There’s No Place Like WILDERSTEIN for the Holidays!
Staff | November 28, 2012 | Comment
Step into the holiday season at Wilderstein Historic Site in Rhinebeck. Tours of the decorated mansion kick-off on Thanksgiving weekend and continue every weekend through the end of December. With the upcoming release of the film Hyde Park on Hudson, starring Laura Linney as Wilderstein’s Margaret (Daisy) Suckley and Bill Murray as Franklin Roosevelt, there couldn’t be a better time to visit.
As is the site’s quintessential yuletide tradition, florists and designers have transformed the Wilderstein mansion into a magical holiday wonderland. Many of the rooms display period ornaments and appear as though Daisy Suckley, Wilderstein’s longtime resident, just went out momentarily. Others showcase modern and even unexpected holiday decor, juxtaposed dramatically against the home’s Victorian backdrop. Thanks to the diverse group of decorators who donate their time and talent each year, touring Wilderstein during the holiday season always offers a new and memorable experience.
Not-to-be-missed is Wilderstein’s annual Yuletide Tea on Saturday, December 8 at 1 PM. This event is a seasonal mainstay for tea enthusiasts from around the Hudson Valley, offering a glimpse of what tea time was like during the Victorian era. Guests enjoy a festive afternoon featuring fine tea, homemade cakes, cookies and delicate finger sandwiches. Author Cynthia Owen Philip will be the featured speaker, discussing the new edition of her book Wilderstein & the Suckleys. Early reservations are recommended, as limited seating tends to fill-up quickly.
In addition to touring the mansion, Wilderstein’s landscape, designed in the American Romantic Tradition by Calvert Vaux, is an extraordinary place for a winter walk. During tour hours, complimentary hot mulled cider and cookies are served to warm-up with afterwards. For those seeking unique gift ideas, the site’s museum store has a wide assortment of items for just about everyone. Offerings include an array of books, old-fashioned toys, home goods, souvenirs and other merchandise related to the Hudson Valley’s rich history.
Wilderstein is open for holiday tours from 1 to 4 PM on weekends through the end of December (December 1 & 2, 8 & 9, 15 & 16, 22 & 23, 29 & 30). Tours are self-guided, with a docent in each room to share information and answer questions. For more details, call 845-876-4818 or go online to www.wilderstein.org.
Wilderstein Historic Site, 330 Morton Road, Rhinebeck, New York, 845.876.4818
Attached Image – Wilderstein Parlor decorated for the holiday season