An Abandoned Country Estate in Yonkers
TO CONTACT ALDER MANOR ABOUT FILMING, PHOTO SHOOTS, WEDDINGS, OR ANY OTHER RENTAL PURPOSE, EMAIL joan@theplantmanor.com. PLEASE BE SURE TO SAY YOU GOT THE CONTACT FROM SCOUTING NY!
It sits on a hill just outside of New York City, completely empty and, for years, decaying and nearly forgotten…
This is Alder Manor, and it’s without question one of the most amazing places I’ve ever had the pleasure of scouting. Built in 1912 by William Boyce Thompson, an extremely successful copper magnate, his plan was for a 72-room country estate for entertaining (he lived in New York City at the time) on 22 acres of hilltop land in then rural Yonkers.
After both he and his wife died, the mansion was traded between owners who had no use for it and eventually wound up abandoned. Thankfully, it’s been purchased in recent years, and its restoration is slowly taking shape.
When you first enter, you find yourself in the enormous Main Hall, with the huge grand staircase off to one side. This is about when you start to wonder how such a place could ever be abandoned.
Reverse of the main hall. We’re going to start by heading down that hallway…
Which leads to the incredible library:
Standing in the reverse corner, with a great stone fireplace and working chandeliers. I especially love how the books go over the doorway.
From a distance, the room looks like it’s in excellent condition. It’s only when you get a little closer that you realize how much restoration is needed. Wood is rotting, the paint is fading and chipped…This gives you a better idea (still, a great candidate for restoration):
Next door to the library is the Ballroom, with rich reds and blues complementing the mahogany woodwork:
A painting over the fireplace is still in excellent shape:
Across the hall is the dining room, as a short hallway behind where I was standing leads to the Kitchen:
Heading now upstairs…
Brings you to the second floor landing, featuring an organ…
…which connects to pipes way up on the third floor.
My favorite room in Alder Manor is just down the hall from the pipe organ: an indoor pool. On the second floor. Built in 1912.
It’d be so great to see this restored to working order. The faded lime green paint, the black and white tiling on the pool…Apparently, there used to be antique Tiffany glass here, until someone found out and stole it.
As you’re walking through the mansion, there are tons of artistic details to be found everywhere, like this bit of a ceiling painting:
Scenic door painting:
Found on another door:
This was the design on the wall abutting the stairs:
There are also a few missing details…
Besides the pool, the second and third floors are essentially endless amounts of bedrooms…
Some have been fixed up.
At the end of the second floor is a conservatory and small balcony:
The gardens behind the manor are absolutely beautiful despite their decay:
A gazebo in perfect condition, along with a pool:
A beheaded eagle greets you when you enter through this gate:
A wall with various reliefs:
A Greek theater, where plays and other entertainments were once performed:
Another pool:
A reader writes:
“I worked at the Boyce Thompson Institute for Plant Research from 1955-1978 when the Institute moved to the Cornell University campus. It’s still there and is housed in a beautiful building constructed by Cornell. I visited Alder Manor several times over the years, including two weddings. Its beauty is self evident from the photos. Col. Thompson (an honorary title) loved his gardens so much that he decided to build and endow a plant research institution to learn how plants “work”. It was finished in 1923 and dedicated in 1924.
“Shortly after the Sisters of Mercy took over the estate, a piece of pottery was discovered in a cabinet. It turned out to be extremely valuable. As I understand it, it was Etruscan and was sold for “more money than was paid for the estate”. At least that’s the story I was told.
“W.B. Thompson was quite a man. The Colonel title was bestowed upon him when he led a mission to Russia after WW I. He actually gave some money to feed Russians in poverty and became known as the ‘Red of Wall Street.'”
If you’re interested in using Alder Manor for an event, film shoot, or pretty much anything, send me an email to nycscout@gmail.com.
-SCOUT
PS – For anyone counting, there was a front hall, library, ballroom, dining room, kitchen, and conservatory. In addition, there were empty rooms on the ground floor that could have easily served as the billiard room, lounge, and study.
PPS – Across the street from the manor in FAR worse shape is the abandoned Boyce Research Institute. I took some pictures which I’ll post in a future entry.
