Videos
You can see all of our videos on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/untermyergardens.
2023
The 2023 Grand Holiday Illumination as seen from above.
This video was shot and edited by Clayton Calvert and Parker Calvert.
The 2023 Grand Holiday Illumination as seen from above.
This video was shot and edited by Clayton Calvert and Parker Calvert.
2022
Performance May 29, 2022.
2022 Virtual Symposium: The Making of a Meadow: Considerations, Complications, Compositions featuring Timothy Tilghman, Larry Weaner, Graham Glauber, and Cathy Ludden.
2022
Stephen F. Byrns, President of the Untermyer Gardens Conservancy, delivered an online lecture entitled Samuel Untermyer: Forgotten Hero, on Tuesday, March 29, 2022 at 6:00 p.m.
Mr. Byrns discussed the life of Samuel Untermyer (1858-1940), one of the most prominent members of the German-Jewish elite in America. A brilliant lawyer and investor, he was also a leading progressive figure in the last thirty years of his life. He fought for economic reform, he was a prominent supporter of women’s suffrage, and he defended the interests of the common man in his support of the nickel subway token. Untermyer was the exceptional Zionist in the 1920’s who believed that the needs of the Palestinians should be respected. He represented Herman Bernstein in his successful lawsuit against Henry Ford in 1921. In the same year, he introduced Albert Einstein to the Jewish elite in New York City while fund-raising for Hebrew University. Beginning in 1933, Untermyer was one of the most prominent international leaders in the fight against Nazism.
Against the backdrop of this exceptional legal career and political activism, Untermyer had another interest, which was his 150 acre estate on the Hudson River in Yonkers. He hired William Welles Bosworth, architecture of Kykuit, the Rockefeller family home, to design the “finest garden in the world”, and it is the current restoration of his garden which is leading to a revival of interest in the historical figure of Samuel Untermyer.
The lecture concluded with a tour of the primary areas of this spectacular garden, contrasting pictures of it during its heyday in the 1920’s-30’s, its descent into ruin in the 1960’s-70’s and its ongoing restoration by the Untermyer Gardens Conservancy.
Mr. Byrns discussed the life of Samuel Untermyer (1858-1940), one of the most prominent members of the German-Jewish elite in America. A brilliant lawyer and investor, he was also a leading progressive figure in the last thirty years of his life. He fought for economic reform, he was a prominent supporter of women’s suffrage, and he defended the interests of the common man in his support of the nickel subway token. Untermyer was the exceptional Zionist in the 1920’s who believed that the needs of the Palestinians should be respected. He represented Herman Bernstein in his successful lawsuit against Henry Ford in 1921. In the same year, he introduced Albert Einstein to the Jewish elite in New York City while fund-raising for Hebrew University. Beginning in 1933, Untermyer was one of the most prominent international leaders in the fight against Nazism.
Against the backdrop of this exceptional legal career and political activism, Untermyer had another interest, which was his 150 acre estate on the Hudson River in Yonkers. He hired William Welles Bosworth, architecture of Kykuit, the Rockefeller family home, to design the “finest garden in the world”, and it is the current restoration of his garden which is leading to a revival of interest in the historical figure of Samuel Untermyer.
The lecture concluded with a tour of the primary areas of this spectacular garden, contrasting pictures of it during its heyday in the 1920’s-30’s, its descent into ruin in the 1960’s-70’s and its ongoing restoration by the Untermyer Gardens Conservancy.
2021
2021 Winter Lecture: The Islamic Garden as Sacred Art featuring Emma Clark
2021
2021 Virtual Symposium: Garden Elements and Styles: A Conversation with Toby Musgrave and Timothy Tilghman
2020
Untermyer Gardens Conservancy Through the Seasons. By Chris St. Lawrence.
2020
Untermyer Gardens Conservancy: Daffodils for Heroes by Chris St. Lawrence.
