GARRISON, NY.- Boscobel House and Gardens announced that the plaster ceiling in its historic Library room collapsed, without warning, in the early evening of Tuesday April 16, 2024. Thankfully no one was harmed or in the building at the time, but the incident caused major damage to the room, its contents, and to adjacent rooms.

Since Tuesday evening, Boscobel has been working diligently alongside a team of engineers, art conservators, and the municipal Building Department to assess the building and collection, and determine the exact cause of the collapse.

“This is a devastating loss. We are all in shock,” report Boscobel Co-Chairs Alex Reese and Arnold Moss shared on behalf of the Board. “Boscobel has been in difficult straits before. We are confident that with the help of our community and supporters everywhere, we will bring back the beauty of this Hudson Valley icon.”

“Thankfully we also have plenty to love and learn throughout the gardens, grounds, and exhibitions in the Visitor Center,” notes Boscobel’s Executive Director and Curator, Jennifer Carlquist. “Boscobel has a glorious history of coming back from disaster. We are drawing inspiration from the community commitment that saved the house from total destruction in the 1950s.”

During this time, House visitation is suspended but the gardens, grounds, and Visitor Center remain fully open during public hours Friday-Monday. Boscobel foresees no disruption to the weekly farmers’ market, outdoor programming, private events, or the annual Chamber Music Festival. They have made immediate pivots to offer alternative experiences to guests who have already booked house tours, and are in the process of expanding guided tours including the relaunch of their celebrated walking tour of the gardens, sharing more collection objects in the Visitor Center, and more.

Boscobel is working to determine an estimated timeline for restoration efforts to take place and will keep the public updated on important developments through their website and social media.

"There is no doubt that Boscobel is beloved, and it is going to be beautiful again,” attested Nat Prentice, President, Cold Spring Chamber of Commerce. “It's time to do what this community does best - pitch in and support it!"