LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the Strath-
more Vanderbilt Country Club

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize those
special places within the Empire State which provide recreational oppor-
tunity for residents and which have become a part of the history of our
State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the 75th Anniversary of the Strathmore Vanderbilt Country Club;
and
WHEREAS, In 1860, approximately 60 settlers were granted title to land
in an area called Manhasset, New York; the rolling terrain, later to
become Strathmore Vanderbilt, was part of the vast Spreckel's Estate
belonging to a wealthy farmer in the sugar business; and
WHEREAS, Records indicate that title was conveyed in 1906 to William
Chester; he subdivided the property by selling it for use as country
estate to people whose names appeared prominently on the society lists
of New York City; this marked the beginning of an elegant period that
featured weekend country leisure such as riding and entertaining, and
the homes were well-staffed by domestic help from abroad; and
WHEREAS, In 1914, William Chester sold the remaining part of his hold-
ings, a French Chateau, to an ice cream and candy entrepreneur, Louis
Sherry; he was enamored with the well-balanced architecture, and
proceeded to redecorate the house to resemble the Petite Trianon, a
cottage of Marie Antoinette at Versailles; and
WHEREAS, The formal garden, replete with aromatic boxwood and rare
foliage provided opportunities for relaxing evening walks, and a
complete library, paneling and books, was purchased in France and
installed next to the foyer of the house; in 1923, after Louis Sherry
passed, the house with 700 acres was sold to Frank Munsey, owner of THE
NEW YORK SUN, THE BALTIMORE SUN, and the Munsey Trust Company; and
WHEREAS, An art connoisseur and patron of the arts, Frank Munsey
undertook a grandiose remodeling which lasted two years; he extended the
house with two wings of pink brick, imported stone trim around the
arched windows, and added an octagonal tower; to achieve his idea of a
true Louis XV Chateau, he imported French marble fireplaces and mantles,
brass fixtures for the windows and doors, and commissioned a hand paint-
ed mural for the ceiling of the Marie Antoinette dining room; and
WHEREAS, Unfortunately, Frank Munsey never formally occupied the
house; he died a bachelor and his entire estate was left to the Metro-
politan Museum of Art; and
WHEREAS, Graham Fair Vanderbilt, a scion of the Vanderbilt family and
fortune, offered to purchase the house with 100 acres from the Metropol-
itan Museum of Art; for a decade, the property provided a gracious
setting for lawn parties and social festivities to which New York's top
"400" eagerly responded; and
WHEREAS, The property was ultimately inherited by Consuelo Vanderbilt
whose interests were focused abroad; she sold the house and the 100
acres to architect/builder, William Levitt, who was gaining prominence
in developing various "Strathmore" communities in Manhasset, naming his
new acquisition Strathmore Vanderbilt; and
WHEREAS, William Levitt's plans for Strathmore Vanderbilt centered
around the presence of the French Chateau at the end of the long and
winding tree lined drive; he conceived the idea of an association of
property owners who would share its continued maintenance, and who in

turn would benefit from its facilities, its elegance, and its convenient
location; and
WHEREAS, His decision to maintain the structure as a resource to be
enjoyed by future generations is a testimonial as much to his talent as
an architect as it is to his talent as visionary; and
WHEREAS, Today, 75 years later, Strathmore Vanderbilt Country Club
continues to welcome its members and families to enjoy all it has to
offer; and
WHEREAS, It is a great pleasure to thank and acknowledge Outgoing
President Kurt Holweges for his hard work and service, and welcome 2014
President Mike Mondiello; and
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to honor and pay
tribute to those establishments and institutions within the State of New
York whose historic significance has contributed to the culture and
traditions of our citizens; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the Strathmore Vanderbilt Country
Club; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Strathmore Vanderbilt Country Club.