2019
Iran International TV: Untermyer Gardens a Persian Paradise Garden in Yonkers, NY
2019
Stephen F. Byrns, President of the Untermyer Gardens Conservancy, delivered a lecture entitled “Paradise Found: the Mughal Gardens of India” on Monday, March 11, 2019 at 6:00 PM at the Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church at 923 Madison Avenue, New York, NY.
Mr. Byrns discussed the evolution of Mughal gardens during the reigns of the first five Mughal emperors (1504-1657). This garden typology originated in Persia around 550 BCE, and took strong root in India, which had a close cultural and religious connection with Persia. The lecture was profusely illustrated with plans, photographs and drawings. Mughal gardens followed three models: located in the country, as part of tomb complexes and as part of fortified palaces.
The combination of great wealth, abundant water and varied topography makes the Mughal gardens of India the most dramatic and richly embellished Persian gardens in the world. The lecture culminates in an examination of the Taj Mahal, the most famous of all Mughal gardens
Mr. Byrns discussed the evolution of Mughal gardens during the reigns of the first five Mughal emperors (1504-1657). This garden typology originated in Persia around 550 BCE, and took strong root in India, which had a close cultural and religious connection with Persia. The lecture was profusely illustrated with plans, photographs and drawings. Mughal gardens followed three models: located in the country, as part of tomb complexes and as part of fortified palaces.
The combination of great wealth, abundant water and varied topography makes the Mughal gardens of India the most dramatic and richly embellished Persian gardens in the world. The lecture culminates in an examination of the Taj Mahal, the most famous of all Mughal gardens
2017
Untermyer Gardens: Its Periods of Glory and Its Sack.
March 30, 2017. Presented by Conservancy president Stephen Byrns at the New York School of Interior Design.
Introduction by Ann Carmel, Chair of the Untermyer Gardens Conservancy. Filmed by Parker Calvert.
Untermyer Gardens: Its Periods of Glory and Its Sack.
March 30, 2017. Presented by Conservancy president Stephen Byrns at the New York School of Interior Design.
Introduction by Ann Carmel, Chair of the Untermyer Gardens Conservancy. Filmed by Parker Calvert.
2017
Untermyer Gardens as seen from above.
This video was shot and edited by Parker Calvert.
The Untermyer Gardens Conservancy is a non-profit organization that, in partnership with the City of Yonkers, is
reimagining Samuel Untermyer’s gardens in Yonkers, New York. The gardens are open to the public year-round.
Untermyer Gardens as seen from above.
This video was shot and edited by Parker Calvert.
The Untermyer Gardens Conservancy is a non-profit organization that, in partnership with the City of Yonkers, is
reimagining Samuel Untermyer’s gardens in Yonkers, New York. The gardens are open to the public year-round.
2016
The 2016 Grand Holiday Illumination as seen from above.
This video was shot and edited by Clayton Calvert and Parker Calvert.
Be sure to watch the 2023 Illumination video to see how the Illumination has expanded!
The 2016 Grand Holiday Illumination as seen from above.
This video was shot and edited by Clayton Calvert and Parker Calvert.
Be sure to watch the 2023 Illumination video to see how the Illumination has expanded!
2016
Conservancy president Stephen Byrns speaking on
"Untermyer Gardens - Restoring Eden in Yonkers, NY"
at the Cornell School of Integrative Plant Science.
Conservancy president Stephen Byrns speaking on
"Untermyer Gardens - Restoring Eden in Yonkers, NY"
at the Cornell School of Integrative Plant Science.
2014
In September 2014, Martha Stewart and friends visited the gardens.
She featured her tour with conservancy chairman Stephen Byrns in her "Out and About with Martha Stewart" series.
In September 2014, Martha Stewart and friends visited the gardens.
She featured her tour with conservancy chairman Stephen Byrns in her "Out and About with Martha Stewart" series.
2013
Highlights of our first Summer Solstice Sunset Soiree.
Highlights of our first Summer Solstice Sunset Soiree.
2013
An introduction to the gardens featuring conservancy chairman
Stephen Byrns and stunning photographs of the gardens.
An introduction to the gardens featuring conservancy chairman
Stephen Byrns and stunning photographs of the gardens.