Age Taking Its Toll on Blithewood Pavilion
The beginning of the end has become painfully visible. At 118 years old, the beloved and iconic pavilion at the far western end of Blithewood Garden is in serious disrepair due to age and prolonged exposure to the elements. Also known as the “summer house,” this open-air belvedere has Ionic and Doric columns and a batten-seam copper roof with 12 ornate urns. The pavilion serves as the terminus of the garden’s main axis and is its central architectural feature. It is a favorite destination for garden visitors seeking respite, shade, or simply a closer look at the view of the Hudson River and Catskill Mountains beyond. Unfortunately, this past fall, one of the column bases disintegrated to the point where the column above began to buckle, compromising the stability and safety of the entire structure.
Due to concerns that the weight of the roof is now too much for the columns to support, we added bracing underneath the structure until a more permanent repair can be made. Sadly, visitors will not be able to enjoy this elevated outdoor room until funds are raised for the necessary head-to-toe rebuilding of the pavilion. With the ongoing support of the Garden Conservancy, the Friends of Blithewood hope to achieve this goal in the near future.
