Reflection in the family swimming pool
housed a bowling alley. Collected and curated by Nelson A. Rockefeller, the collection showcases the work of 20th century artists and sculptors including Henry Moore,
Alexander Calder, Andy Warhol and David
Smith. A series of life-size woven tapestries
on the walls, commissioned by Rockefeller,
portray many of Picasso’s most recognizable paintings.
That the entire house appears enveloped in a park-like setting is not surprising. Rockefeller initially hired landscape
architect Frederick Law Olmsted (famous
for co-designing Central Park in NYC) to
design the grounds, although he later fired
him and took up the job himself. Sculptures are strategically placed on patios and
various spots on the lawn in just the right
position to capture the light at different
times of the day.
We ended our 2¼-hour visit with a stop
The characterization of Kykuit as an
at the Coach Barn, where horse-drawn
“unpretentious” abode wore a bit thin as
carriages and vintage cars actually used by
we walked along stone paths through the
the family are on display, all in meticulous
sprawling lawns and formal landscaped
conditions. This same structure houses the
gardens. Among the abundance of floweroffices of the Rockefeller Brothers Fund
ing plants and varied deciduous trees, we
and a conference space.
caught glimpses of terraces, pools, grottos,
It’s been said that old houses bear
elaborate wrought-iron gates, fountains
witness to history. As one of the best-preand an Asian teahouse. There was also a
served houses in the Hudson Valley, a visit
private nine-hole golf course where John D. to Kykuit not only offers visitors lessons
Rockefeller, Sr. is said to have played every in art, architecture and history but also a
day until he died at the age of 97. Inside the reminder of the seminal role of the Rockehouse, we entered the locker and shower
fellers as philanthropists in health, conserrooms he used after playing.
vation and higher education.
Stepping Outside
View of the Oceanus Fountain with Carrera marble figures in the forecourt at Kykuit