Tuesday, July 3, 2012

'Winfield Hall' Special Part 2

'Winfield Hall', the Frank Winfield Woolworth estate designed by C.P.H. Gilbert c. 1916 in Glen Cove.  Today's photos show the rear of the house and what remains of the formal gardens.  Click HERE for more on 'Winfield Hall'.  Photos courtesy of Eddie Crowley.








These photos were taken with expressed permission.  Winfield Hall is a private property with no public access.

14 comments:

HalfPuddingHalfSauce said...

Does anyone know when the fountain was removed? Was it during the Pall era?

magnus said...

No HPHS. I believe that the fountain was plowed under relatively recently, after Pall left. I am not sure why, but guess that the basin may have started to deteriorate.

Winfield is, to today's eyes, oddly sited, with the enormous house wedged up against the north boundary of the property. I'm sure that this had something to do with taking advantage of a view of the Sound. With that view long lost to the growth of a half mile or so of trees, the house seems even more massive and ungainly than Gilbert made it.

Another interesting note- to me anyway. Each of the main, square pillars on the balustrade that separates the house from the garden has a bronze panel on the garden side, about a foot and a half square. The panels can be unlached revealing large bronze cased floodlights. I don't know the history of outdoor decorative lighting, but my guess is that this is a very early example of something that has today become an art form.

magnus said...

And I do apologize if any of my comments yesterday came off as unduly snarky. They were truly meant in the spirit of fun, and I regret if they came off as anything other than that.

The Ancient said...

Woolworthia--

Paris in the 20s was free and easy. When Woolie Donahue, of the Woolworth fortune, came in [to the Ritz Bar] with a puma on a leash, everyone greeted him as usual, trying not to make him self-conscious. Mr. Donahue ordered a drink at the bar, where several other clients perhaps moved away a bit too perceptibly, but it was a very well-behaved puma, and we always made him welcome.

http://www.vanityfair.com/society/2012/07/paris-ritz-history-france

Read the whole thing.

Old Grey Dog said...

Again ~ THANKS to Ed Crowley and Zach for these great views on Winfield Hall ! Hopefully more of Ed's photos of Long Island estates can be seen in future postings. Looking forward to them !!!

archibuff said...

Judging by prior period photos posted here and on HPHS's blog on July 1st, which features many other great interior and exterior photos of Winfield Hall in the 1920's, the outdoor terraces and home did indeed command great views of LI Sound back in the day. The homes position reminds me much more of Newport, where large homes are wedged onto small plots, not typical of LI where larger estates were the norm.

Here, under better owners care the formal gardens would receive a much needed restoration and the numerous terrace walls, stairs, columns, loggias, fountains and statues would be cherished and not neglected. Winfield Hall is a great survivor.

Kellsboro Jack said...

The photo essay is most appreciated in case that wasn't conveyed yesterday.

Does anyone know what the balustrade is made of? Is it simply cast concrete or in the case in Winfield cut stone?

Just to put that sunken formal garden in perspective with today compared to it during the estate's height - maybe 1/4 acre vs. 3 acres?

The Down East Dilettante said...

Magnus, as the object of some of your 'snark', I assure you that all was taken in the hilarious spirit intended. And believe me, when I look at these gardens, I indeed am inspired to don something diaphanous, and frolic about, recreating the famous elephant dance in Fantasia. I knew that ballet training would come in handy someday.

magnus said...

As much as I would like to see that DED, I'm afraid you'd risk a broken ankle in that gopher holed mess that once was Winfield's garden.

magnus said...

Kellsboro- if I recall, it is a combination of the two- with the bases and capitals made of stone, and many of the other elements cast. I'll see if I can sneak a peak and confirm.

Security word of the day: Ispefre- Egyptian princess of the 18th Dynasty

Lodi said...

I have always liked this house very much, and these pictures are a real treat. But I have to say they also make me sad that this house is suffering such neglect.

Anonymous said...

This must cost Carey a fortune here on Long Island. Maybe the neglect is due to low funds to keep the place up.

HalfPuddingHalfSauce said...

Thanks magnus:)

l'il gay boy said...

I believe the siting of the house has much more to do with it's predecessor -- discount she-who-shall-not-be-named, there are others who have pointed out that Winfield Hall was built on the footprint of it's predecessor, in record time (construction running 24/7 at some point) after what was termed a "mysterious fire" by some and according to a design that appeared to be ready made before said mysterious fire.