Bolton Priory

Bolton Priory is a stone and brick residence in Pelham Manor featuring two towers that overlook Pelham Bay. The building reflects Romantic movement architectural styles from England and was constructed with considerable scale and detail.

Reverend Robert Bolton and his family built this residence in 1838, drawing inspiration from English architectural traditions. The house later served as a boarding school for girls, operating until 1883.

The interior spaces display intricate woodwork and stained glass crafted by the Bolton sons, showcasing the artistic skill and attention to detail that defined 19th-century American craftspeople.

The property spans about four acres and sits several hundred feet away from Pelhamdale Avenue in Westchester County. Visitors should note that the grounds were significantly larger at their peak before being reduced over the years.

Washington Irving contributed to the design of the residence and gardens, with his work documented in Andrew Jackson Downing's influential 1841 landscape design publication. This collaboration between a literary figure and landscape architecture makes the property a notable example of early American design innovation.