A.J. Downing Mansion in Newburgh for $179,000

  |  March 5, 2012

If you are a preservationist and want something within an hour from NYC, this Italian Villa is just for you. I must admit, I really want it for myself but, it’s a lot of house to handle. There is however, tons of traceable history. Built c. 1840, this house was either designed by Frederick Clarke Withers or A.J. Downing. A local historian architect says Withers, and I’ve seen documents that say Downing.

The estate which was named “The Glen”, was built for Judge John J. Monell, who was considered one of the most prominent men of Newburgh of his time. There were famous gardens that went almost all the way to Thornton Niven’s house. The “Fountain of Egeria” was a very admired feature of the garden which, I have no clue if still exists today. Downing and Monell lived close to each other and are thought to have been good friends. So much so that after Downing’s death, Monell married Downing’s widow, Caroline DeWindt whose grandmother was the granddaughter of President John Adams. Monell loved the history of the Revolutionary War and, was even able to hear first hand accounts from soldiers who were still alive. Even after Mr. Monell died, many of Newburgh’s leading citizens resided at The Glen.

©Newburgh: her institutions, industries and leading citizens, 1891

The turret on the right and the attic are not original to the house and was probably added in the late 1890’s. The original design is very similar to the “New-Haven Suburban Villa” designed by Downing. I could go on and on about the history of the home from some articles that were sent to me. All the work is done, you don’t have to go digging. Send me an email and I’d be happy to share them. I also have already blogged about this home in past and shared some of the goodies others have seen while touring this home. This is just a small glimpse at the history Newburgh has to offer.

©A.J. Downing, A Treatise on the Theory and Practice of Landscape Gardening , 1844

The price is almost at half at what it was listed about 2 years ago. Yes the taxes are expensive but, the property has been cut up into units as what has happened to many of these homes. One real estate listing says the taxes have been lowered. I would really love to see this home fall into the hands of someone the with money and interest of restoring it. You’d be neighbors with people already doing work to restore estates. Now on to the specifics:

Information for article taken from:

Newburgh: her institutions, industries and leading citizens, 1891
Arthur Channing Downs, Jr. The Architecture and Life of the Honorable Thornton MacNess Niven, 2nd ed, 1972
A.J. Downing.  A Treatise on the Theory and Practice of Landscape Gardening, 2nd ed, 1844

 

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