Phenomenal! I really enjoy your site. I am a recently ‘retired’ scout in Winnipeg, Manitoba – it’s fun to see the NY perspective. I’m forwarding this one to some LM colleagues – they’re going to love it. Keep it up Scout!
Just spectacular! Thanks so much for sharing these marvellous pics of a wonderful piece of the past 🙂
I always love the blog, but this post is one of the best ever. The photos are great and the location is amazing. Thank you so much for sharing these.
Good gravy, what an amazing house. Great shots, too.
It’s sad that it’s sitting empty.
Do you know if it’s been used as a film/tv location before? And for which productions?
It totally feels like it’s a house that could have been put to good use as the Darling manse (damn DSM for shooting not-NY for NY) or for a Waldorf/Van der Woodsen/Bass retreat.
Thank you so much for posting this! Truly beautiful and a shame that it’s abandoned. This location was just featured for the majority of a Gossip Girl episode and looks like it will make a few comeback location appearances (shameless fan, I know… !)
This is INCREDIBLE! It’s hard to believe places like this exist and are so neglected. Thanks for this post.
Oh my gosh! I’m almost speechless. That coffered ceiling in the library! The shape of the pool! The pipe organ! The painted ceiling details!
Simply stunning. Wow. I hope the economic downturn doesn’t throw too much of a spanner in the work of the restoration.
And hey–there are those bucrania–the ox skulls I mentioned at your Lamb’s Theater post!
I dont’ read many blogs but this one has caught my attention. I’ll be coming back for me.
What a great find. Walking through houses like that is always fascinating and a tad spooky — but in a good way. There is so much spirit in an old big house. I wish I could have joined you. Keep up the great work!
Wow. I grew up in the NY area and always loved exploring. I can’t believe this is in Yonkers. The level of detail and ornateness is astounding.
I need to live in this house!!
Before Alder Manor was bought by Tara Circle it was part of Elizabeth Seton College run by the Sisters of Charity. The sisters lived in the manor. Some of the many rooms were used as classrooms and there was a library in the basement. I worked there as faculty from 1975 thru 1982 and was fortunate enough to have my wedding there as well.
Love your web site!
This is just amazing! It’s like my dream house…
I have fallen completely in love with the Manor. My fiance once attended classes there when it was part of Iona college. We are planning to have our wedding there. Words cannot begin to describe this amazing house. You have the most amazing feeling of being part of a bygone era when you tour it. The fact that ti was left abandoned for over a decade is just disgraceful. Howver, its remarkable its not in worse condition. While costly, most of the repairs are cosmetic and there are quite a lot of details that have been left in tact and have been in good repair.
If anyone has the chance to tour this estate, jump on it. Its worth the drive and the time. I can’t wait to watch the progress Tara Circle makes over the next few years.
Would you mind emailing the price of the venue for a wedding? I can not get in touch with anyone at the mansion. Thank you!
fantastic – i love it!!!!
im about ready to start a charity for terminally ill / special needs children & at the same venue – have a resort, for the general public to stay, whilst the children enjoy the facilities.
this place would be so ideal. i can see it alive again…. with lots of chatter, laughter & music to fill the estate….
thank you..
I worked here on a fashion shoot years ago and it is truly an astounding place to be in. The top floor is broken up into many many tiny rooms and feels rather like The Shining.
This place is awesome!
It was used as the main setting in Ghosts of Girlfriends Past!
I attended Elizabeth Seton College from 1987 – 1989. Crocodile Dundee was filmed at this location. I dormed at Bosch Hall , worked in the library as a work study student and had some of my dance classes in The Alder. I met my husband at the entrance of the college at the bus stop. Many many good memories about this college.
I hope that they re – store this beautiful location. Please keep up the good work.
this place is Ah-mazing!!!! i wonder why it was abandoned…
Fascinating. In a good sign, the website http://www.taracircle.org/ is now working, it has some additional pictures of Alder Manor.
I attended college at this property when it was Elizabeth Seton College. Even as a young person, I was able to appreciate the beauty of the grounds. There were so many spaces to explore. I read the comment from Mr. Don Bayley dated April 21, 2009 and he was actually my instructor from 1977-1979. I was a Radio/TV major and he was one of my favorite teachers! I believe he was a radio jockey ‘back in the day’!
