Harbor Hill: Portrait of a House

Richard Guy Wilson

Praise

“[A] fully illustrated look at this marvelous house and all of its surrounding structures and gardens, along with an in-depth look at the families who’ve called it home over the years.”
  —Long Island Pulse

“Wilson turns this chronicle of what reporters at the time called “Heartbreak House” into a page-turner….entertaining, enlightening cautionary tale.”
  —- Period Homes

“For American History Buffs and those who appreciate the saga of some of the nation’s wealthiest families and the grandest estates, Harbor Hill: Portrait of a House is a real treat. Author Richard Guy Wilson has compiled a riveting life story of not only a prominent turn-of-the-century family, but of their impressive mansion and all that went into the planning and design of a home that was intended to be remembered.”
  —- Romantic Homes

“The book delves into its creation, its owner and family, its place in society- and so much more....[A] worthy history of place we can only imagine.”
  —- LoHud.com

Overview

A "palace" ruled by a "queen," Harbor Hill in Roslyn, Long Island, was commissioned by the beautiful and imperious Katherine Duer Mackay, wife of one of the country's wealthiest men. The mansion along with its magnificent furnishings, art, gardens, and the owners' striving, hubris, and ultimate failure are the dramatis personae of this saga. Stanford White, the architect, wrote, "with the exception of Biltmore, I do not think there will be an estate equal to it in the country." An extravagant product of the desire for social acceptance, the portrait encompasses western mining and old versus new wealth, religious differences and the building of a church, art collecting, and the many people, from the architects, builders, and workers to the servants and staff who ran the house and gardens. Harbor Hill's story includes elements of farce and tragedy; in a sense it is an American portrait.

About the Author

Richard Guy Wilson is Commonwealth Professor at the University of Virginia.

ISBN 10: 0-393-73216-9
ISBN 13: 978-0-393-73216-0
February 2008 / 9 color & 219 black & white illustrations / 264 pages / Hardcover