Payne Mansion
Encyclopedia
The Payne Mansion is located in the town of Esopus
in Ulster County, New York
. The 42000 square feet (3,901.9 m²) Beaux Arts-style palazzo was designed by the renowned architectural firm of Carrère and Hastings
, who also designed the New York Public Library
and the Frick Collection
. It is one of the most architecturally significant houses in the Hudson Valley
and is now owned by Marist College
.
(1839–1917). He served as a colonel in the American Civil War
, during which time he was grievously wounded. Following this he became involved in oil refining and founded the company Clark, Payne & Co. In 1872 it was purchased by John D. Rockefeller
. Payne became the treasurer of Standard Oil
and one of the wealthiest men in America. He constructed the mansion in 1909-11. Payne never married or had children. Upon his death in 1917, the house passed to one of his nephews, Harry Payne Bingham. Bingham donated the estate to the Episcopal Diocese of New York
in 1933, which established the Wiltwyck School for Boys, serving troubled children from 1937-1966. Part of the estate, including the mansion, was purchased by the Marist Brothers
, founders of Marist College
, in 1942. The House was used as a retreat for several years.
, located on the other side of the Hudson River
. The house was estimated to be worth $65 million at the time. Additionally, Rich set aside $10 million for the school to establish a leadership institute. This brings the house full circle following its ownership by the Marist Brothers. The 60 acres (242,811.6 m²) riverfront estate will be retained by the school to be a part of the Raymond A. Rich Leadership Institute. The mansion will possibly be used for speakers, conferences and workshops by the school.
Esopus, New York
Esopus is a town in Ulster County, New York, United States. The population was 9,331 at the 2000 census. The name comes from the local Indian tribe and means "high banks."...
in Ulster County, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. The 42000 square feet (3,901.9 m²) Beaux Arts-style palazzo was designed by the renowned architectural firm of Carrère and Hastings
Carrère and Hastings
Carrère and Hastings, the firm of John Merven Carrère and Thomas Hastings , located in New York City, was one of the outstanding Beaux-Arts architecture firms in the United States. The partnership operated from 1885 until 1911, when Carrère was killed in an automobile accident...
, who also designed the New York Public Library
New York Public Library
The New York Public Library is the largest public library in North America and is one of the United States' most significant research libraries...
and the Frick Collection
Frick Collection
The Frick Collection is an art museum located in Manhattan, New York City, United States.- History :It is housed in the former Henry Clay Frick House, which was designed by Thomas Hastings and constructed in 1913-1914. John Russell Pope altered and enlarged the building in the early 1930s to adapt...
. It is one of the most architecturally significant houses in the Hudson Valley
Hudson Valley
The Hudson Valley comprises the valley of the Hudson River and its adjacent communities in New York State, United States, from northern Westchester County northward to the cities of Albany and Troy.-History:...
and is now owned by Marist College
Marist College
Marist College is a private liberal arts college on the east bank of the Hudson River near Poughkeepsie, New York. The site was established in 1905 by Marist Brothers, and the college was chartered in 1929...
.
History
The name of the mansion derives from Oliver Hazard PayneOliver Hazard Payne
Oliver Hazard Payne was an American businessman, organizer of the American Tobacco trust, and assisted with the formation of U.S. Steel, and was affiliated with Standard Oil. He is considered one of the 100 wealthiest Americans, having left an enormous fortune. His estate at Esopus, New York,...
(1839–1917). He served as a colonel in the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, during which time he was grievously wounded. Following this he became involved in oil refining and founded the company Clark, Payne & Co. In 1872 it was purchased by John D. Rockefeller
John D. Rockefeller
John Davison Rockefeller was an American oil industrialist, investor, and philanthropist. He was the founder of the Standard Oil Company, which dominated the oil industry and was the first great U.S. business trust. Rockefeller revolutionized the petroleum industry and defined the structure of...
. Payne became the treasurer of Standard Oil
Standard Oil
Standard Oil was a predominant American integrated oil producing, transporting, refining, and marketing company. Established in 1870 as a corporation in Ohio, it was the largest oil refiner in the world and operated as a major company trust and was one of the world's first and largest multinational...
and one of the wealthiest men in America. He constructed the mansion in 1909-11. Payne never married or had children. Upon his death in 1917, the house passed to one of his nephews, Harry Payne Bingham. Bingham donated the estate to the Episcopal Diocese of New York
Episcopal Diocese of New York
The Episcopal Diocese of New York is a diocese of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America, encompassing the boroughs of Manhattan, the Bronx, and Staten Island in New York City, and the New York state counties of Westchester, Rockland, Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Sullivan, and...
in 1933, which established the Wiltwyck School for Boys, serving troubled children from 1937-1966. Part of the estate, including the mansion, was purchased by the Marist Brothers
Marist Brothers
The Marist Brothers, or Little Brothers of Mary, are a Catholic religious order of brothers and affiliated lay people. The order was founded in France, at La Valla-en-Gier near Lyon in 1817 by Saint Marcellin Champagnat, a young French priest of the Society of Mary...
, founders of Marist College
Marist College
Marist College is a private liberal arts college on the east bank of the Hudson River near Poughkeepsie, New York. The site was established in 1905 by Marist Brothers, and the college was chartered in 1929...
, in 1942. The House was used as a retreat for several years.
Raymond A. Rich
In 1986, the mansion and 60 acres (242,811.6 m²) was purchased from the Marist Brothers by Raymond A. Rich (1912–2009). Rich was a wealthy businessman and industrialist. Following his purchase, he restored the house to its former glory. Rich was the CEO of U.S. Filters Corp during the 1970’s. He resided in the mansion until his passing in June 2009.Marist College
In September 2009, it was revealed that Rich had bequeathed the estate to Marist CollegeMarist College
Marist College is a private liberal arts college on the east bank of the Hudson River near Poughkeepsie, New York. The site was established in 1905 by Marist Brothers, and the college was chartered in 1929...
, located on the other side of the Hudson River
Hudson River
The Hudson is a river that flows from north to south through eastern New York. The highest official source is at Lake Tear of the Clouds, on the slopes of Mount Marcy in the Adirondack Mountains. The river itself officially begins in Henderson Lake in Newcomb, New York...
. The house was estimated to be worth $65 million at the time. Additionally, Rich set aside $10 million for the school to establish a leadership institute. This brings the house full circle following its ownership by the Marist Brothers. The 60 acres (242,811.6 m²) riverfront estate will be retained by the school to be a part of the Raymond A. Rich Leadership Institute. The mansion will possibly be used for speakers, conferences and workshops by the school.