Conservatory
We visited Wave Hill on Saturday, May 21, 2022, which was their Arts Opening Weekend. We arrived at 10:00 am, just as the Garden opened. It was a beautiful blue sky, sunny morning, and the gardens were still dew kissed from the prior night’s rain. We started our tour at the Marco Polo Stufano Conservatory where sweet peas in brilliant shades of reds and pinks adorned trellises, stunning irises added grace in a multitude of glorious colors, and purple and white alliums stood like tall sentries. Delicate pink peonies resembled tissue paper flowers and were breathtaking against their lush green foliage. Pots of nasturtium and exotically colored pansies with deep purple and orange "faces" overflowed from terracotta planters gracing the steps to welcome visitors.
Allium-Iris
We continued our walk to their Aquatic Garden where the reflecting pool beckoned invitingly with its lily pads and koi fish, then over to their Wild Garden. Throughout the 28-acre gardens there are inviting pergolas, benches, and chairs providing visitors with the opportunity to stop, pause, and reflect along the way. There are also 8 acres of woodland trails to explore.
Aquatic Garden
Interesting to note about Wave Hill, is that Glyndor House, along with Wave Hill House, were once part of a large private estate, and date to the mid-1800s. Acquired by George W. Perkins, he and his family resided in Glyndor House and leased Wave Hill House to his friends. Notable guests who resided at Wave Hill House included the family of a young Theodore Roosevelt (1901 – 1903), Mark Twain and his family, and Conductor Arturo Toscanini whose piano is a testament and legacy of his stay. Mr. Perkins’ daughter Dorothy and her husband Edward Woolsey Freeman and their children moved into Wave Hill House in 1933. In 1962, the Perkins-Freeman family deeded Wave Hill House and the estate to the City of New York, and it opened as a public garden in 1965.
Glyndor House Gallery
During our visit, we had the pleasure of seeing emerging artist exhibitions in the Glyndor Gallery. In the Wave Hill Sunroom Project Space, Artist Kevin Quiles Bonilla presented the installation, "A tropic squall blew in, while you dried in the sand" (May 21, 2022 – July 4, 2022). Born in Puerto Rico, Kevin lives and works in Puerto Rico and New York. This is his first solo exhibition in New York. (Meet the artist: Sunday, June 11, 2022, at 3:00 pm.)
Also presenting her work, was Artist Anina Major, "Garden Hills: Reflections in Memory Yard" (May 21, 2022 – July 4, 2022). Originally from Nassau, Bahamas, Anina now calls New Rochelle, New York home. This is her first solo exhibition in New York. (Meet the artist: Sunday, June 11, 2022, at 3:00 pm.)
The Artist Tahir Carl Kamali originally from Nairobi, now based in Brooklyn, along with Artist Cannupa Hanska Luger born on Standing Rock Reservation, North Dakota, and Artists Lucy Orta (born in United Kingdom) and Jorge Orta (born in Argentina) presented three thought-provoking installations focused on the theme: "Water Scarcity: Perpetual Thirst" (May 21, 2022 – August 28, 2022).
Wave Hill House
After feasting our eyes on the artist installations, we took a short break at Wave Hill House’s lovely restaurant, The Café at Wave Hill, where we stopped to enjoy a light lunch on their covered Kate French Terrace overlooking the gardens. We also took in the exhibition there, "The Nature of Family Portraits," presented by Artists Destiny Belgrave, Sean-Kierre Lyons, Devin Osorio, and Mala Cruz Palileo (March 15, 2022 – July 10, 2022.)
Pigeonwing Dance Company
Rested and refreshed, we walked back to Glyndor Gallery, to experience the New York based Pigeonwing Dance company performing selections from "The Carpet series" choreographed by Gabrielle Lamb for five dancers and performed outdoors on a 5-foot by 8-foot Persian carpet. Performed at 1:00 pm, 1:30 pm, 2:00 pm, and 2:30 pm, the dance ensemble deftly combined the rigors of classical dance with the artistry of contemporary movements to create a presentation of stunning visual lines.
Pigeonwing Dance Company
We continued our visit to Wave Hill by walking the grounds, exploring the other gardens, visiting their Gift Shop, and enjoying the magnificent views of the New York City skyline and the Hudson River from the Lower Perennial Border. Our day spent at Wave Hill was a marvelous getaway, a glorious and harmonious blend of the beauty of nature, arts, and culture. What we especially enjoyed was seeing families of all ages visiting, as well as younger and older couples, and groups celebrating birthdays.
Beautiful gardens
We fell in love with Wave Hill and hope that you will, too. So bring on the romance, stroll the gardens, pause for a kiss under the pergola or maybe even propose, hold hands, enjoy lunch at The Café at Wave Hill or bring a picnic lunch to eat in the attractive courtyard of Glyndor House where white wisteria cascades romantically.
Wisteria
We sign our postcard, "With love from Wave Hill, were art and nature mesh in perfect harmony. Do visit, you will love the experience! Love, Debra and Edward"
Valuable information before you go: Do allow yourself several hours to fully experience and appreciate the natural beauty and Wave Hill’s cultural arts. We spent 4 hours exploring and discovering their offerings, and cannot wait to return, as the gardens are open year-round and there are wonderful programs throughout the year. Visitors can explore the gardens by self-touring or arranging for a private tour (for an additional fee).
Poppies
Upcoming events and performances: Yoga in the Gardens (Sundays, 10:00 am – 11:00 am, May 8 – July 31, 2022), Ailey II at Wave Hill (Tuesday, June 21, 2022, dance performances at 5:00 pm and 7:30 pm.) Visitors have the option of self-guided tours or arranging for a private tour. Wave Hill is also perfect for Weddings and special events, meetings, and celebrations.
Hours: Wave Hill grounds are open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 am until 5:30 pm. Last admission is at 5:00 pm, grounds close at 5:15 pm. Wave Hill House is open from 10:00 am until 4:30 pm, Perkins Visitor Center & The Shop, and The Café are open from 10:30 am until 4:30 pm. The Conservatory is open from 10:00 am until 12:00 pm and from 1:00 pm until 4:00 pm.
Admission: Adults: $10, Students and Seniors (65+): $6, Children (6+): $4, Free for Members. Admission is free on Thursdays however this does not apply to organized groups.
Getting There: Wave Hill is located only 12 miles from Midtown Manhattan and is easily accessible by car, Metro-North (Hudson Line to Riverdale Station), Subway (#1 subway northbound to last stop, Van Cortlandt Park/West 242nd Street), and by Bus. Wave Hill offers a complimentary Shuttle Service at Metro-North Riverdale Station, the subway, and Riverdale Park/Riverdale Country School. Please visit Wave Hill’s website for more information.
Parking: Members: $10, Non-Members: $13
For additional information on Wave Hill and their upcoming programs and events, please visit their website: www.wavehill.org
Mailing Address
675 West 252nd Street
Bronx, New York 10471
United States
Telephone: +1-718-549-3200
Email: information@wavehill.org
Website: www.wavehill.org
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/WaveHill
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