This location has been used in: Crocodile Dundee, Mona Lisa Smile, Royal Tenenbaums, A Beautiful Mind, The Good Shepard and others. I was just there today and it is breathtaking and I’d imagine that their prices are reasonable. It’s also only 25 minutes to Midtown. Awesome location.
such a great post, and an amazing building. imagine living there…
My 7th grade television production teacher from Yonkers got married here. She madie it a class project to go here and film it. Cool place in crappy city. Such a shame!
Oh my. I think I’m in love. That is truly amazing. I’d love to see it in person!
Thank you for these pictures. I have been heartbroken since I checked out this place a few years ago & read about the disarray & destruction. I am so thrilled to see all these pictures as they conjure up such wonderful, awesome memories.
I attended Elizabeth Seton College 1966 – 1968. My first year, my dorm room was in the Alder Manor. I went swimming in the 2nd floor pool & we snuck down to the kitchen at night (a HUGE No-No).
I remember saying good-bye to my parents in the huge foyer many a Sunday night & the bursars’ office on the first floor.
I loved the Greek gardens in the back & around, & the magnificent Library. They made for wonderful School pictures.
Thank you for restoring my faith as well as warm & tender memories.
I also attended ESC from 1966 until January 1968…dropped out due to an injury…I lived in Bosch Hall…visited today, first time after all these years…just drove through…very sad to see the poor state it is in…looks abandoned… My husband was impressed with it’s beauty, in spite of its condition…I remember a very sweet girl who lived in the mansion named Consuelo, from Columbia..she was good friends with another nice girl named Gloria Pandolfe, who turned out to be a relative of a friend of our family…Chris Stoddart was my roommate and our two friends were Linda Wilson and Dot Ryan..really nice girls…I didn’t keep in touch with them, unfortunately…I loved my time there..the grounds were breathtaking! I don’t remember the name of the nun ( a Sister of Charity) who taught English Lit and Composition but she was one of the finest teachers I’ve ever had…
It’s a few years since you’ve written here but maybe you’ll get back on and see this..
Amazing! thanks
And for any other English peeps, TheClue = Cluedo
I was at this mansion last night and it was amazing. A film shoot. No heat though so we were freezing all day.
I actually attended Elizabeth Seton College from 1976-1978 (Class of 78) and I had to complete a credit for phys ed in order to keep my graduation on track. The only course left that was available was “Swimming”…..and guess where???…at the Manor Pool…so I had the pleasure of swimming through that echoed room and in that great pool pictured above for a half-semester during February…my hair would have icycles as I would then traverse the campus in time to make Don Bayley’s Broadcasting 101 class!…Later on…I also later had the pleasure of playing in a wedding band. We were contracted to play a party at the manor and we set up our equipment right next to the marble staircase. I was a night of elegance and delight….Great days…memorable times!
I took Radio and Television courses here when it was Elizabeth Seton College. One of my wonderful instructors, Don Bayley, also left a comment below. My husband also attended this school for the same degree but being 4 years apart, it wasn’t until after graduation that I met him. Still. we both feel as if it’s part of our foundation. I had classes in this beautiful house and our Cotillions were held here in one of the magnificent ballrooms. I remember running up that grand marble staircase to my Jazz dance class, passing the indoor pool. I never felt like it was spooky to be here as I have in other houses like Lyndhurst. I just felt like I belonged there. I am so happy that this house is a part of even my history!
Rather nifty find here for sure! And with all those wonderful architectural details – this mansion should definitely be restored to its original beauty! Yet another building in need – please Yonkers – pass those building permits and grant those loans in need of getting this place back to its running splendor –
Wow!! !My husband just threw me the most amazing Surprise Murder Mystery birthday party at the magnificent Alder Manor! I was floored by its beauty and elegance! What a venue! My husband rocks!!! I could not believe that such a place existed in Yonkers!
As 26 Marie pointed out, this was used quite extensively in the Royal Tenenbaums. They used it for the interiors of Margot’s home, and also in dozens of different flashbacks.
