The Gardens of Wilpen Hall

About

Wilpen Hall, finished in 1897 and now comprising 45 acres, is the last of the Gilded Age mansions still standing in the area and is on the National Register of Historic Places. (Originally 100 acres, the other part of the property was donated to the Borough by the family and contains the Fern Hollow Nature Center.)

Within a third of a mile deer fence, there are five gardens and scattered statuary. The formal garden on the north side of the mansion is all white; it was designed to look splendid in the moonlight when, back in the day, parties would go well into the night as there were houseguests through the summer season. It includes a small water feature.

The rock garden, about 350 feet long, is below the formal garden; it contains a long row of hydrangeas. It leads to the work in progress woodland garden, with a pond and the ruins of the indoor pool house. Two terraces of over 95 varieties of old roses and selected companion plants are on the east side of the mansion. (Two additional terraces are works in progress, containing the outdoor pool and pumpkin patch.)

The cutting garden is on the south side along with raised beds for vegetables, more cutting flowers, and a small scent garden. Verandas circle three sides of the mansion and provide a restful spot to sit on upholstered white wicker to view the formal garden, the two rose terraces and the cutting garden.

Included in Open Days will be the 1897 carriage house containing original carriages. There are two electric utility

vehicles to assist visitors in visiting this building.

This Garden Host reports the following Terrain Notes about the garden: Gardens can be viewed from the verandas. The gardens are recommended only for the sure footed!

2026 Open Day Date: Saturday, June 13

Open Day Hours: 10am–4pm