Dublin Core
Title
Saint Basil Academy (Formerly Jacob Ruppert's Private Estate)
Description
Jacob Ruppert Jr.'s private estate at Eagle's Rest, in Garrison, NY. After his death in 1939, the estate was converted into a school for at-risk children called Saint Basil Academy, opening in 1944. Long before Ruppert or the Academy, the property belonged to Lord Philip Philipse of Philipsburg Manor in 1686, and then to businessman General Louis Fitzgerald in the late 19th century.
Ruppert purchased the estate in 1919, from the daughters of General Louis Fitzgerald. Ruppert held notoriety and prestige in New York, as he owned the New York Yankees from 1915 to his death. He also oversaw the construction of the Yankee Stadium, the team's acquisition of Babe Ruth, and six World Series wins. His wealth was borne from baseball fame as well as his familial links to the brewing industry (he succeeded his father as president of the Ruppert Brewery in New York). Ruppert served in and acquired the title of Colonel in the National Guard, and served four terms as a Democrat in the House of Representatives from 1899 to 1907.
Ruppert commenced construction on the property after purchasing it, and his estate was completed in 1928. The mansion is styled as a Tudor Revival house.
The 135-acre estate housed a world-renowned dog kennel, housing Ruppert's award-winning St. Bernards and Boston Terriers, private collections of Chinese porcelain, jade, and pottery, and even a private zoo, with monkeys, wild birds, and peacocks.
Saint Basil Academy was founded in 1944 by Archbisop Athenagoras and the Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society. They initially were coeducational, but then converted the school to admitting only girls. They eventually converted the stables into a boys dormitory so the institution could be coeducational once again.
Ruppert purchased the estate in 1919, from the daughters of General Louis Fitzgerald. Ruppert held notoriety and prestige in New York, as he owned the New York Yankees from 1915 to his death. He also oversaw the construction of the Yankee Stadium, the team's acquisition of Babe Ruth, and six World Series wins. His wealth was borne from baseball fame as well as his familial links to the brewing industry (he succeeded his father as president of the Ruppert Brewery in New York). Ruppert served in and acquired the title of Colonel in the National Guard, and served four terms as a Democrat in the House of Representatives from 1899 to 1907.
Ruppert commenced construction on the property after purchasing it, and his estate was completed in 1928. The mansion is styled as a Tudor Revival house.
The 135-acre estate housed a world-renowned dog kennel, housing Ruppert's award-winning St. Bernards and Boston Terriers, private collections of Chinese porcelain, jade, and pottery, and even a private zoo, with monkeys, wild birds, and peacocks.
Saint Basil Academy was founded in 1944 by Archbisop Athenagoras and the Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society. They initially were coeducational, but then converted the school to admitting only girls. They eventually converted the stables into a boys dormitory so the institution could be coeducational once again.
Creator
Chester Smolski
Date
1970-10-01
Rights
Rhode Island College
Format
Photograph
Identifier
4937
Smolski Image Item Type Metadata
Building Style
Tudor Revival
Building Type
Mansion
City
Garrison
Country
United States of America
Region
New York
Street Address
79 Saint Basil Road
Subject Creation Date
1928
Theme
Grand Manner