I think it was also used – at least the front exterior anyway – for the highly underrated movie, Addams Family Values. =]
This place is amazing. Right out of the movies, only real. Is this a landmark. This should never be forgotton.
when to school there 80/81 and even worked there a couple years later left just before Iona took it over. Iona came in and made the staff and students feel like they were second class. the grounds were beautiful and Iona came in and cut down most of the trees and started to sell parts of manor off and left it in the shape that it is in today
http://taracircle.org/home.html is up and working – just on it!
Thanks for an amazing website!! You have the best job, ever!
I was delighted to find this website and thread as I worked in this amazing mansion for more than 12 hours yesterday, on the new HBO series Boardwalk Empire shooting on location there. I am bookmarking this website — as I’m sure there are many local treasures to discover here. I am delighted to see all the photos here because we were limited to a few rooms and certainly didn’t have the run of the place. Thanks for demystifying — plus enhancing my appreciation for this wonderful architectural gem.
I filmed at this Location for The Royal Tenenbaums and soon after we were done A Perfect Mind filmed here
I spent a week at Alder Mansion in February of ’98 as a Locations PA for a movie called “Nora”. For most of the week I was alone and did a lot of exploring. You neglected to mention the basement! That was the coolest part of the house back then. It’s a labyrinth of bookshelves filled with books. Thousands of books. It was kind of like a maze down there with narrow isles and tiny rooms that sneak up on you. There is also a tiny elevator just inside the front door. Very cool.
Keep up the good work.
Yonkers is actually loaded with places like this. Alder Manor was also in Crocodile Dundee. I scouted for Lost in Yonkers with Martha Coolidge, but they decided to film in Ohio, I believe. Go check out Untermyer Park, just south on Broadway.
WOW! I know you posted this a year ago, but it is new to me – thanks so much for sharing these images and the story behind them. I just cannot believe that such a place had been left to ruin – I suppose much of it has to do with the fact that those that value such things do not have the funds for renovation. I’m glad the Tara Circle has stepped in – hopefully they will be able to restore the whole property.
As someone mentioned boyce thompson institute is in horrible condition however as a urban explorer i found something very interesting about all 3 sites that made up thompsons property.
Boyce was a very private person who actually made way to the building on north broadway (barely noticable unless u walk up to it) and to the institute main building through a tunnel. On my exploration i found a set of stairs in the basement of the north broadway building that went deep underground. I was by myself that day and never go subterrain without someone with me. I also found a dod (department of defense) document that showed that boyce thompson had clearance for nuclear testing. If you go to BTI cornell site they vaguely mention the testing. In the main building however there are multiple fallout chambers and local residents have told me many stories about BTI Yonkers testing.. By the way someone also stole the tiffany lamps that were in the garden and on the side of the building. Some people just live to destroy history…
I love this place and spent many happy hours wandering through the grounds before it was vandalized. Your history is sadly lacking in the 1952 through 1995 timeline. The buildings were cherished, valued and used during those years. It lay vacant and was vandalized primarily between 1995 and when Tara Circle took the Manor over to revitalize it and use it for their cultural center.
You stated “After the death of he and his wife, the mansion fell into ruin as it was traded between owners who had no use for it. ” and that is an error. After her death it was either donated to or bought by the Arch Diocese of New York and Elizabeth Seton Highschool was established there. The manor was residence for both nuns and boarding students (about 50-60). I was a boarder when my dad went on business trips, so I’ve lived there at times. In 1960 or 1961 the highschool was changed into a Junior College, and run first by the Sisters of Charity, and later by Iona College until 1995 when they sold it to the City of Yonkers. THAT is when it became abandoned until Tara Circle bought the Manor.
I need to add to my post just above.
I attended Elizabeth Seton Highschool at the Manor from 1956 through 1960. Apparently it changed to a college either that fall, or the following year.
Study hall was in the basement, and after the nuns went to bed at night, we’d sneak out of our rooms and take the elevator (a forbidden thing for students to do) to go to the basement to share a chicken another boarder had brought home, or maybe to have a prune pit fight. The nuns were so “cloistered” that most of them didn’t know what we did at night. One savvy nun would periodically catch us.
