Locust Grove Estate

11/10/2021

Thanks to Jake and the scouts from Troop 25 for their work to repair damaged trails at Locust Grove last weekend!

Jake's Eagle Scout project included installing natural stone edging and spreading nearly 10 tons of gravel and stone dust on the Edgehill Road, close to the Hudson River. Instead of hopping over roots and ruts, you can now saunter over a smooth surface.

Our 5 miles of hiking trails are maintained entirely through donations and volunteers, and we're always looking for new volunteers - give Locust Grove a call if your group or business would like to help maintain our trails!

Thanks to Jake and the scouts from Troop 25 for their work to repair damaged trails at Locust Grove last weekend!

Jake's Eagle Scout project included installing natural stone edging and spreading nearly 10 tons of gravel and stone dust on the Edgehill Road, close to the Hudson River. Instead of hopping over roots and ruts, you can now saunter over a smooth surface.

Our 5 miles of hiking trails are maintained entirely through donations and volunteers, and we're always looking for new volunteers - give Locust Grove a call if your group or business would like to help maintain our trails!

10/29/2021

We're enjoying the new exhibit in Locust Grove's Transverse Gallery, more than 20 new paintings by artist Carrie Mae Smith - all inspired by ceramics from the Young Family Collection.

The painting shown here features blue and white porcelain (often called "Canton porcelain"), made in China for export to the United State in about 1850. Nearly 100 pieces in a variety of shapes are on view in the Stair Hall.

Then scroll down for a closeup photograph of a leaf-shaped bowl from this set, with a dreamy scene of Chinese-style buildings around a lake and bridge.

The show will be up through January, stop by any day from 10am - 5pm!

10/18/2021

Our heirloom peony sale has begun!

From now til we run out, we'll be selling peony rhizomes from our collection in the visitors' center shop--all peonies are from stock originally planted by the Young family 100+ years ago and have truly stood the test of time. While some are unlabeled, nearly all are pink, white, lilac or magenta and now is the perfect time to plant them!

Rhizomes come with instructions for planting and aftercare and are $15 each. Drop any questions in the comments below or stop by the garden between 10 am and 5 pm to learn more.

Our heirloom peony sale has begun!

From now til we run out, we'll be selling peony rhizomes from our collection in the visitors' center shop--all peonies are from stock originally planted by the Young family 100+ years ago and have truly stood the test of time. While some are unlabeled, nearly all are pink, white, lilac or magenta and now is the perfect time to plant them!

Rhizomes come with instructions for planting and aftercare and are $15 each. Drop any questions in the comments below or stop by the garden between 10 am and 5 pm to learn more.

09/19/2021

Give a hand to the great crew from Alpha Phi Omega (SUNY New Paltz) as they help paint Locust Grove's front fence!

The picket fence was installed by 1901 and runs for more than a quarter of a mile along Route 9 - we've been painting it for more than a century.

Volunteers help maintain Locust Grove's gardens and hiking trails, preserve historic features like this fence, and keep our grounds open free to the public - we really appreciate their help! If your organization would like to volunteer for a day on the grounds, or donate to help buy supplies, just let us know!

Give a hand to the great crew from Alpha Phi Omega (SUNY New Paltz) as they help paint Locust Grove's front fence!

The picket fence was installed by 1901 and runs for more than a quarter of a mile along Route 9 - we've been painting it for more than a century.

Volunteers help maintain Locust Grove's gardens and hiking trails, preserve historic features like this fence, and keep our grounds open free to the public - we really appreciate their help! If your organization would like to volunteer for a day on the grounds, or donate to help buy supplies, just let us know!

09/09/2021

2021 Hudson Valley Wine & Food Fest - Hudson Valley Wine & Food Fest

We're so sorry, but the Sunset Sensations Wine and Food event scheduled for Thursday September 9th has been cancelled, but we hope you can join us in October! For wine and food fun this weekend, you can also enjoy the Hudson Valley Wine and Food Fest, our great sponsors! https://www.hudsonvalleywinefest.com/event/2021-hudson-valley-wine-food-fest/

Hudson Valley Wine & Food Fest is a wine and food festival that takes place each September at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds in Rhinebeck, NY

09/06/2021

We're looking forward to a Labor Day Concert today! Join us on the mansion lawn from 2pm - 4pm for a free concert, sponsored by the American Federation of Musicians and the Music Performance Trust Fund.

The Saints of Swing (led by David Winograd and featuring Rene Baily on vocals) will be joined by The Gene Krupa II Big Band, directed by Dale DeMarco and featuring vocalist Kitt Potter.

Enjoy Big Band, Gospel, and Dixieland sounds with some R/B, Motown, Jazz, and Classic Rock thrown in.

Bring your own lawn chair or blanket, and please take all trash with you. Donations are appreciated to keep Locust Grove open to the public!

We're looking forward to a Labor Day Concert today! Join us on the mansion lawn from 2pm - 4pm for a free concert, sponsored by the American Federation of Musicians and the Music Performance Trust Fund.

