Update: A 1902 cornerstone was recently discovered within the walls of the former Harbor Hill Estate's kennels.
In 1902, many of Harbor Hill's outbuildings were designed by the architectural firm of Warren & Wetmore including stables, barns, the dairyman's cottage, and the dog kennels.
As described by Richard Guy Wilson's book "Harbor Hill: Portrait of a House", "Warren & Wetmore's extensive dog kennels, built in the Stick Style with the framing members placed on the clapboards, was an innovative structure that generated particular interest. Planned to house a pack of hunting hounds, the kennels were arranged in a semi-circle with the runs converging at one end. Rooms were provided for handling the dogs. At either end were cottages for a staff of four dog handlers."
Stewart Donaldson (1907-1994), who worked for Clarence Mackay, described the kennels in Part 4 of his articles on Harbor Hill which can be found in the Bryant Library Local History Collection.
"The kennels [were] built in a half moon shape, with the “dog runs” coming into a central point, more or less. There [was] a cottage on each side of the circle. In the east cottage, Mr. & Mrs. Mercer lived. He was the butler in the 1920s. In the right, or west cottage, Mr. & Mrs. Adam lived. He was the chef in the 1920s. The kennels were brick about 4 feet up, then heavy wire mesh above that. The yards were laid with a small white brick. All they had to do was hose down the yard to keep it clean. And, of course it did not get muddy in wet weather."
Layout of the Harbor Hill Estate Architectural Record July-December 1904
The above images of the kennels and cottages have been provided to the Roslyn Landmark Society by the Armstrong Family Archives. Ed Armstrong was a long-term employee of Clarence Mackay responsible for Mackay's kennels and hunting trips. In the early 1900s, he and his family lived in the cottage surrounding the kennels. In the bottom photo, his daughter Jean Armstrong can be seen in 1903 in front of the kennels.
This 1937 map of the Harbor Hill property indicates the location of the kennels and cottages, close to the barns and Dairyman's Cottage.
In our search to document the Harbor Hill Estate as part of the restoration of the Mackay Estate Gate Lodge, we were surprised to discover that the walls surrounding the kennels and cottages are still standing.
With the permission of the current homeowner, below are images of remnants of the Harbor Hill dog kennels and cottages.
As we were leaving the property, a dog suddenly appeared above the remnants of the wall!
3 Comments
Great stuff. Good to see history is still out there and there are others helping to uncover it so we can all benefit. Thank you!
And so the pursuit of history continues and what was common knowledge a century ago that was then lost to time has been rediscovered and shared here. How wonderful to see such interest and dedication that wasn't really actively sought until now. The Roslyn Landmarks Society is indeed making a noble effort at preservation at a zenith level of enthusiasm. This will long be looked at and referred to for decades to come. Every small piece of information is a piece of the history puzzle, if you have any do not think it may just be insignificant - share it.
Fabulous. A real discovery.!!