Testimonials
I was entranced by the Untermyer Gardens and the manner in which they have been – and continue to be – so assiduously and handsomely revitalised. It’s a constellation of wonders on a remarkable site, and is a great credit to you and your team, and Tim and Drew in particular. 
Lucky enough to visit this garden recently. What a treat. You have done a outstanding job restoring the walled gardens and fountains. It was the highlight of my vacation. Can't wait to see what the future holds for the rest of the garden. Are there any plans to restore the reflecting pool with the lovely mosaic bottom? It is amazing even in it's present condition. 
"Each time I visit Untermyer I am transported to another world….one where peace and beauty prevail." 
"The garden’s goals are everything I respect about good/Great gardens... 
I wanted to write and thank you for bringing us all together for such a fascinating day of discussion about these treasured public gardens and for the wonderfully informative tour of the garden. What you all have accomplished is truly extraordinary and it is thrilling to imagine all that is underway in your restoration. What a joy to see the quality of your horticulture and your creativity ingenuity in bringing the garden back to life. I was moved by Untermyer’s story and his legacy of sharing the garden with so many. I know how much the community and all who visit must cherish the chance to be in such a beautiful place. 
I have to start by congratulating both you and your staff on being responsible for one of the most incredible garden visits I have ever had... I have to admit, none of our group had visited Untermyer, and it was added last minute. Untermyer had us spellbound... The group agreed…(that) Untermyer is one of the most impressive gardens any of us have visited... Thanks again, for an incredible gem of a site. 
Thank you so much for taking the time to show the Taconic Regional Historic Site Managers the splendors of Untermyer Park & Gardens. The socio-political-cultural history of the garden, as you explain it, is always riveting. The sense of place in New York’s history comes alive as one travels through the garden listening to the vision and passions of the family that built it. 
My brother and I loved this park because we felt the imprint of beauty and fine aesthetics left by someone who built it with passion. We also felt sad because it seemed so hauntingly abandoned. I saw that it was being renovated on your Facebook page and loved watching the progression. When I was in the area, I was inspired to stop in. This is a place not to be missed. It is not simply a garden but a history lesson and the views are amazing. 
Many, many thanks for an inspiring tour of Untermyer - we were so lucky to have you as our guide! And our docent Mary was great too, so thank you to her as well. I confess that I think a lot of the people signed up for the trip because of Wave Hill, but Untermyer (and you) wowed everyone. It was the talk of the day and you really did leave everyone inspired and excited for you and Untermyer. I'm sure I'll do a return trip in the future. The gardens looked fantastic and your enthusiasm for them is contagious. I can't thank you enough for making the trip special. 
There isn't much in the county that I've not experienced in person, so it was a special thrill to not only visit the garden (and get an excellent history lesson while I was at it), but to discover that Untermyer Gardens is my new favorite place in Westchester! I love the contrast between the restored sections and the ruins, the manicured and the wild, the vision of both the Isadora Duncan dancers and Son of Sam—what a great story! 
Dear Stephen, 
Thank you so much for giving our group such a wonderful introduction to Untermyer last Sunday, and a thrilling account of the discoveries and achievements in such a short time! 
My husband and I were on the Victorian Society tour of the Untermyer Garden this past Saturday. It was breathtaking and we, like everyone else, simply could not believe we had not heard of this astonishing garden previously. |
I was so impressed by the Tilghman-Musgrave webinar your team presented. It was one of the best organized and informative events 
What a treasure! Frankly, I didn't expect to see it looking SO good after having been so neglected for so long. It's truly the best garden in the NYC region, in my opinion. You should be very proud about what you have done." 
I was a part of [a] tour that you gave a few weeks ago. It was truly one of the most stunning and informative garden visits I have had in a long time. 
It is such a pleasure to see the results of your fundraising efforts. Who would have guessed that the transformation of this wreck of a garden could be accomplished in such a short period of time. You and your gardeners have accomplished so much. Thank you for all you have done to make this possible. Run don’t walk to the amazing Untermyer Gardens in Yonkers, New York. This garden, at one time one of the finest gardens in America, is being beautifully restored by the Untermyer Gardens Conservancy, headed by the talented Stephen Byrns. The architecture of the garden structures is outstanding and the garden staff headed by Timothy Tilghman and Marco Polo Stufano have created plantings that will simply take your breath away. Now that I have discovered the garden, I plan to return often. 
The garden transformation is amazing. My partner and I recently toured the gardens over Memorial Day weekend. We were so impressed and delighted with the work you're doing up there in Yonkers. Tim is a great asset to your organization--his tour was informative, entertaining; much more enjoyable than what one normally gets from a trained docent who merely recites a rehearsed list of facts that ofttimes have nothing to do with what one is looking at. Tim's passion and commitment were everywhere apparent. Keep up the good work! 
