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Sometimes, the best kept secrets are in plain sight. When I moved from Canada to the U.S. eight years ago, I lived in Hastings-on Hudson. It's a charming hilly town on the edge of the Hudson River and an easy commute into Manhattan. I love to explore new places by foot, and it didn't take long for me to stumble on an overgrown secret path leading to an enchanting garden with a large koi pond near the train station.
 
It turned out the garden was part of the Newington Cropsey Foundation,http://www.newingtoncropsey.com/ and backdrop for the spectacular lemon yellow architectural folly. This building is a museum entirely devoted to the works of Jasper Cropsey, one of the Hudson River school of landscape painters who were influenced by the romantic aesthetic of the Victorian era. These artists trekked up and down the scenic Hudson Valley capturing its beauty before the advent of photography.

Of course I wanted to visit the museum, but they were open only by appointment. With their quirky hours and my busy new life, it was not meant to be. I moved to another town and the years slipped away. A few weeks ago, on a walkabout with a Hastings resident and friend, I suggested we check out the garden and finally make an appointment. While there, we happened to meet the official tour guide, Ken Maddox an erudite art historian. He wouldn't let us inside, but kindly told us about the new exhibit of Cropsey's watercolors on until the end of July (a must see if you're in the area and doesn't require an appointment). The private foundation is well funded and admission is free. He also told us we could visit Cropsey's home and studio and pointed to a speck of yellow hidden up a steep ravine. I'd never noticed the house before and was doubly excited to visit. It's always a treat to see where and how artist's lived and created.

After considerable machinations, my friend made the necessary appointments for both the homestead with the cemetery sounding name 'Ever Rest' and the art gallery/museum for last Friday. We were told to begin with the private tour at Ever Rest. The docent, Theresa runs a tight ship. She lives on the property and I assume is a descendant of Cropsey. It was very much like visiting someone's home and I suggest  honoring her wishes. To our amusement, we felt like little girls with a with her brusque 'sit down and watch the video, don't touch and keep out' attitude. Don't even think of arriving two minutes late like I did, or photographing anything inside. (There are some photos on their web site). No matter, we enjoyed every minute. The house and studio are intact with most of Cropsey's furniture and belongings. He trained as an architect and designed many pieces of furniture and the stunning studio with a huge square skylight /cupola is choc-a-block full with his paintings, easels, palettes and personal effects. We could glimpse through the trees a partial view of the Hudson but could only imagine the majestic view in Cropsey's time. Ever Rest is my favorite place this week, and one of Westchester County's best kept secrets. 


The rest of the visit including the magical gardens and the art gallery will be featured in the next Westchester Wednesdays.