Research

The Museum Services Branch mantains the museum collections and information on the history of the park and resources of interest to scholars, students, and researchers. The museum collection includes original furnishings and artworks from the Vanderbilt Mansion, historic archival material including original estate records, ledgers, account books, diaries, and photographs that illustrate the history of the property, including the farm, the park and formal gardens.

The Museum Branch also maintains a reference library, oral histories, historian's files, news clippings, and the park's resource management records. Consult the Repository Finding Aid for more information.

Access to museum collections, archives, and reference materials are available to the public by appointment. Additionally, some research reports and resources are available online. For further inquiries, or to make an appointment, contact the Collection Manager by email, or by calling 845-229-2465.

Image Collections

Image collections include historic images of the estate prior to National Park Service ownership. The bulk of these images relate to the construction of the Vanderbilt Mansion and development of the grounds and gardens. The archives also maintain images from the adminstrative records documenting preservation and conditions of the property during National Park Service ownership.

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Estate Management Records

The estate management records includes order books, employee time and payroll records, and limited business correspondence from the years 1895 to 1938.

Architectural Records Collection

The architectural records collection includes drawings and specifications for estate features including those designed by McKim, Mead & White, Whitney Warren, James Greenleaf, Thomas Meehan & Sons, and Robert Cridland.

Sound Recordings Collection

The collection contains approximately 200 cataloged interviews with significant figures in the early history and development of the Vanderbilt and Roosevelt properties. Full transcriptions of interviews do not exist for all interviews. Recordings are represented in a variety of media. Digital use copies are available for some recordings.

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Objects Collection

Documentaion is maintained for the 8,000 objects in the park's museum collection. This includes original furnishings and artworks from the mansion, automobiles, carriages, and garden ornament. Object collections may be accessed for research through appointment.

VIEW ONLINE COLLECTIONS

Administrative Reports

The Administrative Reports collection includes National Register documentation, history reports, documentation for the preservation of historic structures, landscapes, and gardens, and a range of management reports that aid park management in park preservation, planning, and use.

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