Eagle's Nest
Northport Bay, Centerport, New York

First planned in 1910 as a model bachelor's retreat, "Eagle's Nest" the residence of William Kissam Vanderbilt II evolved over the next 34 years into a palatial estate with a collection of Spanish Baroque Style buildings to include a mansion, boathouse/dock, hangar, swimming pool and bath houses, garage, maintenance complex, memorial, and museum buildings. This scenic property is situated on rolling topography that extends from the entrance gate down to the Northport Bay shoreline. The diverse landscape pallet includes formal tree allées, impressive sculptural elements, open meadows with scenic panoramas of the bay, broad parklands and woodlands with flowering edge plantings. The estate landscape included recreational amenities that were outgrowths of the Vanderbilt lifestyle, such as a golf course, swimming pool, and tennis court. In 1950, the 43-acre estate became a public museum, and the Planetarium, another visitor attraction, was added in the location of the original tennis court in 1970.

The Historic Landscape Report and Preservation Phasing Plan, completed in September 1990, included on-site historic research, existing conditions inventory, landscape analysis, built elements and features analysis, and an overall phasing plan. The report developed a series of priorities and directions for the enhancement of the visitor experience, the preservation of the historic landscape composition, and the treatment of discrete landscape features and sculptural elements. The project met with clear support from the Board of Trustees. The integration of the landscape, as for interpretation of the life and times of William Kissam Vanderbilt, is viewed as a valuable direction to enrich visitor experience and support repeat visitation. A draft Grounds and Gardens tour was also prepared using historic photographs, descriptive text, and a way-finding map. This thirteen-station tour compares and contrasts the Vanderbilt period with the existing conditions. The illustrated format guides the visitor through the estate providing insight into the landscape surrounds and introducing each major attraction. The project developed a harmonious marriage between historic structures, historic landscape, and museum collections, and communicated these relationships to the visitor for an enriched experience of place.

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