Gilded Age Living In The Finger Lakes - Sonnenberg

The 50-acre Sonnenberg Gardens and Mansion State Historic Park is located in Canandaigua, New York. This historic estate features a former summer mansion, a remarkable collection of period garden architecture, nine formal and informal gardens, decorative statuary, and an extensive greenhouse complex.

The property was gifted to New York State by philanthropists Frederick Ferris Thompson and Mary Clark Thompson. Frederick was a New York City banking financier and a co-founder of what would later become Citicorp, while Mary was the daughter of New York State Governor Myron Holley Clark.

Following Frederick’s death in 1899, the widowed Mary Thompson, together with her staff, created the estate’s nine formal and informal gardens between 1901 and 1920, transforming the property into a living memorial to her husband. The Thompsons had no children, and upon Mary’s death in 1923, the estate passed to a nephew. In 1931, the property was sold to the federal government, leading to the construction of the Canandaigua VA Medical Center. The mansion was subsequently repurposed to house physicians and nurses before eventually becoming part of the present-day historic park.

Here is what caught my eye. I hope you enjoy!

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Pictured here is an entrance to one of the greenhouses that make up the Greenhouse Conservatory Complex.

One of the few remaining Lord & Burnham designed greenhouses is part of the Conservatory Complex, which includes the domed Palm House. It was built between 1903 and 1915, and is considered one of the most important residential greenhouse complexes in the U.S.

The main entrance and porte cohere of the 40-room Queen Anne-style mansion was built in 1887, designed by Ernest Bowditch and John Handrahan.

The center turret and wide porches of the verandah appear on the south and west sides of the mansion.

The many balconies and porches provide places to admire the extensive gardens.

One can approach the Blue and White Garden from the wide verandah.

The path leading from the main house into the Italian Garden has sunken sections planted with annuals, surrounded by yews.

The Billards Room was Frederick’s favorite room at Sonnenberg.

The dining room glass doors opened on to what they called the summer dining room for alfresco dining.

Dining room

Here is another view of the second-floor balcony, fireplace and suit of armor in the Great Hall.

This 1874 baby grand piano in the Great Hall is still used today for different events.

Here is a section of the second floor balcony, with hunting trophies over the fireplace in The Great Hall.

The wall of windows in the Great Hall

The Great Hall

This staircase leads to the second floor. Unfortunately, during my visit the second floor was closed as a Covid precaution.

The staircase to the second floor has a stained glass skylight.

The Study

The Trophy Room

A quite place to sit

The Library

Sitting room with arches

Alcove with peacock centerpiece off of the sitting room

Sonnenberg - German for “sunny hill”

A view of the mansion from the Italian garden

Pictured her is the gate entering the Blue and White garden room was designed in 1911. Blue and white colored blossoms are mixed with ferns and palms.

The Belvedere walkway separates the Italian garden from the Rose garden.

The Italian gardens and the Belvedere walkway

What remains of the Temple of Diana

The secret Sub Rosa Garden, enclosed with boxwood hedges with no flowers, was created with a white marble fountain in 1907.

Sub Rosa Garden marble bench detail

The Rose Garden with 2,500 rose bushes, was created in 1906, and has a tall iron tower with spiral staircase.

The Colonnade arbor stretches across the Old-Fashioned Garden.

The Colonnade arbor

The Peacock House / Aviary complex was built between 1902 and 1912. Of the five original building in the complex, only this one survives.

An outbuilding on the estate

An outbuilding on the estate

The Rock Garden, formerly three gardens (Wild Garden, Lily Garden and the Rock Garden) was completed in 1919. It included an informal garden, a wooded garden, canyons, alpine plantings and water features.

An inviting archway in the Rock Garden

The Tori Gate forms the entrance to the first privately owned Japanese Garden in the United States, created in 1906.

Buddha

This bridge and teahouse was modeled after a very old teahouse in Kyoto.

The Roman bath-style swimming pool area was built in 1914 and has not yet been restored.

When I visited the Sonnenberg mansion, the second floor could not be visited due to Covid precautions. The site hosts an orchid show, rose week, moonlight strolls and an annual Arts At The Garden show.

What you should know:

• The grounds are open from May 1 though October 31; check the website for schedules.

• There are restrooms available.

• There are many walking trails.

• One price admission fee includes parking, the gardens and guided mansion tour.

• Tickets are purchased at the Admission Booth and do not need to be purchased in advance.

• You could spend a few hours to an entire day.

• Picnicking is allowed.

• There is a cafe located in the Gardener’s House.

Location:

151 Charlotte Street, Canadaigua, New York

For more information: Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion