Spencer and Katrina Trask designed Yaddo to have a large terrace fronting the lawn, as well as a smaller covered porch. Terraces and porches were common architectural features for late-nineteenth century mansions. During the Victorian period, elite…

Spencer and Katrina Trask completed the present mansion in 1893 after their first mansion, a remodeled Queen Anne style house, burned in 1891. The family was in New York City at the time of the fire. Close friend and Spencer’s business partner…