Who knew that a near replica the Clue mansion exists, empty and forgotten, in Yonkers?
Not to be mistaken with Boddy Manor, the above is actually Alder Manor, one of the most amazing places I’ve ever had the pleasure of scouting. It’s located in Yonkers, and, unbelievably, it’s completely vacant and has been left to decay for years.
I’m posting these pictures in part to take you on a tour of an amazing piece of architecture, and in part to get the word out that such a place exists and is available for rental (film, weddings, events [murder mystery overnighter, anyone?]).
Come inside, and watch out for Miss Scarlett holding that candlestick…
Alder Manor was built in 1912 by William Boyce Thompson, an extremely successful copper magnate. Boyce hired architects to design a 72-room country estate for entertaining (he lived in New York City at the time) on 22 acres of hilltop land in then rural Yonkers. After the death of he and his wife, the mansion fell into ruin as it was traded between owners who had no use for it. Finally, in the past few years, it was purchased by Tara Circle, an Irish cultural group that is dedicated to restoring it.
When you first enter, you find yourself in the enormous Front Hall, with a huge grand staircase off to one side (note: some of these pics are very wide pans, and you’ll have to click to full-size ‘em for the full effect).
Off of this in the south-west corner is my favorite room, The Library:
The library again, with a great stone fireplace. I love how the books go over the doorway.
From a distance, the room looks like it’s in excellent condition. It’s only when you get a little closer that you realize how much restoration is needed. Wood is rotting, the paint is fading and chipped…This ceiling picture gives you a better idea (all in all, a great candidate for restoration):
Next door to the library is what I imagine to be the Ballroom, with rich reds and blues complementing the mahogany woodwork:
A painting over the fireplace is still in excellent shape:
Across the hall is what I imagine was the dining room, as a short hallway behind where I was standing leads to the Kitchen (no secret passageways that I could find, sadly):
On the second floor was something that completely blew me away: an indoor pool. ON THE SECOND FLOOR. BUILT IN 1912.
I cannot tell you how amazing this room was in person. The faded lime green paint, the black and white tiling on the pool…Apparently, there used to be antique Tiffany glass here, until someone found out and stole it. Fuckers.
Down the hall from the pool on the second floor is the stair landing, and this organ…
…which connects to pipes way up on the third floor! It’d be awesome to hear this echoing throughout the manor.
As you’re walking through the mansion, there are tons of artistic details to be found everywhere, like this bit of a ceiling painting:
This was on a door:
This was the design on the wall abutting the stairs:
The second and third floors house TONS of bedrooms. Bedroom after bedroom after bedroom. Oh, and a Conservatory at one end:
The gardens behind the manor are absolutely beautiful. I went just after it had snowed, which was amazing.
A gazebo in perfect condition, along with a pool:
A beheaded eagle greets you when you enter through the back:
A wall with various reliefs:
A Greek theater, where plays and other entertainments were once performed:
Another pool:
I’m disappointed (and a bit nervous) to find that the website for the current owners of the property, Tara Circle, is not working. If you’re interested in using Alder Manor for an event, film shoot, or pretty much anything (they had just done a photo shoot in the old pool for a fashion magazine when I was there) and need contact info, try the Yonkers Film Office. The fee for the space goes right back into restoring the mansion, and I’m hoping that in 10 or 20 years, Alder Manor will have returned to the grandeur of its past.
And hey, if you’ve made it this far, think about subscribing to our RSS feed or Twitter account (if you haven’t already) for future updates!
-SCOUT
PS – For anyone counting, there was a front hall, library, ballroom, dining room, kitchen, and conservatory. In addition, there were empty rooms on the ground floor that could have easily served as the billiard room, lounge, and study.
PPS – Across the street from the manor in FAR worse shape is the abandoned Boyce Research Institute. I took some pictures which I’ll post in a future entry.
