What is Jay Gould's Lyndhurst Mansion in New York? (Aurora Fane’s Mansion in The Gilded Age)

Sitting along the Hudson river in New York is an iconic estate, but it hasn’t always looked this way. In this video, we are exploring the architectural transformation of the knoll into what we now know as Lyndhurst.
Featured in Season 2 Episode 1 of The Gilded Age
Location: New York
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What is Jay Gould's Lyndhurst Mansion in New York? (Aurora Fane’s Mansion in The Gilded Age)
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Photos and video from: Neil Funkhouser, lynn, Lyndhurst Collections, Daniel Case, NYU School of Law, Angel V, Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division, White House Naval Photographic Unit, The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Music from Epidemic Sound
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[@janedee6488]

Finally a house that was saved! Beautiful.

[@Dina52328]

Yes, I agree. Finally.

[@rick0e295]

Amen 🙏! Too many great buildings are gone due to neglect or even worse financial gain. If you come back ,please see my post for additional info.

[@lavrentichudakoff2519]

I visited Lyndhurst once.

[@wizardking426]

I also agree

[@MrAtaripitbull]

I was thinking the exact same thing, that one was saved without any major changes.

[@TeamTrumpUSA]

"It's not the honor you take with you, but the heritage you leave behind." Cheers from Coastal South Carolina

[@robertmoore2049]

I’m so very glad and grateful that this beautiful home is still standing and well cared for after so many, or I should say too many, beautiful, grandeur and majestic homes razed to the ground 🙂…

[@WeWillAlwaysHaveVALIS]

Seriously underrated channel, showing us these gorgeous locations and giving us detailed explanations of everything. All in stunning 4K to boot! Thanks for the content man, I really appreciate it, here hoping that you get to 100k subs soon!

[@ernestpassaro9663]

Isn’t lyndhurst in Long Island so that’s not the Hudson River it’s either the Long Island sound or the Atlantic Ocean

[@MrPdforeman]

I learned who Jay Gould was by visiting the town of Jefferson TX. Cool story. Cool mansion!

[@mileshigh1321]

Nice to see a big grand house that actually still stands! Lovely place! Thanks for the history!

[@StamperWendy]

Lovely, Ken, thanks! I love the 4 little windows above the door...

[@j.brown70]

Nice video and story, and that it was maintained and left for the public.

[@baffledanderanged2101]

It's a beautiful house,so glad it was saved.

[@Mitch2294]

One of the few to actually be preserved so cool with a long amazing history.

[@twistoffate4791]

I like this story because there are so many likeable people in it. The Goulds kept George Merritt's style & intent; the Gould's daughter got a law degree, gave classes to disadvantaged kids & fostered a child (though she had her own); her sister, Anna honored her sister Helen's wishes & kept it open to charitable organizations, sold the family's collections to benefit the war effort and then signed the home over to the National Preservstion Trust. I like these people.

[@jamesclendon4811]

That's one way of looking at it, and a rather ironic one. Jay Gould, the "founding father," is generally regarded as the most notorious and unscrupulous of the "Robber Barons" of his era. It's a long and complicated story, and it's probably unfair to judge him by modern standards, but as Wikipedia summarizes him: " an American railroad magnate and financial speculator who is generally identified as one of the Robber barons of the Gilded Age. His sharp and often unscrupulous business practices made him one of the wealthiest men of the late nineteenth century. Gould was an unpopular figure during his life and remains controversial".

[@twistoffate4791]

@@jamesclendon4811 Fortunately, the women in the family chose to help others.

[@jamesclendon4811]

@@twistoffate4791 Yes, absolutely.

[@jcsgodmother]

@@jamesclendon4811 The original owner Pauling was related to a Rev War hero.

[@christopherkraft1327]

What an interesting story!!! It's so nice that this house is still in existence today & is open to the public!!!! 👍👍

[@mariakettlehut7399]

Finally one that is still preserved Thank you Ken

[@christians.7019]

A beautiful day for an awesome video! Thank you This House😀

[@miketackabery7521]

Thanks for this video. I'd always thought that Gould built it himself, so I really appreciate the short history. Thanks again!

[@tarareads23]

I grew up in Tarrytown where Lyndhurst is located. Growing up, I’ve never had any interest in the mansion. But now many years later, I would love to see it. I moved away a few years after graduating high school and only been back less than a handful of times. One day I’ll go back and visit Lyndhurst. Thank you for featuring it on your channel.

[@CatsCoffeeCrime]

Really great that the ancestors saved the property. It’s beautiful & would be a nice place to visit & tour. Thank🌻You

[@kellingtonlink956]

Thanks for another fascinating history lesson.

[@lila6117]

What a lovely family taking care a the Beautiful House.

