The Estate and Environs
  East Gate House
West Gate House
Stables and Coach House
Power House and Engineer's House
The Palm House
Toolhouse and Potting Shed
The Ice House
The Bowling Alley
Laundry
The Farm and Later Artist Colony
Vanderbilt Tea House
Oakdale Railroad Station
Other Buildings in Idle Hour
The Mansion
  The First Mansion
The Second Mansion
Entrance Hall
Dining Room
Living Hall
Library
Queen Anne Salon
Corridor
Smoking Room
Cloisters
Palm Garden
Tennis Court & Cloister Wing
Staircase
The Second Floor
The Third Floor
Basement
Post Vanderbilt Years
Dowling College
Home > About Us > The Estate and Environs - Toolhouse and Potting Shed


The Estate and Environs
Toolhouse and Potting Shed

Toolhouse and Potting Shed The Vanderbilts were intent on raising their own plants to landscape Idle Hour. Accordingly, the Toolhouse and Potting Shed, believed to be designed by Richard Howland Hunt and built by William Bason and Sons, was constructed in 1902. It was situated at the southern end of Central Boulevard, adjoining the greenhouses located on Connetquot Drive. A two and a half story Georgian brick structure of four bays, topped with a hip roof containing two gable roof dormers, its rear (west) side was constructed without windows to facilitate the early growth of seedlings. The exterior brickwork features flying buttresses and segmented arches over the east window and door openings.

The ground floor living-dining area is topped by heavy ceiling beams; reportedly, the storage of apples on the upper floor necessitated beams of their size.

The Potting Shed was converted to a private residence at the end of World War II, and has been the residence of just two families since that time.

Adjoining the house is an "antique" swimming pool, converted from the original power house basement by the first resident in the early nineteen fifties when it was discovered by him during landscaping efforts. The diving block was formed from the original power house chimney area.

Visit The Ice House.