The Saints of Swing (led by David Winograd and featuring Rene Baily on vocals) will be joined by The Gene Krupa II Big Band, directed by Dale DeMarco and featuring vocalist Kitt Potter.

Enjoy Big Band, Gospel, and Dixieland sounds with some R/B, Motown, Jazz, and Classic Rock thrown in.

Bring your own lawn chair or blanket, and please take all trash with you. Donations are appreciated to keep Locust Grove open to the public!

08/24/2021

Just before the rain from Henri blew through this weekend, Brandon and scouts from Troop 145 were busy installing four waterbars on the Locust Grove hiking trails - part of Brandon's Eagle Scout project.

Waterbars aren't for drinking! They divert runoff from the trail to prevent erosion and are particularly important during heavy downpours. They worked perfectly this weekend - not a sign of damage on the targeted trail section.

We hope you'll help us say thanks to Brandon - miles of trails at Locust Grove are maintained through the hard work of many, many volunteers, we couldn't stay open without them!

08/17/2021

Thanks to a gift from a generous (anonymous) donor, the potting shed is getting a much-needed makeover this week! The old roof was more than 40 years old and in rough shape. Martin, our amazing carpenter, has replaced damaged planks, installed new underlayment, and is now nailing on new cedar shingles. Here's to another 40 years! The potting shed was built about 1900 for William and Martha Young and provided storage for garden supplies - we still use it to store pots today.

Thanks to a gift from a generous (anonymous) donor, the potting shed is getting a much-needed makeover this week! The old roof was more than 40 years old and in rough shape. Martin, our amazing carpenter, has replaced damaged planks, installed new underlayment, and is now nailing on new cedar shingles. Here's to another 40 years! The potting shed was built about 1900 for William and Martha Young and provided storage for garden supplies - we still use it to store pots today.

08/10/2021

"Centered and Calm" - a new exhibit of paintings by artist Shilo Ratner - is now on view in Locust Grove's Transverse Gallery. Ratner uses layered colors to create architectural and natural landscapes - learn more about her work and vision at https://shiloratner.com. Locust Grove is open every day from 10am - 5pm. Please wear a mask when indoors; masks are not required on the hiking trails or gardens.

"Centered and Calm" - a new exhibit of paintings by artist Shilo Ratner - is now on view in Locust Grove's Transverse Gallery. Ratner uses layered colors to create architectural and natural landscapes - learn more about her work and vision at https://shiloratner.com. Locust Grove is open every day from 10am - 5pm. Please wear a mask when indoors; masks are not required on the hiking trails or gardens.

05/17/2021

We are really excited to be sharing divisions of our dahlia tubers in the visitors' center gift shop for the first time!

While dahlias must be grown as an annual plant in the Northeast, all varieties increase their underground storage roots each year and, much like a potato, these hefty roots can then be lifted, stored over the winter in a cool, dry place and then re-planted the following spring.

Many of the varieties we grow are pre-1965 heirlooms, and some are now quite hard to find. We've saved the biggest and bloom-iest of these tubers for division so that you can appreciate dahlias not only in our flower gardens, but also at home or in a community garden plot.

More information on care and feeding is available via a fact sheet in the visitors' center, but please feel free to drop questions in the comments below, too. Happy planting!

We are really excited to be sharing divisions of our dahlia tubers in the visitors' center gift shop for the first time!

While dahlias must be grown as an annual plant in the Northeast, all varieties increase their underground storage roots each year and, much like a potato, these hefty roots can then be lifted, stored over the winter in a cool, dry place and then re-planted the following spring.

Many of the varieties we grow are pre-1965 heirlooms, and some are now quite hard to find. We've saved the biggest and bloom-iest of these tubers for division so that you can appreciate dahlias not only in our flower gardens, but also at home or in a community garden plot.

More information on care and feeding is available via a fact sheet in the visitors' center, but please feel free to drop questions in the comments below, too. Happy planting!

05/01/2021

The Fairy House Hunt is on! From Friday thru Monday in May and June, visit Locust Grove to hunt for 22 Fairy Houses, hidden in the estate gardens. Tickets are $10/person, kids under 4 are free. Purchase tickets in advance through Facebook, or on our website, www.lgny.org. 10:30am - 3:30pm. We have fairy wings to purchase in the museum shop, or bring your own! All proceeds help maintain the Locust grove gardens.

The Fairy House Hunt is on! From Friday thru Monday in May and June, visit Locust Grove to hunt for 22 Fairy Houses, hidden in the estate gardens. Tickets are $10/person, kids under 4 are free. Purchase tickets in advance through Facebook, or on our website, www.lgny.org. 10:30am - 3:30pm. We have fairy wings to purchase in the museum shop, or bring your own! All proceeds help maintain the Locust grove gardens.

04/07/2021

April is membership month at Locust Grove!

While access to the grounds and trails will always be free for visitors, members receive perks like discounted tickets to events and 10% off all items in the gift shop--and many gift shop goodies are made right here in the Hudson Valley!

