1 Cedar Island: all illustrations by Phyllis Tarlow

Given the architectural richness of the community, “Built to Last: Stories in Stone” is an apt title for this year’s Larchmont Historical Society (LHS) spring house tour. The tour generally includes a diverse range of styles, and this year is no different. All five houses on the 2009 tour are distinguished for their varied examples of stonework. From the Colonial Revival home partly clad in uncut stone to the Arts & Crafts one that features a stone foundation and also appears to have been constructed atop a large boulder – all are wonderful examples of the distinctive use of stone. The houses also share interesting histories – each is connected to the early development of its neighborhood and some involve  intriguing personalities. In addition, there are numerous other features and decorative elements that grace each home.

8 Bayard Street

51 Byron Lane

The homes are geographically scattered across Larchmont. One is in the Manor; one in the Village; the remaining three can be found in the unincorporated section of town. Four have never appeared on the LHS house tour before. One of the two Colonial Revival homes incorporates an old stone gatehouse that was originally part of a late 19th century Weaver Street estate; the other was among the first houses in the development originally known as Larchmont Park. One of the Arts & Crafts houses was an early structure in the Larchmont Gardens development; the other is one of several authentic Gustav Stickley homes in Larchmont Woods. The Tudor was designed by the architect of the Larchmont Shores development and built for the man who developed the property.

Besides sharing a common theme of stone, the homes have a connection with water and feature lovely gardens. One house can be found on the shores of the Long Island Sound – connected to its neighborhood by a cause-way. Another sits beside a natural waterfall on its property. One home once had a small pond used for swimming and skating.

Of note, tour-goers will be able to stroll the garden of the Cedar Island home, which has been re-designed by the famous landscaping pair Joe Eck and Wayne Winterrowd of North Hill Garden in Readsboro, Vermont. North Hill is considered one of the most famous private gardens in America. 

Before the Tour: Mr. Eck and Mr. Winterrowd will also be returning to Larchmont for a slide lecture at St. John’s Church on Saturday, April 25th at 3:00 pm, the afternoon before the house tour. The cost of the lecture is $15 for members and $20 for non-members. The pair will be selling and signing copies of their most recent book, Our Life in Gardens, as well.

After the Tour: Fom 3:00 to 6:00 pm on Sunday, April 26, there will be refreshments served at the Mamaroneck Artists’ Guild (MAG) at 126 Larchmont Avenue, Larchmont, NY.

Tickets: The cost of tickets is $35 for members and $40 for guests, and includes entry to the MAG reception. Tickets may be purchased via mail or online - for details, go to larchmonthistory.org. The week prior to the tour, local realtors Houlihan-Lawrence and Sotheby’s will be selling tickets, as well.

126 Hickory Grove	80 Ridge Road

Susan Emery is chairperson of the spring house tour and is on the board of the Larchmont Historical Society, which  was chartered in 1981 as a non-profit organization to discover, preserve and disseminate information concerning the natural, social and civic history of Larchmont and to promote the preservation of historical sites and structures. For more information, visit http://larchmonthistory.org/, call (914) 381-2239 or write PO Box 742, Larchmont, NY 10538.

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