Hike of the Week 8/11/2005

Wethersfield Garden features loads of breathtaking beauty

Location:  Northeastern Dutchess County

Length:  10 acres

Rating:  Astounding. Bellissimo

Dogs:  Pets not allowed

Map:  An excellent map with a suggested tour is available at the garden entrance.

Features: The finest classical garden in the United States built in the second half of the 20th Century, inspired by the gardens of the Italian Renaissance. A garden of landscape architecture. A blending of the formal with the native landscape. Views, vistas, statues, sculptures, pools, fountains, flowers, hedges, walks paved with Belgian blocks. The three-quarter-mile Wilderness Walk: Hercules, Orpheus, Diana and a 13-ton limestone Centaur inhabit it!

Watch out for: You're going to want to live here. Forever.

Background:

Chauncey Devereux Stillman (1907-1989), investor, philanthropist, conservationist, environmentalist, purchased a Dutchess County dairy farm in 1937 and named it Wethersfield Farm, after Wethersfield, Conn., where his ancestors settled in the 1600s. The now 1,200-acre farm is the epitome of a country gentleman's estate. The garden and Georgian style colonial brick residence are on the highest point of the property, with panoramic views of the Catskills, Taconics and Bershires. The original gardens were created in 1940 by Bryan J. Lynch, and the 10-acre formal gardens, designed on east/west and north/south axes, were created over a 25-year period by landscape architect Evelyn N. Poehler. The garden is open to the public, free of charge, noon to 5 p.m., Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, June through September. House and carriage house is shown by advance reservation only. For more information, call 845-373-8037.

Hike Description:

The long, tree-lined drive up to the garden, past one of the 12 ponds constructed on the property, will tip you off that something truly extraordinary awaits you at the top. Stepping out of your car, you will be treated to an almost 270-degree view of the rolling hills of Dutchess County horse country to the north, east and south. Just about all of the land in the foreground is Wethersfield Farm. Pick up a map and follow the suggested garden tour, or just wander. Be enchanted by the East Garden; Cupid Fountain; Arborvitae Arch; Cutting Garden (fresh flowers daily for the house); the uncannily peaceful Arborvitae Allee — 190-foot long, 24-foot high walls of white cedar; Water Garden; Inner Garden — a true sanctuary; Knot Garden; South Terrace; Pine Terrace; Peacock Walk; the imposing Belvedere; Rune Stone; and the Wilderness Walk. Your head will be spinning, and they will have to hunt you down and kick you out of here by 5 p.m.

How to get there: 

From Poughkeepsie, take Route 44 east past Millbrook. Make a left on Bangall-Amenia Road (County Route 86). Take a right on Pugsley Hill Road. Follow signs 1.3 miles to estate entrance on the left.

About the New York - New Jersey Trail Conference : The NY-NJ Trail Conference is a federation of hiking clubs, environmental organizations and individual members who volunteer their time and resources to build and maintain hiking trails and protect related open space in the bi-state region.

Information : For a more detailed description of this hike including a map, visit www.nynjtc.org and click on Hike of the Week. For information on NYNJTC activities, call 201-512-9348 or email info@nynjtc.org.

Hike of the Week is a regular feature in the Poughkeepsie Journal Players section, call 845-437-4848. This hike is contributed by Ralph Ferrusi of Stormville.

V3 Last updated: November 6, 2005   Copyright © 1996-2004  New York-New Jersey Trail Conference Privacy Statement.