Manitoga: Russel Wright Estate Manitoga: Russel Wright Estate
PDF Guidebook
LOWER HUDSON
http://www.russelwrightcenter.org/redesign/home.html
584 Route 9D PO Box 249
Garrison, NY 10524
Hours: Monday - Friday at 11am; Saturday and
Sunday at 11am and 1:30pm
Advance reservations required for weekend tours due to limited space. Group Tours are available by appointment only. Please contact the office during regular business hours to reserve space.
Historical Description:
"In the 1930's, 40's and 50's Wright was one of the best known designers in the U.S. At the apex of his career, Wright left New York City and moved his base of operations to Garrison. It was here that he created a unique home and designed landscape. He named it Manitoga, meaning Place of the Great Spirit in Algonquin. Wright shared the Native Americans' respect for the earth."
The Site:
"Wright purchased Manitoga in 1942 and once it became his permanent residence he came to know the plants, rocks, soils, water, climate, and creatures comprising the site, and the successional process that would ensue. It was these that he manipulated, perhaps edited. Some species, exotic and invasive, he removed; others he managed for light and shade. Certain species he introduced, notably wildflowers; others, ferns and mosses, he cultivated.
In this process, RW identified certain locations that offered dramatic experiences or views. They in turn were linked by the pathway system, which did much to demonstrate the richness and natural history of the site."
The public entrance to Manitoga is located in the heart of New York's Hudson Highlands, 50 miles north of Manhattan in Garrison, NY. Manitoga is on Route 9D, 2.5 miles north of the Bear Mountain Bridge and 2 miles south of Route 403. Accessible from Taconic Parkway, Palisades Parkway, NY State Thruway/I-87 and I-84.
From the North:
From Cold Spring on Route 9D, drive south approximately 4 miles. Manitoga is 2 miles south of the intersection of Route 403 and Route 9D, on the left.
From the South:
The most direct route is the Palisades Parkway to the Bear Mountain Bridge. After crossing the bridge take a left (north) onto Route 9D. The entrance to Manitoga is 2.5 miles from the bridge, on the right.