Armour-Stiner Octagon House



If you are looking for a fascinating historic building to tour, just head over to Irvington in Westchester County!

There is a preserved home in Irvington called the Armour-Stiner Octagon House. It was built in 1872, and it is currently offering three different tours for guests. It has also received five awards, a 1990 Victorian Society in America Preservation Award, a 1991 Preservation League of New York State Achievement Award, a 1993 New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission Certificate of Merit, a 1993 City of New York, Department of General Services Professional Service Award, and a 1995 Municipal Art Society of New York Preservation Award.

The first tour that they are offering is a simple guided tour of the house. The house itself still has all its original ornamentation and furnishings, as well as the only remaining Egyptian Revival Room in America. The tour is presented by tour guides that are all highly trained, and covers the garden, the Lord and Burnham Greenhouse, and much of the three floors of the house, which includes the Lady’s Kitchen, the Dining Room, and the Egyptian Revival Room.

For the month of October, they will be offering a tour called “Myths & Mysteries.” This is based around the rumors that have surrounded the Octagon House for years that imply its connection to the spirit world. This tour goes deep into the myths and mysteries of the house, such as its unique dome shape that resembles an ancient Roman temple, its octagonal floor plan that is rooted in 19th century Phrenology, and speculations of a resident ghost. 

The third tour that is offered is one that focuses on the preservation of the building itself. In the 1970s, the house was about to collapse, and fixing it seemed almost impossible. But in 1978, preservation architect Joseph Pell Lombardi won the bid to purchase and restore the house. This tour will share an in depth look at the lengths the Lombardis went to with restoring the house into what it is today. The tour shows recently discovered photos of the house, and it tells people about the process of restoration that went into every room.

There will be more tours in late October and around Christmas. Tickets for each tour cost $29. So go ahead and learn about a landmark in Westchester County!


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