A Tree (and More) Grows in The Bronx

Did you know that the only tree ever to merit an obituary in The New York Times was The Treaty Oak, a giant white oak that lived a long life on the glorious grounds of the Bartow-Pell Mansion before it was set ablaze by an errant cigar or cigarette in 1906?  Or that the tree was replaced in 1915 with a sapling that turned out to be an elm?

You would… if you visited this historic house, beautifully situated in Pelham Bay Park with views of Long Island Sound.  The land was orginally purchased by Thomas Pell in 1654 and the Grecian style stone mansion, which was built by Robert Bartow in 1836, was opened as a museum in 1946. Since then, visitors have strolled through the elegantly decorated rooms and admired the formal gardens and terraced lawns.

Though time and the elements have taken their toll on the once splendid gardens (thought to be prime examples of horticultural ideals of the early 20th century), a $155,000 restoration campaign in underway to rehabilitate this “Beauty in the Bronx.”

Thanks to American Express and Partners in Preservation, we can all help this cause by voting daily for this project until May 21st.  Bloggers far and wide like The Neo-Traditionalist and Decor Arts are helping out so won’t you, too?

Here’s how:
1.  Click here to go to the Partners in Preservation voting site
2.  Once there, click “By Borough” on the right hand side
3.  Click Bronx and then on the Bartow-Pell tab
4.  Click on Vote (you’ll be asked to create an account via Facebook or follow the prompts)
5.  Come back to the site daily until May 21st!

We think it’s important to preserve beautiful gardens and ensure that the next generation knows an oak from an elm… don’t you?

Photos via Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum