Ashintully Gardens, Sodom Road- Ashintully (gaelicmeaning "on the brow of the hill") was the name given to the original 1,000- acre estate assembled in the early 20th century by Egyptologist and two-time state representative, Robb de Peyster Tytus from three farms in Tyringham and Otis.
On a hill overlooking the southern end of Tyringham Valley, Tytus built between 1910-1912 a white, Georgian- style mansion which came to be known as the Marble Palace. The Marble palace was destroyed by fire on April 20,1952; only the front terrace, foundation, and four Doric columns remain today.
In 1937, John McLennan(jr.) acquired the estate, where he had spent all his childhood summers. He later moved into the farmhouse at the bottom of the hill, where he lived the rest of his life, renovating the nearby barn into a music studio. John McLennan created, over the course of thirty years, Ashintully Gardens.
The Gardens blend several natural features - a rushing stream, native deciduos trees, a rounded knoll, and rising flanking meadows - into and ordered arrangement with both formal and informal beauty.Garden features include the Fountain Pond, Pine Park, Rams Head Terrace, Bowling Green, Regency Bridge, and Trellis Triptych. Urns columns, and statuary ornament
the garden, shile foot bridges, foot paths, stone stairs, and grassy terraces connect various parts of the garden.
A half-mile woodland loop trail leads to the ruins of the Marble Palace. Moderate walking. From these ruins visitors can take in a distant view north through the Tyringham Valley.
When to visit- June1 throughOctober 15, Wednesday and Saturday afternoons, 1 - 5 pm. Allow a minimum of 1 hour. Free to individual visitors. Groups garden tours are offered by prior appointment ($5.00 per person)
For more information log on to the the Trustees of Reservation website
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