The WYNDCLYFE MANSION
Built in 1853 and abandoned since 1950. This place is thought to have inspired the term “Keeping up with the Joneses”.
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This mansion in the Hudson Valley of New York at one time sat on 80-acres (now reduced to a couple) and was purchased by the wealthy socialite Elizabeth Jones in 1853 as a summer house.
A cousin to the Astors and aunt to Edith Wharton, Jones occupied a space in the upper echelons of New York high society. In 1853 she had built for herself this gothic mansion in the sleepy hamlet of Rhinecliff, a hundred miles up the Hudson River.
The 24 bedroom Gothic mansion had towers and gables and arched windows, and looked like something right out of a fairy tale. It was so grand that it prompted a ‘building boom’ as all neighbors started upgrading their houses and thought to be where the saying “Keeping up with the Joneses” was born.
Elizabeth Jones never married, and after her death, the mansion’s later owners fell foul of the Great Depression, until in 1950, the house was abandoned for good. Today Wyndcliffe lies hidden in the thick forests of the Hudson river valley.
It should be restored to it’s former glory.
In the heart of the Hudson Valley, nestled amidst the verdant forests and tranquil hamlets, lies the enigmatic Wyndclyfe Mansion. Built in 1853 by the wealthy socialite Elizabeth Jones, this grand Gothic masterpiece has since become a relic of a bygone era, shrouded in both grandeur and mystery.
Elizabeth Jones, a cousin to the illustrious Astors and aunt to the renowned author Edith Wharton, was a prominent figure in New York high society. In pursuit of an idyllic summer retreat, she commissioned the construction of the Wyndclyfe Mansion in the sleepy hamlet of Rhinecliff. Towering spires, intricate gables, and arched windows adorned the 24-bedroom mansion, evoking a sense of fairy tale splendor that captivated all who beheld it.
The arrival of the Wyndclyfe Mansion sparked a ‘building boom’ among the neighboring estates, as residents sought to emulate its opulence and elegance. Legend has it that this fervor for architectural extravagance gave rise to the phrase “Keeping up with the Joneses,” a testament to the mansion’s influence on the surrounding landscape.
Despite its initial glory, the Wyndclyfe Mansion suffered a tragic fate. Following Elizabeth Jones’s passing, successive owners struggled to maintain its splendor amidst the tumult of economic hardship, culminating in its abandonment in 1950. Since then, the mansion has stood silent and desolate, its once-grand halls echoing with whispers of a bygone era.
Today, the Wyndclyfe Mansion lies hidden amidst the dense foliage of the Hudson River Valley, a haunting reminder of a lost age of elegance and excess. Yet, amidst its decay, there exists a glimmer of hope—a chance to breathe new life into this historic landmark and restore it to its former glory.
The restoration of the Wyndclyfe Mansion presents an opportunity to reclaim a piece of architectural heritage and preserve it for future generations. Imagine the grandeur of its halls restored to their former opulence, the whispers of history echoing through its corridors once more.
As the sun sets over the Hudson Valley, casting its golden glow upon the weathered facade of the Wyndclyfe Mansion, one cannot help but feel a sense of reverence for this timeless testament to the human spirit. For in its faded grandeur lies a story of resilience, of beauty born from adversity—a story waiting to be rediscovered and retold for generations to come.
The Wyndclyfe Mansion, erected in 1853 and forsaken since 1950, holds a unique place in history, believed to have inspired the phrase “Keeping up with the Joneses”. Situated in the picturesque Hudson Valley of New York, this majestic estate once sprawled across 80 acres of land, although today only a fraction remains.
Originally acquired by the affluent socialite Elizabeth Jones in 1853, the mansion served as her summer retreat. A prominent figure in New York’s elite circles, Jones, a cousin to the esteemed Astors and aunt to the celebrated author Edith Wharton, commanded respect and admiration. Nestled in the quaint hamlet of Rhinecliff, a hundred miles up the Hudson River, the Gothic-style mansion with its 24 bedrooms, towering spires, and arched windows exuded an aura of enchantment, reminiscent of a fairy tale abode.
The splendor of the Wyndclyfe Mansion sparked a frenzy among neighboring landowners, igniting a ‘building boom’ as they endeavored to match its grandeur. This fervor birthed the colloquial phrase “Keeping up with the Joneses,” a testament to the mansion’s influence on architectural aspirations in the area.
Following Elizabeth Jones’s passing, the mansion passed through various owners, each grappling with the challenges of economic downturns, notably the Great Depression. By 1950, the once vibrant estate lay abandoned, succumbing to the ravages of time and neglect. Today, Wyndclyfe lies concealed within the dense forests of the Hudson River Valley, a silent sentinel of a bygone era.
Despite its dilapidated state, the Wyndclyfe Mansion holds immense potential for restoration, offering a glimpse into the opulence of yesteryears. Its resurrection would not only honor its storied past but also serve as a beacon of cultural heritage and architectural marvel in the Hudson Valley landscape. The restoration of this iconic landmark stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of Elizabeth Jones and the timeless allure of the Wyndclyfe Mansion.