The Pergola, a graceful walkway connecting Russel Wright's house and studio (circa 1960) has been restored and was dedicated on October 16, 2004 at an informal ceremony at Manitoga, Wright's historic home and 75-acre woodland garden, Route 9D,Garrison NY. Senator Vincent Leibell, who was instrumental in the effort, cut the ribbon and Legislator Vincent Tamagna was also present.
The Pergola, which was in imminent danger of collapse, is the latest success story in the ongoing restoration of Manitoga, one of the few historic modern home sites on the East Coast. Earlier this year, Wright's studio was open to the public after extensive restoration and now appears as it did in 1962 when Wright lived and worked there. Funds are now urgently sought to restore Dragon Rock, Wright's dramatic but badly deteriorated wood and glass home nestled on the edge of a quarry overlooking a 30' waterfall and pond.
The Pergola is fundamental to Wright's site philosophy of creating a harmonious dialogue with nature. Little known is that prior to designing for the home, Wright was a theater set designer. The Pergola was created as his own natural curtain in which cascading Dutchman's Pipe vine greeted the unsuspecting visitor, intentionally obscuring the dramatic views of the waterfall and quarry pond beyond in a tangle of greenery. Plans are underway to restore the vine thus re-creating the intended effect.
Major support for the Pergola restoration was provided by the David L. Klein, Jr. Foundation, Frank B.R. Sahm Charitable Foundation, a NYS Member Initiative Grant and other generous supporters. The project was completed under the guidance of the noted architectural firm Jan Hird Pokorny and Associates with Tiny Houses of Putnam Valley as the restoration contractors.
Manitoga is on the national register of historic places and is a National Trust for Historic Preservation Historic Artist's Homes and Studios Site. It is located in Putnam County, which, through the efforts of Legislator Vincent Tamagna, was designated at the federal level as one of seven "Preserve America" communities nationwide.
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