Architectural model of a Southampton residence.

Architectural model by model maker Gary Lawrance, AIA of a residence designed by Fleetwood & McMullan Architects. 

Click HERE to see more models by Gary Lawrance, AIA from his Exhibition, " Phenomenal Places" at the Southampton Historical Museum.

Garden at the Southampton estate of Peter Wyckoff

The colorful garden of the Wyckoff estate which was located at the western end of Gin Lane near Lake Agawam in Southampton.

The gardens at the Wyckoff estate in it's heyday were some of the most beautiful in the Hamptons. The property later was sold to Jessie Woolworth Donahue, who with her husband James redid the whole estate, making it into one of the most luxurious in the Hamptons.Unfortunately the house and gardens no longer exist, except for the carriage houses and the pool house built on the ocean by the Donahues, which could easily be mistaken for the original mansion since it has been expanded over the years. Wooldon Manor is featured in the book, " Houses of the Hamptons, 1880-1930", by Gary Lawrance & Anne Surchin. Click HERE to see a review of the book on New York Social Diary and for more views of Wooldon Manor. Click HERE to see the property today on Bing Maps.

Southampton Vs. Newport

Newport, Rhode Island, is a summer resort to which thousands of the wealthy throng each year to strive for social recognition.  Southampton, Long Island, is a quiet seaside village whither a few hundred of the old New York aristocracy go each summer to get away from Newport and all it signifies.  Newport is rich and blatantly proud of it.  Southampton is wealthy and gives the matter little or no concern.  Newport is a battleground for those who have social campaigns to wage.  Southampton is a resting place for men and women who have never found it necessary to fight or buy their way into society.

The above passage is from,

The Social Ladder, by Mrs. John King Van Rensselaer

This book written in 1924 by Mrs. Van Rensselaer is one of the best books that chronicles the era of the, " Gilded Age".  Her reflections on the era from someone who like  Edith Wharton lived through it are insightful. The book covers not only Southampton and Newport, but  gives a complete analysis of High Society in the Gilded Age.  During the, "Gilded Age", Newport was always considered the, "Queen of Resorts" and all the other resorts of the era where often  compared to Newport. Southampton, which in this time was often called the, " Little Newport".

Click HERE for another amusing story about Southampton and Newport.
Click HERE for a great story about Newport Society.

Nid De Papillon, East Hampton

Nid De Papillon, East Hampton, New York

Nid De Papillon was built in 1917 on the dunes in East Hampton for Robert Appleton and his wife. It was designed by architect, Frank Eaton Newman and is most noted for its unique shingled roof, recalling the English cottage style. The home is still existing and can be clearly seen from the beach, next to the Maidstone Club. Click HERE to see on Bing maps.

Nid De Papillon is a featured house in, Houses of the Hamptons, 1880-1930, by Gary Lawrance and Anne Surchin, Acanthus Press 2007. You can preview the book HERE to see some of the homes within. You can also order Housesof the Hamptons, 1880-1930 through Acanthus Press. Be sure to look at their website and at the many other wonderful books that they publish.

Click HERE to read a review of the book in New York Social Diary.

The Private Rich

Here is an interesting book which contains rarely seen photographs of the rich in their homes, resorts and just lounging about. Yachts, Tennis, Travel, Parties, Debutantes, Polo, Gardens, Horses, Fox Hunting. The world of Palm Beach, Newport, Southampton, The Riviera. It is a small book and the stories are fictitious, but intertwined amongst beautiful images of the rich at play. This book presents an authentic picture of the Downton Abbey, Gatsby and Ralph Lauren lifestyles. F. Scott Fitzgerald in his novel, The Great Gatsby, said about his characters, Tom Buchanan & Daisy Buchanan, " They had spent a year in France for no particular reason, and then drifted here and there unrestfully, wherever people played polo and were rich together.” This book is like a wonderful scrapbook put together by Uncle Willy and Aunt Babs.  I would recommend it for those who are real devotees of the subject.

While researching this I found this fun blog, Stuff WASPs Like.

The Private Rich, A Family Album/ Stories by Peter Rand and photographs edited by Elizabeth Bird,Crown Publishers, Inc., New York.

Click HERE to see it on Amazon and read more about it.