[@lisariggs8947]

It's great to hear of the historical status and will hopefully remain so, and be maintained for future generations 😀

[@karenshaffer1265]

So glad it still around.beautiful.

[@thomasbrown6970]

When I see there’s a new video I have to click and watch. I even rewind parts because it’s just so interesting. Thank you and keep them coming.

[@christines4880]

Yeah it wasn't torn down!!! Love watching your videos but makes me sad at the same time. Thank you for your work 😊

[@mrblock1318]

Like everybody that lived in this house did something to bring the community closer... astonishing history! it is a blessed Castle!

[@kathleenlingenfelder2287]

Thank you for the wonderful history lesson.

[@michaelhawkins5530]

Happy to see a story where the house has not been torn down.

[@bschuff]

Love this series about mansions! Killing is guys! Thanks for the entertainment.

[@TheLuckyjoenga]

This is now my official favorite KZbin channel.

[@heathermiskell6]

Glad it was preserved!! So beautiful!!

[@elpirata5468]

This place is beautiful It's Gothic and ornate Happy to see it Still stands

[@andrewbrendan1579]

Maybe it's me but I've found that Lyndhurst has a special, positive atmosphere. What a pleasure to learn that a house has been so well loved and used. I used to be involved with the American Red Cross and was extra pleased to learn about how items from Lyndhurst were used to assist the Red Cross. Another house and estate that has been put to excellent use the mansion and ground of Yaddo, the home of philanthropists Spencer and Katrina Trask, that would be turned into a retreat for writers and artists. I don't know if there is much information and many photographs but maybe Yaddo could be the subject for an episode of "This House".

[@twistoffate4791]

This is off-topic, but whenever I hear the last name "Trask" I think of the 1988 film "Working Girl," starring Melanie Griffith & Harrison Ford, which had a main character called "Oren Trask". That name is simply stuck.

[@evelynwilson1566]

It's so lovely to hear of rich people who share the advantages that their wealth has bought. What a lovely lady.

[@tudorjason]

It's great to see mansions from the Gilded era still standing!

[@jonrussell1690]

FINALLY, a majestic house that was saved and preserved.

[@julietrask7497]

Does anyone remember the series on A&E called America’s Mansions? More thank likely the wrong title, they showed this mansion, plus Vanderbilt’s and so on. Loved that show.

[@majorneptunejr]

The show was called America's Castles.

[@julietrask7497]

@@majorneptunejr Thank you!!

[@jamesslick4790]

I'm not usually "into" Gothic Revival as much as I'm into Second Empire or Italianate, But I like this house a lot! I also love the story of the charitable use it saw over the years (Too many bad stories abound about the "Robber Barons"). Great story, Great house!

[@clairwaucaush7225]

FINALLY! One of these mansion stories with a happy ending where the house DIDN'T get torn down!!!

[@camillefunn6405]

Very informative video!!! Thank you for sharing!!!

[@jeffallinson8089]

Yet another absolutely stunning mansion and its fantastic that it has been preserved. What a wonderful example of the Gothic revival style.

[@johnpauljones9244]

I am so glad they kept this beautiful home well preserved.

[@curiousworld7912]

I'm delighted this house has been so well preserved. I love the 'gothic' style, and this is a beautiful example of the Victorian Gothic. I believe it has been used for a few movie locations, if I recall correctly, and I'm happy that it's open for the public to enjoy. Thanks for sharing this. :)

[@asylumlover]

AT LAST ONE OF THESE VIDEOS THAT DOES NOT END WITH DEMOLITION!!!!

[@LJB103]

It's a pity that the huge greenhouse is still (according to the photo) just the metal skeleton without glass. When I was last here, the indoor pool house was not restored or open; not sure if that's still true. My gripe with the National Trust was that this mansion was given by Anna Gould, Duchesse de Sagan, as a memorial to her parents; but the Trust later decided to turn the drawing room back into an earlier "pre-Gould" version of what it may have looked like under prior owners. Anna had more than enough money that if this is what she wanted, she would have done it.

[@twistoffate4791]

I completely see your point. The Trust could have honored Anna's parents' choices & just offered photographs fir viewing of the home under the Merritts' ownership. After all, the Goulds' renovation wasn't a destruction of what was. It was more of an update with personalization.

[@jcsgodmother]

The building is very historical from way before the Gould's. The Pauling family is related to a local Revolutionary War hero. There is no surprise that the Trust would seek to capitalize on the Revolutionary War history and not just glorify the Robber Barons and royals.

[@LJB103]

@@jcsgodmother Yes, but if I give you something as a memorial to my family I would expect you to respect that and not change it.

[@jcsgodmother]

@@LJB103 They knew they were giving it to an historical society and that it had Rev War history associated with it.

[@LJB103]

@@jcsgodmother It was given specifically as a memorial to her parents as the house they lived in. Which is why all of the furnishings and art (reportedly right down to the toothbrushes) was included in the donation. Had the house been empty then fine do what you want, but it wasn't and had been open for years before someone decided that the donee's wishes did not need to be respected. This isn't even back to what was there, but what may have been there.

[@van84agon]

Really nice people. all the different owners of the estate seem much more down to earth. Lyndhurst, a magical place which seems to compliment and enhance all who are lucky to spend time there. getting out my map... only 770km away, hmmmm

[@albertpeckham8708]

I have been to this place several times in the past! It is a lovely estate. It now belongs to the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The furnishings are pretty much original to the place. The greenhouse is restored and quite magnificent. Great place to visit. The grounds are spectacular!

[@bethbartlett5692]

The level of busy in this era is overwhelming. They obviously found security in "stuff", "lots of detail stuff". I like the clarity of the exterior block structure.

[@RADIUMGLASS]

This looks like the Senators house used in the 1980 movie "The Changeling" with George C. Scott. I believe this one was used in a few movies.

[@twistoffate4791]

That's interesting that you mentioned The Changeling! I was at my public library checking out movies & books, and very nearly grabbed The Changeling, which was right in front of me at one point. Now I have another reason to check it out next time I go.

[@matthewpatriquin7359]

I believe it was also used in “ Night of Dark Shadows

[@wonderfulguidinglight2828]

Thank you!😊

[@suefox6164]

Very interesting and informative. Thank you for sharing this piece of history👍

[@jonathanraven5939]

Absolutely magnificent

[@marciafallon7653]

Hi Ken, I have spent most of my life enjoying what was once called the Latham Estate in New Canaan, CT. It is currently known as Waveny Park. I would love to know the history of this beautiful home. I have always imagined what it must have been like to live there in it’s hay day as a private home. Imagine pulling up the lovely wooded driveway and arriving under the port coucher before the horse and carriage were taken to the stables. I would love to see a documentary on its true origin. Thank you for your marvelous work in letting us see these beautiful homes and giving us the tour.

[@eastmanwebb5477]

This is a great video. Thanks for all your hard work. Would you mind providing the address of this place? I would love to visit it one day.

[@ThisHouse]

I'll do you one better, here is a link to their website where you can learn about upcoming events: lyndhurst.org/

[@bobcat3658]

Dark shadows filmed here,I think,I know a mansion in Rhode island was used this one was used for some shots,got to look up info.

[@bobcat3658]

Night of dark shadow,house of dark shadows filmed here,soap used mansion Newport Rhode island.

[@andrewbrendan1579]

@@bobcat3658 I was thinking about the "Dark Shadows" connection! Lyndhurts for the movies, Seaview Terrace for the TV show. If my memory is right, "the old house" that was sometimes shown and that Baranabas lived in on the TV series was on the Lyndhurst estate but was lost in a fire.

[@TheNancypoo]

My sisters used to watch that show back in the 70s and we always wondered about that 'castle' that was visible from the road.

[@bobcat3658]

@@TheNancypoo I was one of those that jumped off school bus when it started to end,I bought all gold key comics,all the Marilyn Ross paperbacks bade on show,about 14 years ago decided to sell all the junk I had from my youth,so I let them go...sometimes not often I miss my D'S books,but u can't keep everything.

[@jcsgodmother]

The crept in the nearby Sleepy Hallows Cemetery was also part of the Dark Shadows movie sets.

[@divox9pqr]

A gothic masterpiece preserved for all to enjoy

[@steamgent4592]

Very kool didn't know Jay's House survived. My friend owns is railroad private car that Jay rode in on his trains.

[@majorneptunejr]

This house doubled as "Collinwood" in the movies "House of Dark Shadows" and "Night of Dark Shadows" in the early 70's.

[@user-mv9tt4st9k]

Wow... wow wow wow.

[@youfuk7207]

Use to there as a kid with my parents lived right in yonkers 15min away. As teens we would go on the grounds after dark and just hang out until we got chased out we never vandalized or broke nothing most of the time just sat and enjoyed the amazing scenery

[@dennisthomas6782]

What a beautiful home . 🏠

[@rick0e295]

Thank you for this video. One of reasons I joined National Trust for Historic Preservation. Still hope to visit some day. FYI, Lyndhurst was used for location ( including interiors) for NIGHT of DARK SHADOWS and HOUSE of DARK SHADOWS, based on popular TV soap opera. TV show used exterior shots ONLY of ?Seaview Terrace or Seacliff Terrace? Not sure of the correct name 🤔.

[@jcsgodmother]

The nearby Sleepy Hallow Cemetery has a crept that was also part of the Dark Shadows set. I visited them all. Lots of fun. Go if you can and before Halloween is the best time of year. Sleepy Hallow is the Halloween capital of the country.

