You’ve never seen New York like this: Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion (Video)

Canandaigua, N.Y. — If walking a fairytale-scape of gardens brings you the serenity you crave after such a hectic year, look no further than the sprawling Sonnenberg Gardens and Mansion Historic State Park near Canandaigua Lake.

With over 55 acres and nine themed gardens, the estate captures the opulence of the turn of the century that few places in Upstate New York can.

The 19,000-square-foot mansion was built in 1887, replacing an old farmstead. Frederick Ferris Thompson, a New York City banker, and Mary Clark Thompson had originally bought the farm for $16,000 and used it as their summer home.

After Frederick died, Mary threw herself into designing the ornate gardens, drawing inspiration from her worldly travels from Japan to Italy. She even had a Roman bathhouse built that piped water underground from Canandaigua Lake two miles away.

The estate was passed on to the federal government after Mary’s death, and a VA hospital was established on the farming grounds of the estate. For 40 years, the mansion and gardens began to fall into neglect until locals helped organize a movement on its behalf. Now a non-profit, the mansion and two of its primary garden structures are undergoing a major renovation, estimated to cost between $10 and $12 million.

The estate is now a New York State Historic Park, one of only two public gardens designated as such.

MORE FROM ‘YOU’VE NEVER SEEN NEW YORK LIKE THIS’

Ausable Chasm

Taughannock Falls

Chimney Bluffs

Boldt Castle

Lake Ontario Lighthouses

Upstate’s historic forts

If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.