The Irvington Historical Society has opened its new exhibit – The Great Estates. During the mid-nineteenth century through the early twentieth century Irvington was home to many great estates. These grand structures on large tracts of land were summer homes to wealthy New Yorkers fleeing the noise, congestion, and outbreaks of yellow and typhoid fever plaguing the city.  Attracted by the convenient rail transportation, cool summer breezes off the Hudson, and rural setting, businessmen, financers, and industrialists bought up the local farms and built large summer residences, setting a pattern which would hold until the early 20^th century.

This exhibit focuses on three of them – Ardsley, Wendel, and Beltzhoover. Through photographs, documents, maps, and artifacts, this exhibit explores the history of these estates and the lives of those who lived there.