[@catheline51]

The Hudson Valley is a fascinating place to visit. I lived there 3 yrs and visited all the historic sites. So interesting and beautiful.

[@robertc.1958]

@rick0e295: That was the house Seaview Terrace in Newport, RI that you're thinking of. That was the T.V. series "Great House at Collinwood" in "Dark Shadows" ( 1966 - 1971 series. ) And, yes, they used the Lyndhurst Estate ( including interiors ) for both movies - 'House of Dark Shadows' ( 1970, ) and then 'Night of Dark Shadows' ( 1971. )

[@robertc.1958]

​@@jcsgodmother: Actually, they fake put the name "Collins" on a crypt in Sleepy Hill Cemetery for scenes filmed there for in the movie 'House of Dark Shadows' ( 1970. )

[@cassandraralph5906]

Very interesting

[@luvsjudy]

We Live Five Minutes From Lyndhurst #SimplyBeautiful♥️

[@alanblanes2876]

Very enlightening!

[@jcsgodmother]

I was there a few years back during Halloween season. It was decorated for the season with an inflatable dragon on the roof. Very enjoyable. It is like America's Downton Abbey.

[@audrab27]

It may not be exactly what u do but this home has an amazing history please just look at it's history it's known as the Russ house in Marianna FL absolutely fascinating. It was redesigned like this home

[@deannak749]

My Husband sleep in his sleeping bag on the front lawn during the bicentennial wagon train rest stop on the way heading to valley forge in 1976. He was 19 yrs old @ the time

[@lindafusek3794]

The building reminds me of Trinity Slovak Lutheran Church in Chicago. I think a big part of the reason this home survived was the attitude of the families who lived there towards those less fortunate. They were blessed and chose to use their blessings and their home to serve others.

[@jenniferthomas3875]

This house is still there, but now it is rented out as a conference center. There are like 100 smaller houses built around it.

[@twistoffate4791]

Sounds like one helluva pretty locale for a convention. Sign me up. I would sure like to see this mansion in person. One day...

[@jamesclendon4811]

It is still open to the public, but yes, to help pay for its upkeep (a million a year plus) it's rented out for any number of events. Films, TV shows, commercials, corporate events of all sorts, help keep the lights on and the furnace running. You can even have your wedding there. The National Trust can, and will, only contribute a limited amount. Everyone who bemoans the fact that so many historic mansions are torn down seriously underestimates how difficult and expensive it is to preserve them.

[@antoniocarlosmurillo9112]

Beautifull.

[@avtgomez]

Finally a heritage house that America didn't demolish.

[@Mdb0514]

I toured this home in 2019. It’s in a beautiful area near Washington Irving’s house and Sleepy Hollow. It was kind of creepy. It felt ornate and cold.

[@rdsims8809]

Thank you for looking at my house!! Since the taxes are high even in the Trust, I am giving a Lavish Dinner Party.... Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches.. bring your own damn milk BYOM.

[@jenniferthomas3875]

Did Jay Gould move to another mansion on Desorsis Island ( a small island north of Long Island). The North Shore of long Island (aka. gold coast} was were America's ultra rich wanted a house. From here one could drive to their office in Manhattan.

[@judyimel5697]

Wow

[@dojocho1894]

I have been to Lyndhurst a few times...some parts are actually Faux made to look like more of a expensive house than it really was. Many of his neighbors in the area had huge homes Like Vanderbilt down the tracks south.

[@toomanymarys7355]

FYI, it's pronounced bequeeth, not bequeth. Love your channel!

[@marksayers3721]

Yes it’s very nice to hear about one that’s still standing the day it’s a shame it’s a great architectural work has been does tore down in the past we are fools in this country

[@dianasmith725]

Love your channel. Was that a Star of David in one of the windows that I saw. I know Gould was Jewish, but I might b mistaken

[@charlesmagliocco8932]

Beware, Barnabas Collins lurks in the dark shadows.

[@cremebrulee4759]

Please look up the pronunciation of bequeathed. It's bu-qweethed (long e).

[@PJ-dh7gn]

Why no mention of when the mansion was owned by the Collins family???

[@G-Mastah-Fash]

Goulds daughters felt real bad about what he did to amass his fortune didn't they?

[@L1623VP]

Why is Lyndhurst (this house's real name) referred to as the Jay Gould House? Gould was neither the designer of the house nor its first resident. He wasn't even the second resident. In 1869, Gould was the head of a stock market scheme that inflated the price of metals, allowing him to corner the market and triple his wealth, while driving many business owners and families into bankruptcy. Such a beautiful house should not bear such a person's name, a Wall Street inside trader.

[@musicformonsters]

Horrible that he drained the wetlands... "return to nature".. not so much ..so much for caring about wildlife/nature..

[@warningsigns4526]

LIAR