During our journey to Upper New York State along the Hudson River Valley, we came across some surprises in the town of Sleepy Hollow. First, we made a visit to tour the Rockefeller estate. The hilltop paradise there known as Kykuit was home to four generations of the Rockefeller family, beginning with the philanthropist John D. Rockefeller, founder of Standard Oil. His business acumen made him, in his day, the richest man in America. Now a historic site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, this extraordinary landmark has been continuously and meticulously maintained for almost 100 years. 
The 40-room house is six-stories, with a mansard roof, and has two basement floors, with many interconnecting underground passageways and service delivery tunnels.
The beaux arts gardens are terraced, with formal axes, and include a Morning Garden, Grand Staircase, Japanese Garden, an Italian Garden, a Japanese-style brook, a Japanese Tea-house, a huge Oceanus fountain, a Temple of Aphrodite, loggia and a semicircular rose garden.
The terraced gardens with views of the Tappan Zee and the Palisades, include fountains, ornamental structures, and a collection of contemporary sculptures.There is a contrast of Greek and Roman pieces along with Asians and modern art sculptures in the gardens.
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| Author Washington Irving graveist |
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| Ever wonder which way the headless horseman rode? |
