Much like the surrounding forests, the lakes and streams are essential components of Yaddo’s pastoral landscape. Similar to other lakes and ponds around Saratoga Springs, the Yaddo lakes were carved out by retreating glaciers. In 1932, the…

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…

The forests surrounding the Yaddo mansion are one of the estate’s notable landscape features. Visitors travel down meandering dirt lanes winding through the forests before arriving at the mansion or gardens. The forests are key in creating the…

In addition to designing the formal Rose Garden in 1899, Spencer and Katrina Trask also created a more informal woodland Rock Garden between the house and the Rose Garden. The Trask’s design process for the Rock Garden is even less well-documented…

The Trasks began to plan the Rose Garden during the summer of 1899 after they decided to make Yaddo into an art colony. Katrina Trask wrote that she did not feel like she could design the Rose Garden until she knew who would use it after her and…

Four and a half years after breaking ground on West Hill overlooking Ithaca's downtown, the Ecovillage at Ithaca (EVI)’s first neighborhood, called FROG (First Residential Group), hosted an open house for new residents and the public to experience…

The Brethren’s Workshop, located in this four story red brick building, was constructed in 1829. It was primarily used to house the many workshops that employed Shaker Brothers, although in its early days it was used by the Sisters as a laundry…

Lost among overgrown vegetation and structural ruins, the grounds surrounding White Pines were once home to magnificent gardens that titillated all of the senses in a beautiful and practical way. Ralph Radcliffe Whitehead cultivated two gardens at…