National Dairy Research Council

Do you know of someone who worked for the National Dairy Research Council? Maybe a family member or friend? We would love to hear from you! The National Dairy Research Council occupied the Idle Hour Mansion and some of the Accessory Buildings from 1947 – 1960(ish).

European Painting in the Reference Room

Not much is known about this large painting. It is the only non-artist colony painting hanging in the library reference room. It is believed to be one of a pair of paintings that hung in the old Saxon Arms Restaurant, now known as the Snapper Inn. If you know anything about this painting or its mate, we would love to hear from you.

Landscape Architect for Idle Hour?

Did William K. Vanderbilt or his architect, Richard Howland Hunt employ a landscape architect when the second and currently standing Idle Hour Mansion was built in 1900-1904? This was common practice at the time, but I have never heard a name associated with the Idle Hour Estate. Could it be that the landscaping was mostly kept in tact from the first Idle Hour Mansion? If so, who was that landscape architect in 1878-1880? (Richard Morris Hunt was the architect of that mansion.)

Vanderbilt Era Trees in Idle Hour

Do you have a Vanderbilt era tree on your property in the Idle Hour Community? A Vanderbilt era tree is more than 108 years old. Do you know any stories about the tree? – Any folklore you were told when you bought your home? If you know anything about this topic and would like to share, we would love to hear from you. At Dowling College, we have a few trees that we believe are from this era. See:

http://www.dowling.edu/wikis/pmwiki.php/LISSHistory/VanderbiltEraTreesAndPlantings