lobby! Please and thank you!
Letâs talk fall veggies! When do you plant? And which varieties? How do you ease cool weather crops through steamy August temps? All this (and more!) on Fridayâs garden tour!
We meet Fridays at 1:00 PM and Saturdays at 11:00âdonât forget your mask!
Tickets are free for members and volunteers, $15 for all others. Purchase tickets through Facebook, or the link on our website www.lgny.org!
Care and feeding of melons and squash will be this weekâs garden tour mini-tutorial! While these plants can sometimes be tricky to grow, the delicious rewards are totally worth the effort. And mark your calendars, next week (August 14 and 15) we'll be talking about starting fall crops in the heat of the summer.
Tours start at 1 PM on Fridays and 11 AM on Saturdays. Bring a mask, and your squash-related tales of woe (or success!).
Tickets available now available for both weeks. Free for members and garden volunteers, and $15 for all others. See you out in the garden soon! Purchase tickets online through Facebook, on our website www.lgny.org, or call 845-454-4500 for reservations for members.
The Fairy Hunters are here! We had tons of fun with lots of families on our first day - mark your calendars to come out one day this month and find the houses yourself!
You can purchase tickets through Facebook, or through our website, www.lgny.org. Tickets are available everyday from 10:30am - 3pm. $10/person, kids under 4 are free.
Apologies, but due to inclement weather, the hunt has been cancelled for Tuesday August 4th. If you already purchased tickets, just give us a call to reschedule.
We're looking forward to our Fairy House Hunt, starting Monday August 3rd!
Tickets are now available for the first two weeks, and we will be releasing more tickets soon.
Purchase tickets online through Facebook or the Locust Grove website, www.lgny.org for the day and time that works for you, then check in at Locust Grove to pick up your map and instructions! Kids under 4 are free, tickets required for everyone else. The House Hunt will run from August 3 - 30, so you have plenty of time to enjoyđ
Keep your eye out for fairies, and other visitors too - thanks to photographer Patrick J. Watson for the great shot of a butterfly enjoying a purple coneflower this week!
We're excited to host our popular Fairy House event - Secrets in the Garden - in a new format this year!
To give visitors the chance to enjoy the program while keeping safely distant from other guests, we're extending the program from just one weekend to the entire month of August.
Keep your eye on social media or on our website for details on the new Fairy House treasure hunt, starting on August 3rd! Tell all your friends!
We're continuing to have fun with Wilderstein Historic Site during our mini virtual exhibit!
Today we're featuring an otophone usually on display in Innis Young's bedroom.
Innis, who moved with his parents to Locust Grove in 1895 at the age of 8, was almost entirely deaf by the early 20th century. He purchased this otophone (an early hearing aid) from the E.B. Meyerowitz Company of New York in 1919 after a number of medical treatments failed to improve his hearing. The otophone works by holding the flat side to the userâs ear and pointing the horn toward the person speaking. A diaphragm inside theoretically amplifies the sound (though weâre not sure how well it really worked!).
Innis' sister, Annette Young, founded the museum at Locust Grove in 1975 and included in her bequest many of her brother's possessions.
Though the mansion is still closed to the public, you can still enjoy some of our favorite pieces. Keep an eye on our social media pages, or visit https://www.lgny.org/virtual-exhibits for the entire show.
Thanks to photographer Patrick J. Watson for donating his time to make us look good!
Weâre very happy to announce that garden tours will begin in just a couple short weeks!! For this first round, weâll be talking heirloom perennial flowers, mid-summer veggies and, of course, tomatoes.
Beginning July 31st, weâll meet on Fridays at 11 am and on Saturdays at 1 pm.
Weâll be demonstrating how we prune tomatoes for maximum deliciousness and plant health, and weâll also share the varieties we love the most, so please bring all the questions about your garden and oursâcanât wait to see you out in the garden soon!
Tickets are free for our members and $15 for all others. We ask that you bring a mask and sign up ahead of time, as we have a limited number of space for each tour. 845-454-4500 for tickets and reservations.
Flowers in the mansion continue today! Snapdragons and Sweet William (Dianthus barbatus) from the garden perch on an 18th-century desk in the Drawing Room, below a copy of a painting by Hans Memling. Our historic buildings are still closed to the public, but we hope these sneak peeks will bring you joy!
In a museum version of social distancing, arrangements styled by our great gardener, Claire Davis, were positioned for photos only, then removed to protect museum objects from falling petals and drops of water. No objects were harmed during this shoot. Thanks to photographer Patrick J. Watson for donating his time (and patience!).