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Tags: Alder Manor · blogsherpa · Yonkers40 Comments
40 responses so far ↓
Phenomenal! I really enjoy your site. I am a recently ‘retired’ scout in Winnipeg, Manitoba – it’s fun to see the NY perspective. I’m forwarding this one to some LM colleagues – they’re going to love it. Keep it up Scout!
Just spectacular! Thanks so much for sharing these marvellous pics of a wonderful piece of the past
I always love the blog, but this post is one of the best ever. The photos are great and the location is amazing. Thank you so much for sharing these.
Good gravy, what an amazing house. Great shots, too.
It’s sad that it’s sitting empty.
Do you know if it’s been used as a film/tv location before? And for which productions?
It totally feels like it’s a house that could have been put to good use as the Darling manse (damn DSM for shooting not-NY for NY) or for a Waldorf/Van der Woodsen/Bass retreat.
Thank you so much for posting this! Truly beautiful and a shame that it’s abandoned. This location was just featured for the majority of a Gossip Girl episode and looks like it will make a few comeback location appearances (shameless fan, I know… !)
This is INCREDIBLE! It’s hard to believe places like this exist and are so neglected. Thanks for this post.
Oh my gosh! I’m almost speechless. That coffered ceiling in the library! The shape of the pool! The pipe organ! The painted ceiling details!
Simply stunning. Wow. I hope the economic downturn doesn’t throw too much of a spanner in the work of the restoration.
And hey–there are those bucrania–the ox skulls I mentioned at your Lamb’s Theater post!
I dont’ read many blogs but this one has caught my attention. I’ll be coming back for me.
What a great find. Walking through houses like that is always fascinating and a tad spooky — but in a good way. There is so much spirit in an old big house. I wish I could have joined you. Keep up the great work!
Wow. I grew up in the NY area and always loved exploring. I can’t believe this is in Yonkers. The level of detail and ornateness is astounding.
I need to live in this house!!
[...] The Clue Mansion…in Yonkers? http://www.scoutingny.com/?p=655 [...]
Before Alder Manor was bought by Tara Circle it was part of Elizabeth Seton College run by the Sisters of Charity. The sisters lived in the manor. Some of the many rooms were used as classrooms and there was a library in the basement. I worked there as faculty from 1975 thru 1982 and was fortunate enough to have my wedding there as well.
Love your web site!
This is just amazing! It’s like my dream house…
I have fallen completely in love with the Manor. My fiance once attended classes there when it was part of Iona college. We are planning to have our wedding there. Words cannot begin to describe this amazing house. You have the most amazing feeling of being part of a bygone era when you tour it. The fact that ti was left abandoned for over a decade is just disgraceful. Howver, its remarkable its not in worse condition. While costly, most of the repairs are cosmetic and there are quite a lot of details that have been left in tact and have been in good repair.
If anyone has the chance to tour this estate, jump on it. Its worth the drive and the time. I can’t wait to watch the progress Tara Circle makes over the next few years.
[...] recently posted about scouting Alder Manor, a dilapidated yet beautiful abandoned mansion in Yonkers. The manor was owned by William Boyce [...]
fantastic – i love it!!!!
im about ready to start a charity for terminally ill / special needs children & at the same venue – have a resort, for the general public to stay, whilst the children enjoy the facilities.
this place would be so ideal. i can see it alive again…. with lots of chatter, laughter & music to fill the estate….
thank you..
[...] The Clue Mansion…in Yonkers? http://www.scoutingny.com/?p=655 [...]
I worked here on a fashion shoot years ago and it is truly an astounding place to be in. The top floor is broken up into many many tiny rooms and feels rather like The Shining.
This place is awesome!
It was used as the main setting in Ghosts of Girlfriends Past!
I attended Elizabeth Seton College from 1987 – 1989. Crocodile Dundee was filmed at this location. I dormed at Bosch Hall , worked in the library as a work study student and had some of my dance classes in The Alder. I met my husband at the entrance of the college at the bus stop. Many many good memories about this college.
