Bronx Hot Spots: Bartow-Pell Mansion

In this week's Bronx Hot Spots, News 12 is showing off one spot in the borough where you don't need to be rolling in dough to live large, even if for a little while. The Bartow-Pell Mansion is a 10,000-square

News 12 Staff

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May 9, 2014, 5:04 PM

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Updated 3,878 days ago

In this week's Bronx Hot Spots, News 12 is showing off one spot in the borough where you don't need to be rolling in dough to live large, even if for a little while.

The Bartow-Pell Mansion is a 10,000-square foot New York City landmark located in the northern section of Pelham Bay Park.

Executive Director Ellen Bruzelius calls the mansion one of the borough's best-kept secrets, and that it's one of only almost two dozen grand country estates still in existance.

Built in the late-1830s, the mansion belonged to Robert and Maria Bartow. The couple called the dwelling home for almost 50 years, before the city took ownership of the nearly 27-acre property.

Decades later, the city gave the International Garden Club, now called the Bartow-Pell Conservancy, the OK to spruce the estate up a bit.

From a 19th century crib to a 21st century showroom, visitors came to truly gain a sense of what life was like back when the mansion was used as a residence.

The Bartow-Pell Conservancy founded the mansion's garden in 1914, and is celebrating its centennial by bringing it back to its original design.

Bruzelius says she hopes visitors get a better understanding of horticulture, history, preservation and education after their trip.

Admission to the Bartow-Pell Mansion and garden will be free during Bronx Week, but standard fares will apply afterward.