Tuxedo Park, a small yet historically rich village in Orange County, New York, serves
as a unique microcosm of American cultural and architectural heritage.
part of the larger New York metropolitan area, Tuxedo Park boasts a humble population of
645 residents as per the 2020 census.
Its name, Tuxedo, derived from the indigenous Lenape language, meaning 'crooked water' or
'crooked river', encapsulates the village's deep-rooted connection to its natural and
cultural history.
The origins of Tuxedo Park trace back to the colonial era, where it was known for its undeveloped
iron deposits.
This natural wealth attracted English interest, leading to the establishment of a company
by William Alexander, Lord Stirling, which built furnaces and mined iron in the vicinity.
This early industrial venture set the stage for the area's transformation when, in 1790,
Pierre Lorillard II acquired the company and its lands.
However, once the iron deposits were depleted, the area transitioned to lumbering, marking
the end of its first industrial age.
The real transformation of Tuxedo Park, however, began in 1885 when Pierre Lorillard IV developed
the area into a private hunting-and-fishing reserve, a move that would redefine its identity.
The establishment of the Tuxedo Club and the Tuxedo Park Association by Lorillard IV further
solidified its status as a bastion of exclusivity and luxury.
These developments attracted a host of influential figures, from bankers to socialites, who built
grand residences within its bounds, shaping the village's social and cultural landscape.
Among these influential figures was Emily Post, whose observations within Tuxedo Park's
grand stone gates led to the creation of the 'Blue Book of Etiquette', a testament to the
high societal standards maintained within the village.
Tuxedo Park's influence extended beyond its boundaries, notably impacting American fashion.
The village is credited with giving the 'tuxedo', an iconic element of men's formal wear, its
name and prominence in North American culture.
This fashion legacy began when resident James Brown Potter introduced the garment to Tuxedo
Park after encountering it through the Prince of Wales, Edward VII.
This blend of cultural influence and high society encapsulated the essence of Tuxedo
Park during its golden years, the period in which we will explore it from the height of
its magnificence.
The first mansion we will see, which has since been lost to time, is the vacation home of
Richard Mortimer.
Designed in the tudor revival style, it was surrounded by impressive formal gardens with
imported mature trees planted around fountains.
Designed by the architecture firm of Hunt & Hunt, no detail was overlooked from amenities
including a clay tennis court to lavish interiors.
The library was finished out with hand tooled leather walls below a vast Jacobean plaster
ceiling.
And in the dining room, antique European furniture and tapestries took second stage to the floor
to ceiling stone fireplace covered in intricate relief work.
Next we will see travel around the lake to find the sprawling estate of George St. George.
Entering the mansion, a polar bear rug sprawls about the stair hall’s perfectly polished
wood floors, hinting at the eccentricities that lie ahead.
The dining room, designed in the Palladian style combines classical architecture with
nautical décor, distinguishing this house as a place for relaxation without sacrificing
luxury.
The seemingly never ending series of parlors played host to huge parties where hundreds
of guests would mingle about in formal attire.
Each parlor continued the same decorative themes with large bronze eagles, model ships,
and arching millwork.
Though, when George St. George wanted some R&R, he could retreat to the library, Choosing
from his vast collection of adventure novels to read by the warm glow of the fireplace.
As we continue exploring around the lake, finding homes to welcome us in for a tour,
we pass by several impressive estates.
Each one has been designed by a famous architect, with no two being identical.
Some, such as the Fulton Cutting House, more humbly reflect the Queen Anne style, while
others, such as the Reed House, are finished in stone and brick and covered over with ivy,
leaving an impression of old world sophistication.
Even amongst the refined, we find houses such as that of A.D.
Juilliard sprawling above a vast lawn with perfectly manicured gardens framing its view.
As we arrive at the Lorillard Residence, we are welcomed in the gate to explore its grounds.
The mansion was designed to be reminiscent of the chateaus found along France’s Loire
Valley.
From dormers penetrating the steep roofline to asymmetrically balanced towers, it’s
influence is apparent.
The Lorillards are very private people, so we won’t be able to go inside, but we can
head over to the neighbor’s house to snoop around.
Henry Poor, the cofounder of what would become known as the S&P, hired Henry T. Randall to
design for him a stately Jacobean inspired cottage.
It was surrounded by formal gardens overlooking the water with stone balustrade pointing towards
the viewshed.
Its interiors were clad in wood paneling with dazzling plaster ceilings.
We recently covered this house in more detail in a recent video.
If you want to see more of his lavish estate, I’ll link that video at the end of this
one.
In the mean time, let’s keep exploring about the enclave.
Famous author, Joseph E. Stevens commissioned architects Walker and Gillette to design for
him a rambling cottage.
The architects designed the house to sit perfectly on a steep ridge, maximizing both its views
and its foot print.
Following the topography of the site lead to the creation of a floorplan with many angled
walls, and to some extent, an early adaptation of open concept living.
The eclectic exterior is carried inside with a ribbed groin vault joining the dining room’s
ceiling from its octagonal footprint.
For all the luxury around Tuxedo Park, it was also a place for great minds to find inspiration.
Mark twain would visit frequently as a guest of honor, though as seemingly innocuous as
life behind the stone gates of Tuxedo Park was, it still held its secrets.
Of the many so called “blue blood” residents was one by the name of Alfred Lee Loomis.
He held degrees from several ivy league schools and was known as one of the earliest ballistics
experts.
Behind the façade of his charming tudor revival mansion, the greatest minds in the world were
propelling technology at a rate unknown to the public.
Loomis called on scientists such as Albert Einstein, Enrico Fermi, and Werner Heisenberg
to use his mansion as a secret lab to develop radar technology.
In later years, as world war 2 forced them out of their countries, they took refuge in
Loomis Lab.
But perhaps we are getting too far ahead, let’s go back a decade to The arrival of
the Great Depression which marked a shift in Tuxedo Park's fortunes.
The once thriving community saw a decline in its affluent population, though it continued
to attract a select few new residents.
Despite these challenges, the village's spirit of resilience shone through.
In 1952, Tuxedo Park was officially incorporated, encompassing over 2,000 acres that included
three lakes and numerous historic estates.
This period also saw the rise of new developments, such as the transformation of Alfred Lee Loomis's
private mansion into what is now known as the Loomis Laboratory.
Architecturally, Tuxedo Park stands as a beacon of American design and innovation.
The village's buildings, such as the St. Mary's-in-Tuxedo Episcopal Church and the original Bruce Price-designed
clubhouse, exemplify a blend of shingle-style, Queen Anne, and Tudor architectural elements.
These designs have not only contributed significantly to the village's aesthetic but have also influenced
modernist architects, including Frank Lloyd Wright, underscoring Tuxedo Park's role in
shaping American architectural trends.
Today, Tuxedo Park maintains its unique character, balancing historical preservation with modern
living.
Its rich history, from colonial iron mines to being the birthplace of the American tuxedo,
weaves a narrative that is deeply embedded in the fabric of American society.
The village, in its quiet elegance and historical depth, continues to be a symbol of American
sophistication, a place where history and modernity coexist harmoniously, reflecting
the evolving American identity.
Which mansion was your favorite?
Let me know down below in the comments section.
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