Lorenzo State Historic Site

Lorenzo State Historic Site is a painted brick mansion built in 1809 with formal gardens and an arboretum in Cazenovia overlooking the lake. The house is displayed with its original furnishings and surrounded by landscaped paths and planted hedges.

Colonel John Lincklaen, an agent for the Holland Land Company, built this house between 1807 and 1809 after founding the surrounding village. His descendants occupied the property until 1968, preserving much of the original character throughout generations.

The Lincklaen-Ledyard families shaped this place over generations with carefully designed gardens and a notable collection of furnishings that document their way of living. Visitors see the private rooms today much as they were inhabited, with personal objects that tell the family story.

Visiting works best between May and October when guided tours are offered. Comfortable shoes are recommended since exploring the gardens and walking paths involves substantial walking.

The property features the Dark Aisle, a notable planted passage with a double row of white pine, hemlock, and spruce trees created by Ledyard Lincklaen. This leafy corridor provides a shaded walk through the gardens that visitors often find unexpected and memorable.