In 1921, after purchasing a preexisting farmhouse, J. Watson Webb and wife Electra moved from 'Woodbury House' to Old Westbury. Pictured above is the house before they began extensive enlargements to suit their needs. The estate included stables and a James O'Connor designed playhouse with an indoor tennis court and pool (it's a fair guess he was also involved in the enlargements). Much of the main residence and the entire playhouse have since been demolished but the stables were converted into a private residence seen HERE. Many more photos to follow, all courtesy of Old Grey Dog.
Click HERE to see the estate in a 1966 aerial shot.
5 comments:
Much better.
This unassuming house inspired the William McCormick Blairs to commission their famous 'Colonial' house at Lake Bluff, IL from David Adler. Though I have to run right now and can't verify it exactly, the herring bone louvered front door of the Blair house either copied the front door here and/or was a gift from Mrs. Webb. And of course, as is well known, it was a visit to Mrs. Webbs 'Brick House' in Shelburne (and the same week to Henry Sleeper's 'Beauport') that set Henry Dupont on the Americana collecting spree that became Winterthur). Mrs. Webb's unpretentious country style had far-reaching reverberations.
Old Grey Dog--send me an email---I've lost yours
Is that a sky-light in picutre 4?
Interesting that they only lived at Woodbury House for 6 years before decamping to OW.
Is it possible a wing from this house stands on OW Rd? The wikimapia page on the Playhouse has a link marked 'outbuilding' that shows a small building identical to the wing in today's third photo. From the second photo it would appear this wing was at one time attached to the left of the original farmhouse in the first photo.
Nick-
^ Good eye...definitely looks like a match to me.
After 80 or 90 some odd years this rambling place was a glorified tear down, Not impressed.
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