I remember the fountains in the photos, and the small arched door that we were told was for maid servants to enter the grounds rather than come through the main gate. I LOVE the photos at this blog! It’s wonderful to see the grounds and rooms in current photos. Day student rarely saw the manor building except for swimming classes. Boarders got to roam the grounds, except the area where the nuns resided. THANK YOU for posting all these photos.
Another website on this property is:
http://www.hudsonvalleyruins.org/yasinsac/alder/alder.html
The class of 1960 is having a class reunion on June 12, 2010 in Larchmont.
I like, Nedra Headen, attended school from 1956 – 1960 at Elizabeth Seton and was a border at the beautiful manor. I recall the beauty and elegance of the place. Every inch of the place was incredible. The only horror was rising at 6 in the morning in the winter to bathe and dress. The good sisters conserved the heat and we froze until breakfast or morning chapel. The grounds were elegant and we could imagine we were in some Italian garden ruins rather than a high school in New York. I appreciate the beauty, the wonderful friends and the education from the good Sisters of Charity to this day. It doesn’t seem like 50 years have flown by since our graduation.
Oh man, I’ve seen this place before. Were you scared when the candle stick and the clock started talking to you?
No photos of the kitchen? Old kitchens are *so* cool. The rest of the house is just magnificent. I would love to see it restored.
Thanks for posting these photos. I love your site.
My wife (Liz Ermish) and I were married at this location when it was Elizabeth Seton College in 1978. It was also my wife’s dorm when she attended the college. The 2nd floor pool did work. The Grecian Garden was where we had the ceremony. It was a great location for a wedding with the Hudson River in the background.
The college was sold to Iona College and they promptly closed it down and sold the property. The city of Yonkers owned for awhile and the Irish Cultural center took it over. As previously stated, the mansion also appeared in the first Crocodile Dundee movie.
I just love old places like this, this may be a good place for TAPS to investigate! Thanks for sharing.
Resident evil…. house of the game
I filmed an episode of a TV show at this location. It is incredible!!
What a find!. I believe this mansion is across the street from the Andrus orphanage. My best friend Sandra was raised at Andrus in the 1950’s until she was 18 (abandoned with her brother)and she told me of all these wonderful stories of her sneaking out of Andrus with her 2 girlfriends when she was about 10 years old. They would cross over into the yard and then into the house. They would scare each other to death on the second floor, thinking that someone or something was chasing them. I would love the opportunity to photograph the estate in Black & white so I can give Sandra a bound book of images to remind her of the fun times she had at the estate. Regards
We filmed a tv show in this mansion. Pictures alone can’t describe just how breath taking every room is. I hope to someday visit again.
I attended college there from 1989-1991. I stumbled upon this blog and am saddened to hear that it has been abandoned for many years:(
It was a beautiful campus when I went there and I am grateful that I had the opportunity to spend so much time there. I cannot believe that it is in such disrepair today. I hope the new owners can restore it to its original beauty. Shame on Yonkers!
As Nimoy once crooned, “You can’t take it with you where you’re going to go…”
It makes me so happy to see that the manor house is being restored. I went to school at Elizabeth Seton and remember the manor well. When I went to school the new building had been built and the manor was used mainly as a dorm for boarding students. Many of the boarding students came from South and Central America. It was a wonderful time.
It was sad, however, when the high school closed its doors with the last graduating class of 1964. Elizabeth Seton Junior College opened its doors in 1962 and for awhile we in the high school attended school in the same building as the College students.
The Manor was always such a beautiful building and well kept when schools were open. In 1964 or 65 the new College dorm building was opened. I never imagined that the College would have closed its doors and the campus fall into disrepair. I do hope Tara has a lot of success.
Pat D.
Hi Pat
Don’t know if you would remember me ( Julie Duffy Miller). I attended the HS from ’60 to 61. About 12 of us came from St. Lawrence academy in NYC after it also closed. Many of us went on to the college.
Toni Cavanaugh Dee, Merrily Alberti Silverson and I are trying to find old classmates since 2011 will be our 50th Anniversary.
Are you, by any chance in contact with any classmates from there? Perhaps you know some from the class of 61?
I would really appreciate any information you might be able to provide.
As far reaching as the internet is, it is still hard to find people without contacts and luck.
