PRESERVATION

Conserving and Restoring one of America’s Most Treasured Landmarks

CURRENT PRESERVATION WORK: Conducting an Existing Conditions Survey of Compromised Masonry Walls

Old Westbury Gardens has been awarded a Preserve New York grant from the Preservation League of NYS to conduct an existing conditions survey of compromised masonry retaining walls adjacent to the Service Wing and extending eastward to the East Lake Overlook and grotto. The project will involve architectural conservators assessing the structural soundness of the walls based on probes, past engineering reports, and the effects of water pressure and tree roots on the structures. The Preservation League receives support from the Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation for projects in Nassau and Suffolk counties.

Click on each image below to expand and read more information.

**Architectural conservator Kurt Hirschberg examining soil content of lawn at top of Overlook**

North Retaining Wall is located along the North wing of the Service Wing

South Retaining Wall is located outside of the newly restored kitchen area

Grotto - The concrete retaining walls on either side of the East Lake swimming pool and grotto are also suffering from poor drainage and mature tree roots damaging the walls

Grotto -Westbury House was built on an artificial rise that is affected by water pressure to the east and west. This phenomenon is affecting the roof of the grotto and damaging the columns below

**South Terrace of Westbury House:**

The rhythmic design of the Hampton Court wall creates visual interest and a sense of scale in these landscape features.

On the topic of walls, visitors are likely familiar with the Walled Garden and the South Terrace. Correspondence between Jay Phipps and George Crawley, the designer of Westbury House, reveals that Phipps was intensely involved in the design and construction of his Long Island estate. The two men were in almost daily contact, reviewing purchases of oak paneling, stairwells, flooring—every detail a new homeowner would want to oversee. The South Terrace, which provides one of the iconic views of Westbury House, was the subject of a major disagreement between the designer and his patron. Mr. Phipps balked at the initial cost of the project and repeatedly suggested alternative, cheaper construction materials such as terra cotta for the balustrades (which would have been a disaster), and later, fabricating the main staircase to the south lawn from cement and narrowing the walkway at the upper level.

There was a stalemate between the two men for almost a year until it seems that Crawley got his way—no terra cotta or cement, but limestone for the balustrades and staircases. It appears that Mr. Phipps had a change of heart and put his trust in Crawley’s design. In a letter from Mr. Phipps to Crawley dated November 20th, 1905, while Mr. Phipps was in London, he writes, “I am motoring to Hampton Court tomorrow to have a look at the wall there. I am daily expecting a cable from you stating the cost of the terrace wall, with niches, without niches, etc.”

Hampton Court Palace was home to various English royalty, among them Henry VIII. So what wall was Mr. Phipps going to visit? There are numerous brick walls throughout the grounds, but the great influencer was the brick wall by the tennis courts. The wall is defined by a series of vertical brick pilasters enhanced with stone blocks—a design element found in both the South Terrace wall and the Walled Garden walls.

**Hampton Court Brick Wall**

This is the wall that inspired George Crawley in his design for the Walled Garden and South Terrace

As Mr. Phipps wrote in his letter, the “effect is certainly improved” from a plain brick wall. And in a change of tone about expenses, he muses, “I leave the matter entirely to you to do as you think best.”

~Lorraine Gilligan, Director of Preservation

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