Sprawling over 150 acres on the Hudson River in Yonkers, it was maintained by 60 gardeners and supplied by 60 greenhouses. The Walled Garden is the finest Persian garden in the Western Hemisphere, the Vista is the most monumental garden feature in America featuring two ancient Roman columns, and the Temple of Love contains five waterfalls and six cascades. It is a garden of superlatives.

The Walled Garden is based on the concept of the Garden of Eden, which is a shared concept of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. Untermyer’s career as a leading progressive Jew in America brilliantly reflects this multicultural aspect of the garden.

Owned by the City of Yonkers, the garden was in very poor condition and little known until the establishment of the Untermyer Gardens Conservancy in 2011 by Stephen Byrns.  Since then, ten gardeners have been hired, 175,000 visitors came in 2023, and many features of the garden have been restored.

The lecture contains beautiful photos of the garden in its heyday, its descent into ruin, and its rebirth. It also reviews the many historical accomplishments of Samuel and Minnie Untermyer.

Stephen F. Byrns founded the Untermyer Gardens Conservancy in 2011 and is its president.  A graduate of Princeton and Columbia Universities, he was a founding partner of BKSK Architects, a successful architectural firm in New York City that was established in 1985. He was appointed by Mayor Bloomberg to serve as a Landmarks Preservation Commissioner on the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission from 2004–2010.  He served on the Board of Wave Hill from 2000-2010.

A native of Michigan, Steve discovered Untermyer Gardens when he lived in Yonkers in the 1990s and became involved with local preservation efforts. He revisited it in 2010 when told that the fountains had been turned on after decades of disuse and proceeded to immerse himself in its history and become a volunteer. The more he learned about Samuel Untermyer’s garden, the more he was convinced that a conservancy should be established to work with the City of Yonkers to make it once again one of the greatest gardens in America.

Lecture, Lunch & Book Signing $48  /  Book $25

Wednesday, April 3
11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Click HERE to Register and Order Books

We recommend purchasing books in advance and picking them up at check-in. Limited copies will be available for sale on the day of events.