After visiting Untermyer Gardens over the summer after reading an article in Westchester Magazine about it's history, I was amazed at the progress that had been made at this amazing place! What an incredible job Tim and Jessica have made in bringing new life back to Untermyer! [...] I, myself, was so inspired by the garden when I was there, that as I stood between the griffoned columns in the walled garden with my partner of 24 years I asked him to marry me - and he said YES! I just wanted to share with you how people are once again feeling about the garden after so many neglected years and want only the best for your efforts to restore the gardens to their former glory! Although the reconstruction efforts are spread over many years from now, I think they could be hastened by many small donations [...]! The garden should be enjoyed by everyone to the fullest! And we're so happy with what you've all done so far! 
My wife and I want to thank you for the most incredibly informative tour of Untermyer Gardens yesterday. We were not prepared to see such beauty and were overwhelmed by it all. Your love of your work and these gardens 
I wanted to thank you again for sharing Untermyer Gardens two weekends ago. It's a terrific find -- unbelievably intact with such a rich history. You've inspired me to do more reading on Persian gardens. I agree with you that Untermyer Gardens is perhaps the best example of a Persian-inspired walled garden in the western hemisphere. 
Please accept this small donation as a token of my appreciation for the beauty of the gardens that are enjoyed by so many. It's an honor to support such a great endeavour. 
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I hope from time to time you pause to reflect on the glory of the restoration you have wrought. As magnificent as the garden’s initial design and construction are, the story of its reclamation and steady, ongoing renovation is perhaps even more monumental. The constraints with you which you operate make the results more exquisite. 
I wanted to tell you that back in the spring, during the dark early days of the covid lock-down, your emails about the garden were SO UPLIFTING. I loved the fly-over of the gardens and shared it with my friends. I also loved hearing about the gathering of the daffodils to present to hospital patients, just to name a few. 
I'm writing to let you know what a beautiful Sunday afternoon concert you put together last week. It was all glorious: the weather, the gorgeous gardens, and, of course, the music. The program was so rich and varied and it was a treat to hear both well-loved standards and new compositions. The musicians were a pure delight. 
Again I send admiration for everything you are doing, as well as special thanks for providing the Cosmopolitan Club with one of the most stimulating and interesting evenings in recent years... 
You rocked. I am the pushy woman who worried about time constraints, collapsing participants, and on... We got on the bus, on our way to Wave Hill, and the sweaty, panting, flushed congregants proclaimed: hurrah! I tried to take the credit but it was useless. You brought history, passion, religion, bigotry and beauty together and every soul on the bus was moved and grateful. You really made the garden, and the work you are doing to restore it, fascinating. Learning about the lives of the Untermyers really helped place the garden in the flow of New York City history. Speaking for myself, it was definitely one of the best evenings we've hosted here at the [University] Club. I learned a lot about the garden and will definitely plan on paying a visit next year. Judging from the reaction of the members last night and the emails I have received this morning, all the attendees had a great time. 
Nothing I had heard or seen in photographs prepared me for the astonishing gardens you have taken on and already restored so brilliantly. And your sharing of the history, of which of course you are now an essential part, was very special. The weather was perfect and the conclusion practically sitting in the Hudson River waters at sunset was heartstoppingly beautiful. I almost cried when I saw what is going on in this beautiful place this past weekend. I grew up playing in the very neglected gardens...and now it will take its rightful place as one of the most fabulous gardens in the US! Lucky enough to visit this garden recently. What a treat. You have done a outstanding job restoring the walled gardens and fountains. It was the highlight of my vacation. Can't wait to see what the future holds for the rest of the garden. Are there any plans to restore the reflecting pool with the lovely mosaic bottom? It is amazing even in it's present condition. 
I have been in touch quite often with one of your gardeners Jessica. She may have told you that my Grandmother was Mary McGuirk Combs who worked for Samuel Untermyer as a laundress from 1912-1921 and my Aunt is Anne N. who has supplied many original photos from my Grandmothers time on the estate. So Untermyer has a very special place in my heart and I visit anytime I am back in Yonkers. I am thrilled to see the restoration and care that has been going on there. Thank you so much for everything you do. I wish my donation could be more but please know it comes straight from the heart. 
Thanks for taking the time to give us a deeply inspiring tour. I was completely bowled over by the Persian garden and the whole property is really a very special place on many levels. Tell me how to contribute in my small way. 
It was really special and everyone was overcome with how great the garden is and your knowledge. We would like to come every year and follow the progress of the gardens and build a relationship with what I agree is America's best garden. 
I just want to thank you and Stephen Byrns for the very professional and illuminating talk you gave last evening to the members of Wave Hill - of which my husband and I are members. Somehow I left without saying a proper thank you for sharing your time and knowledge on the tour Saturday afternoon. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the Untermyer Gardens and felt so privileged to have the benefit of your expertise. I am not an architect, nor am I a landscape specialist. However, I know when I see something very special and I appreciate the beauty of such a place. |