Thanks
Julie Duffy Miller
I HAVE THE MOST BEAUTIFUL REMEMBRANCES OF MY YOUTH IN ELIZABETH SETON SCHOOL, MY SISTER SUSANA AND I SPENT MOST OF OUR TEEN YEARS THERE IN SUCH WONDERFUL PLACE WITH IT SURROUNDINGS AND WITH THE LOVE OF THE SISTERS. I WAS VERY SAD TO KNOW IT CLOSED DOWN. I WENT THERE WITH MY DAUGHTER AND GRAND DAUGHTER; I FELT VERY PROUD AND HAPPY TO SHOW THEM THE PLACE
Morella and Susana:
Las recuerdo perfectamente. Se hospedaban en el Wellington Hotel y yo me quedaba de vez en cuando alli con los Osio. Me dio mucha tristeza ver como se ha acabado Seton. Today, Thanksgiving Day, I give thanks for the opportunity to have experienced my first encounter with the American culture and Thanksgiving tradition in such an unbelievable place. I also took my family there and they were just in awe.
Hello Morella It is your classmate Pat Doyle. Hard to believe that we are grandparents. It seems like yesterday we were in our high school uniforms and studying for Regents.
I do hope that almost 50 years has been kind to you.
Oh, I did buy that motorcycle I talked about. Just bought another for my 60th birthday in 2007, an 1100 cc Honda Sabre cruiser/touring bike.
I spent my life in the horse racing industry. I had a marvelous life.
Oh, I found Miss Car and she married Mr. Casper and they are happy. They live in Cape Cod but travel extensively.
How about a 50th reunion in 2014 at the Manor?
@ Rawrlamagne – This location was absolutely NOT featured on Gossip Girl. That much I can tell you.
I was a member of the first class at Elizabeth Seton College from 1961-1963 and remember fondly all the crazy (we thought) things we did when the Sisters went to bed. We were always going down to the kitchens to see what was in the fridge. At that time there were many girls from South America, Central America and the Dominican Republic in both the high school and college and we had a wonderful time on the weekends. It was like one big, happy family. Swimming in the pool certainly a plus.
I was saddened to hear that it had gone into disrepair. The last I heard it was owned by Iona and I thought it still was. It is good that someone is trying to restore it to its original beauty. Even in the 60’s it was a wonderful place to be.
Hi Maureen.
Are you in contact with any others from our class. Almost time for a 50th reunion!
Let me know if you are interested in working on this.
Julie
I attended Elizabeth Seton College 1962 to 1964. I remember living in the bedroom over the beautiful front door! We loved the library and the gorgeous rooms for visitors or just quiet study time. We moved to the new dorm hall for our second year. The grounds were just lovely to explore and walk around. I remember the pool and playing tennis and badminton in the gym. The Sisters of Charity were just so kind and supportive to all of us. Glad to see it’s being restored!
Thank you for sharing picture of this amazingly grand and beautiful house. How could anyone abandon it and make the decision not to live in it? So glad that it is being restored.
I don’t know if anyone already pointed this out, but as soon as I saw the FIRST picture I RECOGNIZED the house from the MGMT ‘Flash Delirium’ music video. I am positive that this is the house because I have watched the music video a lot+my love for spectacular houses, it is hard to forget that house! So strange that I would stumbleupon this website I got goosebumps right away just from recognizing the house. Actually I don’t know if that is sad or not…
What a fab place – and you have my dream job. How did you get into it? I’d love to know.
Thank you so much for this journey. I attended Elizabeth Seton College from 1971-1973. The grounds were always spectacular and the mansion, well, words could not describe it. I was shocked when my husband and I drove in a few years ago. It had just been taken over by Tara Circle. We spoke to a lovely man who took the time to explain what had happened over the years. I was so saddened by what I heard. I am elated to see how they have rescued this jewel of New York. Thank you Tara Circle and a heartfelt thanks to blog for presenting Alder Manor w/ such appreciation.
I attended Elizabeth Seton High School staffed by the Sisters of Charity (not Mercy). I graduated in 1957 and was in the last freshman class to be in the house. The following year we moved into a newly constructed building near the tennis courts. Our class met in what had been a bedroom on the second floor. We had 11 in our class and 13 in the other class in another room. I just dreamt about the house and was prompted by that to investigate its current status. What a treasure!
