Then & Now: The Home of Driver Foxhall Keene in Old Westbury
The hometown favorite of the 1905 and 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Races was millionaire sportsman and Wall Street broker Foxhall Keene. Keene lived just one mile north of the 1904 and 1906 starting lines in his Old Westbury estate called “Rosemary Hall.” The house still stands today.
Enjoy,
Howard Kroplick
Foxhall Keene
Foxhall Keene was a true sportsman, proficient in auto racing, polo, equestrian riding, football and shooting.
Since the origin of the car determined the entry's representation, American-born Keene and his Mercedes drove for Germany. Regardless, spectators cheered wildly each time Keene, his mechanician William Luttgen and their #5 racer passed the grandstand during the 1905 Vanderbilt Cup Race.
Keene and Luttgen taking the Guiness Woods Turn in Old Westbury before hitting a telegraph pole in Albertson.
Keene tried again in the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race. This time, his #18 Mercedes lasted only four of the 11 laps when he cracked a cylinder in Jericho.
Rosemary Hall (1902-1930s)
The layout for the first floor of Rosemary Hall
A 1906 postcard of Keene's home.
Foxhall Keene and William Luttgen on the driveway of Rosemary Hall.
The Georgian Revival stuccoed mansion has a two-story high, Corinthian-column portico marking an entrance to a great hall.
The entrance staircase.
Formal gardens flanked each side of the mansion.
Keene enjoyed fox hunting on his estate and in the Old Westbury area.
Rosemary Hall- 1940
Following the 1929 market crash, Keene sold Rosemary Hall to William Grace Holloway, who renamed it Foxland.
Rosemary Hall-1970
In 1969, the estate was sold to New York Institute of Technology (NYIT). Later, the estate was sold to a land developer.
Rosemary Hall-2004
In late 1999, the house was sold again and a major renovation began. The beautiful columns were removed.
Rosemary Hall-2007
Rosemary Hall- December 15, 2012
The restoration continues.
The spectacular Corinthian columns are back up!
Comments
Great pictures and I’m glad the columns are back up….
I’m pleased that the house wasn’t sub-divided or destroyed! Have a great day Howard.
Better late than never,but I want to wish every one a MERRY CHRISTMASS. I had trouble with the computer, Great pictures,as usual of everything you send Howard. Yes it is the Carriage Museum in stony brook. Trying to catch up on things,It’s 11:57 now
Just to let you know ,I have noticed that the time on my the comments is off by 1 hour,I don’t think it takes 1 hour to get to the site,does it? that’s why I put the time on my last comment,just to see if I’m right. Still catching up on all the pictures that have been posted,get back you as soon as I’m done,for some comments. Time is 4:33pm 12/26
Ted, all comments are moderated and reviewed prior to posting due to the proliferation of comment spam.
Did you read in todays Newsday about the two-dozen frame houses in East Hampton dating from between 1700-1850? they say new owners may take them down and they’re fighting it.It’s in the Our Towns section Framing A PRESERVATION Plan Proposal aims to keep 1700-1850- era frame houses intact, Just thought I’d let you all know
This is wonderful and nice to know its being restored. I first read about the place in Monica Randall’s book, ” The Mansions of Long Island’s Gold Coast ” and she shed more light on the second owner. What a beautiful mansion.
I have pictures of interior. This was my grandparents house. I have a few stories to tell! We had great fun there as children.
Hi Elise:
Thanks for your comment!!
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