Wilderstein Historic Site

Name: Wilderstein Historic Site
Address: 330 Morton Road, Rhinebeck, NY, 12572, US
Telephone: +18458764818
Price range: $

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Rhinebeck, NY
Wilderstein Historic Site

330 Morton RoadRhinebeck, NY 12572845-876-4818

09/01/2026

September 1, 1888:

Robin Suckely, Robert and Bessie’s third child is born at the family’s home in Orange, New Jersey.

This photograph of Robin was taken in New Jersey in 1895.

08/21/2026

The spectacular view of the Hudson River from Wilderstein includes the Esopus Meadows Lighthouse.

The original Esopus Meadows Lighthouse was built in 1838. The current lighthouse was completed in 1871 and is the last wooden lighthouse in existence on the Hudson River.

08/17/2026

While walking around the Wilderstein Carriage House you may have noticed the initials RBS on the side of the building. The initials RBS are for Robert Bowne Suckley, the owner of Wilderstein (and Daisy’s father).

If you haven’t taken a walk down to the Wilderstein Carriage House, it’s just a short walk from the trail parking.

08/11/2026

August 5, 1890:

Rutsen Suckley, Robert and Bessie’s firstborn child, dies after a brief illness. He is just short of his fifth birthday. His belongings are carefully preserved by the family.

Rutsen is pictured at left in this photograph from 1888-89, along with his mother, Elizabeth Montgomery Suckley, Robin, and Henry.

08/07/2026

When's the last time your took a guided tour of Wilderstein Historic Site? Maybe you've never taken a tour of Wilderstein.

Here's all the details.

The Wilderstein mansion is open for guided tours through October 31. Tour includes the landscape, exterior design of the mansion, first and second floors, history of the family, and video (there are multiple steps, not ADA accessible).

Days/Hours: Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
Tours at Noon, 1pm, 2pm, and 3pm.
Duration of the tour is approximately one hour.

Tickets: Admission is $20 per person.
Tickets are purchased upon arrival.
We recommend coming about 15 minutes early as space on each tour is limited.

The room shown in the photo is the White and Gold Salon.

08/03/2026

August 1888:

A boathouse is added to Wilderstein. Architect Arnout Cannon designs the boathouse in a simple rustic style to store Robert Suckley’s launch and iceboats. It is located on the Hudson shore just west of the railroad tracks.

Sadly, in 1935 the boathouse burned to the waterline and was completely destroyed.

07/22/2026

July 1991:

AFTER DAISY SUCKELY'S DEATH, A SURPRISING DISCOVERY

Immediately following the death of Daisy Suckley, Wilderstein board members began a comprehensive inventory of the contents of the house including the furniture, art, and archival materials that form the core of Wilderstein’s collection.

In Daisy’s bedroom on the third floor, a small black suitcase was discovered. The suitcase contained Daisy’s journal and 38 handwritten letters exchanged between Daisy and Franklin Roosevelt.

In 1995, historian Geoffrey Ward published excerpts from Daisy's journal and the letters she exchanged with the president in "Closest Companion, The Unknown Story of the Intimate Friendship between Franklin Roosevelt and Margaret Suckley".

"Closest Companion" and many other books are available at the Wilderstein gift shop - Thursday through Sunday, noon to 4PM.

07/17/2026

Tomorrow will be one week since our Summer Celebration: Centre Court. We are basking in the afterglow of a successful event.

We are grateful to all who attended/and or bid on our Silent Auction. Thank you to our wonderful volunteers, supporters and sponsors. The Poughkeepsie Tennis Club came out to tell us about the history of tennis in the Hudson Valley. The weather was perfect, the food and music was fine, and it was a fantastic time.

Photo credit Michael Hofmann.

07/14/2026

Our step and repeat backdrop was busy Saturday night at our Summer Celebration. So many lovely people!

Address

330 Morton Road
Rhinebeck, NY
12572

Telephone

+18458764818

Website

http://www.wilderstein.org/

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