Do they rent out the mansion for weddings? It would be a gorgeous setting for a wedding ceremony and reception.
Kim
class of 83 I lived in the dorm.
I want to live in this mansion! I want to hug every single wall, run through every single hall, set every fireplace ablaze, etch every single painting into my brain, and explore every single inch of the gardens with my toes.
I will own the manor one day. You’ll all see. 🙂
This place is spectacular. Any more history available? When did it become abandoned?
I attended Elizabeth Seton College from 1979-(Class of 81′) I have fond memories of this spectacular mansion which are more appreciative now than when I attended—Hey, it was College. I frequently studied in the basement library which had a wonderful collage of colors and art blending with beautiful wooden architecture. Also had some great times and memories of our Spring Cotillion, class room education–in this beautiful mansion setting no less–as well as volunteering with various fund-raising or political events that were held there regularly. Thank you so much for these wonderful photos that help me reflect on a time in my life that makes it feel more special to have experienced a part of this historical landmark.
I’d love to live in this humble bungalow. Amazing place!
Wow I absolutely love this location for a wedding!
My wife (Liz Ermish) and I were married at this location when it was Elizabeth Seton College in 1978. It was also my wife’s dorm (66-68) when she attended the college. The 2nd floor pool did work. The Grecian Garden was where we had the ceremony. Reception was inside. It was a great location for a wedding with the Hudson River in the background.
The college was sold to Iona College and they promptly closed it down and sold the property. The city of Yonkers owned it for awhile and the Irish Cultural center took it over. As previously stated, the mansion also appeared in the first Crocodile Dundee movie.
I attended Elizabeth Seton College, and in 2004 went back with my youngest who was attending Manhattanville College up at Purchase, I had told her that both colleges looked a bit alike. We went on the grounds and around the manor and it looked in ruins I was sad. I lived in the dorms down the hill but had a very special class at the manor, dancing and it was on the second floor at the back of the manor and from the window in that room you could look out for miles. Glad that you put up this site with the pictures, it brings back memories
This was a fun site to find. I was also a student at ESC from the fall of 1964 until graduation in spring, 66.
The manor was lovely. The grounds were also wonderful for walking alone and enjoying the beautiful settings and nature in general –in any kind of weather, which i did frequently. I have no memory of the kitchen in the manor! Any pictures anyone? The pool was pretty cool, especially on Friday nights in winter. From my rooms at Bosch Hall I had magnificent views of the Hudson both years and watched the barges travel up and down in fall, winter and spring. It was hypnotic. The Palisades in NJ were clearly visible. Because we were on a hill, it looked like we were right on that famous river.
BTW, I am trying to find my former room mate (1964-1965) Marion Slattery. Anyone?
It takes my breath away to think it was 45 years ago. I have 2 very special friends who have been in my life since we attended ESC. Lifelong friends. I simply loved going to college there!
It look’s like the mansion used in the Addams Family Values
Scout,
check out the “castle” over in Ramapo reservation in New Jersey.
It’s on top of a mountain. Only the shell remains, but there are a few “rooms” if you could call them that!
Fort hancock at sandy hook is full of great locations.
There are the remains of an old Nike missile base in Piermont, NY.
There is a radar tower over at the end of long island south fork.
The remains of an old hotel on top of a mountain over in the catskills…can’t recall the name….
http://www.terrastories.com/bearings/abandoned-catskills-hotels
Have fun!
Joe.
