Olmsted–Beil House, Historic farmhouse in Eltingville, Staten Island, US
The Olmsted-Beil House is a two-story wooden and stone farmhouse on a 0.7-hectare property along Hylan Boulevard. It features thirteen rooms and displays Flemish architectural details with thick fieldstone foundations.
The house originated in the 17th century under Dutch influence and was later occupied and modified by several families. Frederick Law Olmsted lived there from 1847 to 1855 and experimented with ideas that would later shape his most renowned landscape projects.
The house displays Dutch building elements that remain visible today, such as the thick fieldstone foundations and the characteristic combination of wood and stone on the exterior. Its structure tells the story of different owners who shaped and modified it over the centuries.
The site requires a vehicle or public transportation to reach Hylan Boulevard in Eltingville. Visitors should plan ahead, as the house is not fully open for casual visits without prior arrangement.
While Olmsted lived there, he used the grounds as a tree nursery to experiment with exotic tree species such as Cedar of Lebanon and Osage Orange. These plants were later integrated into several of his larger landscape design projects.
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