Howard Zar, Executive Director of Lyndhurst Castle, will speak online on February 23 at 6:30 pm as part of the Morven Museum & Garden’s 2021 Grand Homes & Gardens Distinguished Speakers Series. This year’s overall theme is The Women of the House. Friends of Morven, $18, general public $25. Register by clicking HERE.

Overlooking the Hudson River in Tarrytown, New York, is Lyndhurst, one of America’s finest Gothic Revival mansions. Designed in 1838 by Alexander Jackson Davis, its architectural brilliance is complemented by the park-like landscape of the estate and a comprehensive collection of original decorative arts. Its noteworthy occupants included former New York City mayor William Paulding, merchant George Merritt, and railroad tycoon Jay Gould. The interesting thing about the women at Lyndhurst is that in many ways, they ruled the roost. The initial mansion was funded by Maria Rheinlander, William Paulding’s wife. In an unusual turn of roles, she provided the money and her husband and son did the design and furnishing work. The second owner we will meet died five years after moving in and his wife was left to manage the estate. The Jay Gould family owned it the longest, and daughter Helen Gould, who lived there the longest of any owner, was a noted philanthropist and NYU law school graduate who made some interesting changes to Lyndhurst.Harbor Hill & Beacon Towers: Long Island “Gold Coast” mansions and the women who created them.

About Morven: A National Historic Landmark, Morven is situated on five pristine acres in the heart of Princeton, New Jersey. This former New Jersey Governor’s Mansion showcases the rich cultural heritage of the Garden State through regular exhibitions, educational programs and special events. Thanks to the newly enriched number of national online offerings, we are able to participate in this series of lectures.