You might care to check with the Russian Nobility Association. I seem to recall that there was a Col. THompson who helped some of the Imperial family or certain sristos get out of Russia just ahead of some hard-breathing Bolshies, similar to Col Boyle sent by Queen Marie of Roumania. Wonderful site and pic’s. Too bad you didn’t get to my former school in New Jersey before the “renovators” altough it is now being saved by a hip-hop clothing magnate. Best of luck and if you develop an alert system please add my email address. Thank you, ABB
Ooops. Cancel that suggestion. It would be like asking a Royalist of Nantes what he thinks of La Malmaison! Wikipedia suggests a completely different ID for the Colonel which reminds us that Kerensky finished up a professor at Stanford(?) or similar while there were all those poor innocents (as well as the bad) which had to be “tuer par la Revolution” for narrow political purpose. Col. Thompson’s descent, including a Hohenlohe marriage(not too bad) is a touch like that of our Morristown NJ’s Otto Kahn,whose grand-daugter or more probably great grand-daugther is/was Margaret, Duchess of Argyle. I recall that Herb Franke of Morristown did scouting work for films under the aegis of the state of NJ, ca 1970-80. abbb
I love this home. Is is up for sale If anyone knows please forward responses to the email you have on file
Cheers
I attended Elizabeth Seton School 1954-56. It was a High School run by the Sisters of Charity of New York. It was a boarding and day school. I lived on the second and third floors of the Manor. Seeing these pictures today has brought many memories… I visited
for my 50th reunion in 2006 and was sad to see the disrepair of the
Manor and the Gardens.
My years at Elizabeth Seton school were the happiest of my life.
I lived at the Manor from 1952 to 1957. Seton was my piece of
heaven on earth. I will always love it with all my heart.
I lived in the Manor during my high school years at Elizabeth Seton School, Class of 1963. That was the next-to-last class to graduate as the school transitioned to Elizabeth Seton Junior College. It was a fantastic property, I loved the statues in the garden and the views of the Hudson. Swimming in that pool was great fun. I made many wondeful friends from Latin America. By my senior year there were very few high school boarders left so I convinced my family to let me live off campus with a friend and her family. Seeing the pictures brought back many memories. I hope the Tara Society is able to restore that wonderful old building.
Thank you so much for this wonderful, magical site which I found while searching for the interior locations for the Sept. 25 episode of “Boardwalk Empire” Is this it? The next time anyone asks me where I want to go when I die, my answer will be “Alden Manor”!
You do realize the place is not abandoned right? A place being restored, with active electricity is not abandoned. Or do you not know the definition of abandoned? Nice place, nice pictures, but false advertising. Do a better job next time.
It reminds me of the Resident Evil manor…
A friend of mine from Seton sent me this link and I just loved looking at the pictures…memories I have of attending ESC from 70-72 are some of the fondest memories of I have of any of my college years…I plan to take a trip up to Yonkers soon and take a walk down memory lane through the gardens and the property…thanks so much for the pictures and the memories it brings back…
Hello Pat…remembering 1970-72….Bosch and the townhouse…I think of u often…we all had such a wonderful time there. I laughed when I went through the pictures and remembered swimming up at the house….didn’t we call it Lenoir….done many things, been many places and would love to chat. I do not have a facebook account anymore….live in upstate NY….call me anytime. Hope your life is still wonderful and has treated u well over the years.
I’m above friend and I say…ditto! Can’t wait to see where I spent 2 of the best years of my life! Gathering some alumni friends for a trip there real soon. Thanks Tara Society!
I am just THRILLED to find this web site!!!! I had the honor and privledge to attend 2 years of classes at Elizabeth Junior College from 1970-1972 and graduate with an Associate of Arts Degree in 1972 – these 2 years became the foundation of my education – I transfered to Marymount College in Tarrytown to finish my BA degree – your photos brought back FABULOUS memories of the beautiful grounds during the winter months which I enjoyed so much – it was the first time i lived away from home – and it was so endearing!!!! God bless you for your thoughtful and responsible photos which depict a great time for so many lives – respectfully yours alice s pych 72
Strange. This place is practically in my back yard, yet I never knew about it. There’s something sad in it’s beauty though. I can’t wait to see how it looks when restoration is complete
I had the privilege of living at Seton. I attended Elizabeth Seton School in 1960 when it was a boarding high school and felt in love with its beauty. We were around 75 girls mainly from overseas. The whole experience was so positive. Later on I returned there with my husband to visit the school. It was around mid 70’s and still had not lost the luster. We were told by one of the nuns that they had started selling their antiques. I remember clearly the halls, exquisite rooms, furnishings and works of art, the Greek garden and statues. Even the basement was unbelievable. The elevator, our rooms!!!! It brought tears to my eyes looking at the empty spaces and decayed state.