I hope that they re – store this beautiful location. Please keep up the good work.
this place is Ah-mazing!!!! i wonder why it was abandoned…
Fascinating. In a good sign, the website http://www.taracircle.org/ is now working, it has some additional pictures of Alder Manor.
I attended college at this property when it was Elizabeth Seton College. Even as a young person, I was able to appreciate the beauty of the grounds. There were so many spaces to explore. I read the comment from Mr. Don Bayley dated April 21, 2009 and he was actually my instructor from 1977-1979. I was a Radio/TV major and he was one of my favorite teachers! I believe he was a radio jockey ‘back in the day’!
[...] link of the day: Someone found a Clue mansion replica. I would like to live [...]
This location has been used in: Crocodile Dundee, Mona Lisa Smile, Royal Tenenbaums, A Beautiful Mind, The Good Shepard and others. I was just there today and it is breathtaking and I’d imagine that their prices are reasonable. It’s also only 25 minutes to Midtown. Awesome location.
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such a great post, and an amazing building. imagine living there…
My 7th grade television production teacher from Yonkers got married here. She madie it a class project to go here and film it. Cool place in crappy city. Such a shame!
Oh my. I think I’m in love. That is truly amazing. I’d love to see it in person!
Thank you for these pictures. I have been heartbroken since I checked out this place a few years ago & read about the disarray & destruction. I am so thrilled to see all these pictures as they conjure up such wonderful, awesome memories.
I attended Elizabeth Seton College 1966 – 1968. My first year, my dorm room was in the Alder Manor. I went swimming in the 2nd floor pool & we snuck down to the kitchen at night (a HUGE No-No).
I remember saying good-bye to my parents in the huge foyer many a Sunday night & the bursars’ office on the first floor.
I loved the Greek gardens in the back & around, & the magnificent Library. They made for wonderful School pictures.
Thank you for restoring my faith as well as warm & tender memories.
Amazing! thanks
And for any other English peeps, TheClue = Cluedo
I was at this mansion last night and it was amazing. A film shoot. No heat though so we were freezing all day.
I actually attended Elizabeth Seton College from 1976-1978 (Class of 78) and I had to complete a credit for phys ed in order to keep my graduation on track. The only course left that was available was “Swimming”…..and guess where???…at the Manor Pool…so I had the pleasure of swimming through that echoed room and in that great pool pictured above for a half-semester during February…my hair would have icycles as I would then traverse the campus in time to make Don Bayley’s Broadcasting 101 class!…Later on…I also later had the pleasure of playing in a wedding band. We were contracted to play a party at the manor and we set up our equipment right next to the marble staircase. I was a night of elegance and delight….Great days…memorable times!
I took Radio and Television courses here when it was Elizabeth Seton College. One of my wonderful instructors, Don Bayley, also left a comment below. My husband also attended this school for the same degree but being 4 years apart, it wasn’t until after graduation that I met him. Still. we both feel as if it’s part of our foundation. I had classes in this beautiful house and our Cotillions were held here in one of the magnificent ballrooms. I remember running up that grand marble staircase to my Jazz dance class, passing the indoor pool. I never felt like it was spooky to be here as I have in other houses like Lyndhurst. I just felt like I belonged there. I am so happy that this house is a part of even my history!
Rather nifty find here for sure! And with all those wonderful architectural details – this mansion should definitely be restored to its original beauty! Yet another building in need – please Yonkers – pass those building permits and grant those loans in need of getting this place back to its running splendor -
Wow!! !My husband just threw me the most amazing Surprise Murder Mystery birthday party at the magnificent Alder Manor! I was floored by its beauty and elegance! What a venue! My husband rocks!!! I could not believe that such a place existed in Yonkers!
As 26 Marie pointed out, this was used quite extensively in the Royal Tenenbaums. They used it for the interiors of Margot’s home, and also in dozens of different flashbacks.
I think it was also used – at least the front exterior anyway – for the highly underrated movie, Addams Family Values. =]
This place is amazing. Right out of the movies, only real. Is this a landmark. This should never be forgotton.