Interested in learning more about the gardens at Locust Grove? Join us for all-new garden tours with Claire Davis each Friday at 1pm and Saturday at 11am begining July 31. Each week will have a different theme. On July 31 and August 1 learn more about heirloom flowers in the cutting garden, then enjoy a demonstration on best practices for pruning tomatoes in the vegetable garden.
Tours are free for Locust Grove members, and $15 for non-members. Reservations are recommended as tour size is limited. 845-454-4500 for reservations and tickets.
The cutting garden at Locust Grove is always beautiful thanks to Claire Davis, our amazing gardener! Today visitors enjoy it from the garden paths, but did you know it was designed a century ago to provide cut flowers for the mansion's rooms?
The furniture and vases are now too fragile (and sensitive to water) to regularly display real flowers, but we worked with photographer Patrick J. Watson to recreate what some of the rooms may have looked like with flowers in bloom this week.
In the dining room, a 19th-century marble centerpiece overflows with an arrangement of plants native to the East Coast. Look for Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta, ordered in 1902), Blue wild indigo (Baptisia australis), and Fleabane (Erigeron annuus).
Locust Grove's gardens and grounds are open daily from 10am - 5pm, donations are appreciated to help maintain them! Please wear a mask if you can't keep 6 feet from other visitors, make sure to check in and check out at the front desk, and take trash with you - Locust Grove is carry-in, carry-out.
We're excited to partner with Wilderstein Historic Site for a mini virtual exhibit from both our collections.
Pictured here is an ornithological specimen group (we call it the Bird Bouquet!) usually on view in the Drawing Room. Specimen groups like this one were common features in Victorian households. Variations include flowers crafted from paper, shells, or wax, (invariably protected under glass) but birds carefully mounted and preserved were a popular way to bring color and nature indoors.
Today most people prefer their birds alive!
This example was presented to Annette Youngâs grandfather, George Innis, in 1865 by Poughkeepsieâs 150th New York State Infantry Regiment in gratitude for his âuntiring effortsâ to support the Union during the Civil War. Look for the Cedar Waxwing, Scarlet Tanager, and Baltimore Oriole.
Though the mansion is still closed to the public, you can still enjoy some of our favorite pieces. Keep an eye on our social media pages, or visit https://www.lgny.org/virtual-exhibits for the entire show.
Thanks to photographer Patrick J. Watson for donating his time to make us look good!
2683 South Rd
Poughkeepsie, NY
12601
| Monday | 10:00 - 17:00 |
| Tuesday | 10:00 - 17:00 |
| Wednesday | 10:00 - 17:00 |
| Thursday | 10:00 - 17:00 |
| Friday | 10:00 - 17:00 |
| Saturday | 10:00 - 17:00 |
| Sunday | 10:00 - 17:00 |
Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Locust Grove Estate posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Send a message to Locust Grove Estate:
Our fairies have been hard at work, prepping their homes for June 22nd and 23rdâs âSecrets in the Gardenâ fairy house hunt event! We canât WAIT to see what theyâve done with them! ⨠. . Donât forget to follow us on Instagram (@locustgroveestate) for the latest on all things Locust Grove!
Update!
Our behind-the-scenes mansion tour is TONIGHT! On it, youâll have VIP access to explore parts of the mansion not on our usual tour, like LGâs Tower Guest Suite and China Room. From one frequenter of the mansion: âIf I could pick a second home for myself in the Hudson Valley, it might be the china pantry at Locust Grove. Flowery plate collecting bliss!â Donât miss the chance to see it for yourself! Call 845-454-4500 to reserve your spot đ¸ P.S. Follow us on #instagram @locustgroveestate for the lastest news, events, and info on all things Locust Grove!
The Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center
124 Raymond AveThe Culinary Institute of America Burnt Food
1946 Campus Dr, Hyde ParkRoosevelt Presidential Library
Hyde ParkEleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site
Route 9G, Hyde ParkFranklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library an
4079 Albany Post Rd, Hyde ParkHome of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Histor
4097 Albany Post Rd, Hyde ParkSports Museum of Dutchess County
81 Carnwath Farms Lane, Wappingers FallsPleasant Valley Historical Society
1624 Main Street, Pleasant ValleyHyde Park Train Station Museum
34 River Rd, Hyde ParkTown of Hyde Park Historical Society
4389 Albany Post Road P. O. Box 182, Hyde Park