10.10.2011

In Search of Stanford White


On several occasions I have found myself in the 
ST. JAMES 
vicinity of Long Island, NY.
St. James is a lovely town which is a short distance from my own home.

Also in the area is the  
St. James General Store
(I love the local history book section on the second floor) 
and  
Deepwell's Farm
(a historic house open for tours).

While there, my obsessive nature about research and old homes took hold of me!
(It's a birth defect I assure you.)

On those occasions I sought out the former estate of
STANFORD WHITE,
architect EXTRAORDINAIRE!
I compiled a few (less than stunning) photographs of his estate that I'd like to share with you.

There are several entrances to the estate, this being the most formal with the stone columns which clearly announce the estate,
 BOX HILL.
Below, is an additional entrance to the estate.
As you can see there are several structures on the property.
Having read Stanford White's great-granddaughter  
Suzannah Lessard's
book,
I understand that these are additional homes used by Stanford's family to this day.

 Below and to the right you see what appears to be a stable and a wooden 
POST and RAIL fence.
If I remember correctly, there had been some animals out on one of my 
forays to Box Hill.  

From the road leading to home there is an allee of trees.  
Fortunately at the time of year I took the photos the trees were bare allowing me 
a better view of Stanford's creation.
This was Stanford White's 
FAMILY HOME at BOX HILL.
 Pictured below, on the bottom left you will see remnants of one of the 
GARDEN structures at BOX HILL.
Interested in viewing original photos of BOX HILL in it's HEYDAY?
Visit this AMAZING blog that I frequent time and time again
 Below is a very poor picture of the
Wetherill Residence.
Mrs. Kate Smith Wetherill was Stanford's sister in law.  Kate was his wife Bessie Smith's sister.
The Wetherill mansion was designed by Stanford and built in 1893. 
 It is connected to Box Hill and I understand Stanford sold the Wetherill's the land that the estate now sits on.  It is quite massive and imposing with what appears to be 3-4 stories tall on one side.  It is set high on a hill overlooking the harbor. 
 A view of the harbor from near the WEATHERILL estate.
This is ST. JAMES EPISCOPAL CHURCH which is located on 25a in St. James NY.
The adjacent cemetery is the final resting place for Stanford White and his wife Bessie Smith White.
Stanford's funeral service was held here in a small gathering far from the swirling media frenzy that ensued after his murder in Manhattan.
I walked through the cemetery on the spur of the moment and was unable to find his grave.
Which indicates yet another trip to ST. JAMES is on the horizon!
To view Stanford and Bessie's head stone you can go here:

Special thanks to my new friend LANA from LIFE AT WILD BERRY COTTAGE who inspired me to complete this blog entry! 

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