Dedicated to the preservation of Long Island's 'gold coast' estates and other things old.
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
'Meudon' Aerial
An aerial of 'Meudon', the William D. Guthrie estate designed by C.P.H. Gilbert c. 1900 in Lattingtown. Click HERE and HERE for more on 'Meudon'. This aerial is part of SMU's Robert Yarnall Richie collection and was taken between 1932-1934.
Not a fan of the severely pruned mature landscape and as Anon states the elongated/expanded Meudon erased some of the charming features of the original composition on the western terrace.
This definitely functioned like most other grand LI mansions of the era and day-to-day operations most certainly resembled a well established fine hotel with formal interior spaces to match, which ultimately is a very appropriate comparison for these mega-sized homes.
I love this house, its setting and wonderful formal gardens and can imagine what a wonderful place it must have been for entertaining on a truly grand scale. What a regrettable loss for Long Island!
On my fav list if for nothing else than the shear magnitude of the terraced formal gardens and the superlative stonework of the facades. Agree that nothing will ever be built like this again.
About 30 years ago, my then good friends were caretakers there and I used to go there every Sunday. At the time I had no idea how special it was, what it belonged to, etc. He tell me about how close it was to the Creek Club. I had no idea what it was. Boy, have I learned and now really appreciate that wonderful beach and the residents who came to use it.
8 comments:
Possibly off-topic:
In last week's NYSD, there was an interview with Ralph Harvard, a designer and historic preservation consultant to Monticello and other organizations.
I noticed this bit in particular:
Why do so many people want their houses to look like hotels?
Because that’s the grandest thing they’ve ever seen. That’s the nicest thing they’ve ever seen.
I liked the original Meudon, it had charm. This looks sterile.
Today's 'Big Old House' in New York Social Diary visits 'The Braes'--well worth a look.
http://newyorksocialdiary.com/node/1908605
Not a fan of the severely pruned mature landscape and as Anon states the elongated/expanded Meudon erased some of the charming features of the original composition on the western terrace.
This definitely functioned like most other grand LI mansions of the era and day-to-day operations most certainly resembled a well established fine hotel with formal interior spaces to match, which ultimately is a very appropriate comparison for these mega-sized homes.
Has anyone seen good pictures of the old bathing house, which now functions as the Lattingtown Beach Club?
I love this house, its setting and wonderful formal gardens and can imagine what a wonderful place it must have been for entertaining on a truly grand scale. What a regrettable loss for Long Island!
On my fav list if for nothing else than the shear magnitude of the terraced formal gardens and the superlative stonework of the facades. Agree that nothing will ever be built like this again.
About 30 years ago, my then good friends were caretakers there and I used to go there every Sunday. At the time I had no idea how special it was, what it belonged to, etc. He tell me about how close it was to the Creek Club. I had no idea what it was. Boy, have I learned and now really appreciate that wonderful beach and the residents who came to use it.
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