Enjoy More Stately Mansions in New York City

Good morning, Live Better than a Billionaire-a-Holics!

Are you feeling motivated this morning? I certainly hope so.

Most people miss the best of New York City when they visit. Sure, they may find their way to Broadway, Trump Tower, Ellis Island and a few museums. But many of the greatest delights can only be found by going to lesser known places . . . especially the mansions that are open to the public.

While no blog entry could possibly list every mansion in New York that you can visit, I wanted to provide you with enough entertainment to keep you busy for two days . . . which will probably get you started in finding your favorite New York mansions.

Before launching your trip, be sure to become a member of the American Association of Museums. You'll save a bundle on admissions. Find out how to qualify at www.aam-us.org/.

I think that a good place to start is to visit the Museum of the City of New York, located at 1220 Fifth Avenue (at 103rd Street). The Web site is www.mcny.org and you will find many photographs there of the mansions that have graced the city over the years. Plus, you'll probably locate many other interesting sites that you wouldn't otherwise know about.

From there, geographically you'll find it easiest to mosey to some of the mansions that house museums in the area. I suggest The Jewish Museum as your next stop. Located at 1109 Fifth Avenue at 92nd Street, The Jewish Museum is housed in the Warburg family mansion and contains a great collection of material and art about New York's distinguished Jewish history. The web site is www.thejewishmuseum.org/.

Just a block away, you have another treat ahead of you at the Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum, which is located in Andrew Carnegie's 64-room mansion built in 1899-1902 to mimic a Georgian style country home. You'll also enjoy the wonderful product designs and decorative arts on display there. The Cooper-Hewitt is located at 2 East 91st Street at Fifth Avenue. For more information go to http://ndm.si.edu/.

Most people miss the next gem, the National Academy Museum, which is located at 1083 Fifth Avenue between 89th and 90th Streets. This mansion was the home of Archer Milton Huntington and his sculptor wife, Anna Hyatt Huntington. Mr. Huntington was the heir to the Huntington railroad fortune. This Beaux Arts building was created by expanding several existing buildings in 1913 and is famous for its beautiful staircase. This mansion contains much of the finest American art in the world. The National Academy is comprised of academicians who make up the foremost American artists, and they share their work with their fellow citizens in this beautiful location. The Web site is www.nationalacademy.org/. My son is an assistant curator at this museum, and I would like thank him for introducing me to most of these mansions.

From there, swing east towards the river until you arrive at Gracie Mansion which was built as a country home by Archibald Gracie in 1799. Beautifully situated on the river at 88th Street and East End Avenue, be sure to walk in the park grounds that were once part of the estate. Tours are available to the public through advanced reservations on Wednesdays. For more information, call 212-570-4751. The Web site is www.nyc.gov/html/om/html/gracie.html/. Gracie Mansion was the first home for the Museum of the City of New York and currently serves the mayor.

You have a great treat ahead of you as you now head southwest towards 1 East 70th Street (between Madison and Fifth) where you will locate the Frick Collection, housed in the mansion of Henry Clay Frick, of coke and steel fame. This museum has a great collection of paintings from the Renaissance through the end of the 19th century. Inside, you will delight in the Garden Court where a skylight, greenery and the gentle sounds of water will relax you. It's a perfect place to enjoy tranquility on either a hot summer or a cold winter day. You'll feel better than a billionaire when you do! The Frick's Web site is www.frick.org/.

If you don't mind a trek, you have a treat ahead near Washington Square when you visit the Merchant's House Museum at 29 East 4th Street. This home was built in 1832 for the Tredwell family who lived there for over 100 years. The Tredwells were prosperous merchants, and their home is the only site in New York that has been restored inside and out to present 19th century living. You can learn more at www.merchantshouse.org/.

Naturally, there are other mansions in New York. Keep your eyes open as you stroll from one museum to the next . . . and feast on the many exciting exteriors you will see!

In future blogs, I'll be sure to share information about mansions in other cities. Check out my July 20 blog entry about visiting Newport, Rhode Island.

Enjoy your mansion viewing . . . wherever you do it!

Tomorrow, I'll tell you how to become a sought-after book reviewer who regularly receives gifts from celebrities.

On Saturday, you'll hear about the opening of training camp for the New England Patriots. If you are going to be in Massachusetts, check out the schedule for attending training camp beginning on July 29 at www.patriots.com. Attendance and parking are free, and there are many wonderful activities for the whole family. I'll be sharing tips on how to get many wonderful autographs from the World Champions.

Sunday, I'll share with you the value of having a special spiritual place where you can find solace and peace.

On Monday, I'll recommend some more wonderful homes, mansions and estates for your visiting pleasure. Hopefully, by then I'll be able to tell you about my plans to visit other properties for the first time through your suggestions as a result of reading today's blog entry.

On Tuesday, I will describe some of the key lessons in Jack Canfield's book, The Success Principles, and share my review with you of that wonderful resource.

Wednesday, you will explore how to improve your communications to find out more and to persuade others to be more cooperative. This blog entry can change your life!

Next Thursday, I'll describe how you can enjoy whale and dolphin watching around the world and see sights that few billionaires have enjoyed.

Please feel free to let me know what else you would like to learn, and I'll do my best to help in future blog entries.

Thanks so much for your support of this blog. I'm delighted that so many thousands of people have made this blog part of their regular reading habit!

If you like this blog, please let others know who might also enjoy it.

May God bless you.

Donald W. Mitchell, Your Dream Concierge

Copyright 2005 Donald W. Mitchell