Vanderbilt Greenhouse

4097 Albany Post Rd.
Hyde Park, N.Y.

Year Built: 1875

This building was built in 1875 as part of the Langdon Estate, which later became the Vanderbilt Estate. This building has been demolished.

At the time of its construction, Brigham wrote,

“I did not have a visit from Lord till this last week. The only point which he makes of which Mr. Horne is not cognizant is that when he was here he told you in your room downstairs that he could not built the greenhouse for the money ($4,500) to which he says you replied, “well I do not expect you can but what can you do for it.” He replied, “I don’t know exactly but I can’t do it for less than $5,000 at any rate.” He then asked, “what shall I do, shall I go on?” to which you answered, “Yes, go on” and you said you “should have to see Mr. Langdon.” He says that from that time he went on in the expectation that everything would be satisfactorily adjusted. He now says that he will make his bill as low as possible but thinks it will overrun $5,000 somewhat. I shall try to keep him in abeyance until you return, though I hope nothing will meanwhile be said to Mr. Langdon, who supposes the amount to be $4,500. Certainly the house must have cost Lord more than that. I am going up to Hyde Park again on Wednesday, but do not expect to see Mr. Langdon who I hear is in Newport.”

and

“I am going again to Hyde Park tomorrow. I think the builder there is a very good man, and as he has done so much work for Mr. Langdon his interest will be the greater to do us good work.”


References

• "Cultural Landscape Analysis: the Vanderbilt Estate at Hyde Park," Patricia M. O’Donnell, APT Bulletin, Vol. 24, No. 3/4, Conserving Cultural Landscapes. Sturgis & Brigham, architects.

• Letters from Charles Brigham to John Hubbard Sturgis, August 16, 1875 and September 6, 1875, Sturgis Papers, Boston Athenaeum Library.


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