Memberships are especially crucial for us this year: we receive no funding from the local, state, or Federal governments, so it is your support that has kept us afloat through the financial impact of the pandemic!

As always, 100% of your membership dollars will go towards maintaining the gardens, trails, and buildings that we love and that make Locust Grove an amazing resource for the Hudson Valley. Tap link below for more details on membership options, and please drop any questions in the comments below!

https://www.lgny.org/membership

April is membership month at Locust Grove!

While access to the grounds and trails will always be free for visitors, members receive perks like discounted tickets to events and 10% off all items in the gift shop--and many gift shop goodies are made right here in the Hudson Valley!

Memberships are especially crucial for us this year: we receive no funding from the local, state, or Federal governments, so it is your support that has kept us afloat through the financial impact of the pandemic!

As always, 100% of your membership dollars will go towards maintaining the gardens, trails, and buildings that we love and that make Locust Grove an amazing resource for the Hudson Valley. Tap link below for more details on membership options, and please drop any questions in the comments below!

https://www.lgny.org/membership

03/31/2021

Miss Thompson not only had the most stylish biking outfits at Locust Grove, she also worked as a tutor~
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. Like many young women of her generation, Annette Young didn't attend formal school or college. She was tutored at home by a number of different educators. Instructors came daily or weekly to Locust Grove to teach subjects like History, Geography, Latin, Drawing, Math, and Music. Numerous entries in Annette's diary note lessons, exams, and prizes awarded by Miss Thompson during the decade she worked for the Youngs. Annette often received works of art as prizes, and carefully noted on the back why they were won.

Miss Thompson not only had the most stylish biking outfits at Locust Grove, she also worked as a tutor~
.
.
.
. Like many young women of her generation, Annette Young didn't attend formal school or college. She was tutored at home by a number of different educators. Instructors came daily or weekly to Locust Grove to teach subjects like History, Geography, Latin, Drawing, Math, and Music. Numerous entries in Annette's diary note lessons, exams, and prizes awarded by Miss Thompson during the decade she worked for the Youngs. Annette often received works of art as prizes, and carefully noted on the back why they were won.

03/24/2021

Thank you Annette for founding Locust Grove!

Although Martha Young (Annette's mother)--was the collector in the family, it was Annette who carefully documented the history of so many pieces in Locust Grove's collection and eventually transformed her home into a museum. Her handwritten notes are tucked into vases, glued to the back of furniture, and hidden behind paintings all over the house! ✉️

Annette also donated many items from her family's collection to other museums, including the Yale University Art Gallery, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Albany Institute of History and Art. The many documents that Annette saved, which include everything from correspondence, to bills, to ephemera--such as greeting cards, seed catalogues, and garden society bulletins-- provide unusual insight into the life of a family that shaped the Hudson Valley for generations.

📷 Annette is pictured here in a photograph taken in 1903, along with her notes on a painting by artist Sandford Gifford, acquired by her grandfather and now in the collection at Locust Grove.

Thank you Annette for founding Locust Grove!

Although Martha Young (Annette's mother)--was the collector in the family, it was Annette who carefully documented the history of so many pieces in Locust Grove's collection and eventually transformed her home into a museum. Her handwritten notes are tucked into vases, glued to the back of furniture, and hidden behind paintings all over the house! ✉️

Annette also donated many items from her family's collection to other museums, including the Yale University Art Gallery, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Albany Institute of History and Art. The many documents that Annette saved, which include everything from correspondence, to bills, to ephemera--such as greeting cards, seed catalogues, and garden society bulletins-- provide unusual insight into the life of a family that shaped the Hudson Valley for generations.

📷 Annette is pictured here in a photograph taken in 1903, along with her notes on a painting by artist Sandford Gifford, acquired by her grandfather and now in the collection at Locust Grove.

03/16/2021

As a desirable wedding destination, we are excited to welcome couples to say their "I Do's" in Dutchess! After an unprecedented year, and with some new state guidelines in place, we look forward to a memorable 2021 wedding season! Start planning your Hudson Valley wedding by browsing our top venues! Read more:
https://dutchesstourism.com/spotlights/wedding-venues-in-dutchess-county

03/15/2021

Martha Young ("Dolly" to her husband and "Mama" to her children) was an irrepressible collector: we have Martha to thank for the eclectic decorating schemes at Locust Grove! Though family heirlooms form the core of the collection, for decades Martha Young also haunted local estate sales and auctions. Rather than reproducing a particular time period or style, Martha was drawn to a wide array of paintings, antiques, and decorative objects, and the rooms at Locust Grove reflect her wide-ranging taste.

Martha Young ("Dolly" to her husband and "Mama" to her children) was an irrepressible collector: we have Martha to thank for the eclectic decorating schemes at Locust Grove! Though family heirlooms form the core of the collection, for decades Martha Young also haunted local estate sales and auctions. Rather than reproducing a particular time period or style, Martha was drawn to a wide array of paintings, antiques, and decorative objects, and the rooms at Locust Grove reflect her wide-ranging taste.