Lyndhurst Mansion may be familiar to viewers of the HBO series The Gilded Age since a number of this historic house’s rooms served as filming locations for the show.
And its former owner was one of the most notorious figures of the Gilded Age — Jay Gould.
He was known as the one of the era’s most ruthless robber barons. He tangled with the Vanderbilts for control of the railroads and fought battle after battle on Wall Street.
But there was a less contentious side to him as well. Gould sought respite from New York City with his family at his country home, Lyndhurst Mansion in Tarrytown, a rolling estate where he could transition from Wall Street warrior to father and husband.
In this special episode, The Gilded Gentleman travels to Lyndhurst for a look inside both the mansion and the life of Jay Gould. Howard Zar, executive director of Lyndhurst, joins Carl for a fascinating interview recorded in the picture gallery in Jay Gould’s own mansion.
Surrounded by Gould’s precious hand-chosen art collection (still hung as Gould intended), Howard and Carl delve into what life was like at the Mansion and what visitors can see today.
As a special treat, follow along with Howard and Carl on a tour through the Mansion visiting Gould’s reception room, library, private office and dining room.
Download the latest episode of The Gilded Gentleman on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast or wherever you get your podcasts.
Or listen to it right here:
And check out these photos, all taken by Carl Raymond.
5 replies on “The Secrets of Lyndhurst Mansion, Jay Gould’s Gilded Age Escape”
Hello from Jefferson, TX. Your podcast about Lyndhurst and Jay Gould showed up in my husband’s google feed on his cell phone. We have just finished listening to your podcast. I am a member of the Jessie Allen Wise Garden Club in Jefferson, TX. The garden club is not your typical garden club as we own Jay Gould’s railcar, the Atalanta, and the oldest continuously operated hotel in TX, the Excelsior. During your tour of Lyndhurst, Mr. Zar showed you the silver model of the Atalanta in Jay’s office. He referred to Jefferson as a village but Jefferson is actually a very small incorporated city with a population of approximately 1800. My husband and I retired here from Houston, TX around 5 years ago and we love it. Jefferson, TX is a historic city with a very interesting past. We have a Carnegie Library, the Jefferson Historical Museum, the Caddo Lake nearby and many wonderful restaurants. I subscribed to your podcasts as I really enjoyed your podcast. If you are ever in TX, I hope that you will stop in Jefferson. We are a 30 min. drive from the airport in Shreveport, LA and about a 3 hr. drive from Dallas.
Best Regards,
JS
So glad a Jeffersonian responded to this article on Jay Gould. Also, Gould wrote in the hotel registry a curse on the town. Would be interesting to see a movie or piece on his time in Jefferson and the aftermath.
I simply love this gilded mansion
Loved looking inside!
I believe the movies “House of Dark Shadows” and “Night of Dark Shadows” we’re filmed at Lyndhurst.