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The Timeless
Elegance
of Greenwood’s Teahouse
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Greenwood’s grounds feature not only breathtaking
displays of horticultural splendor, but also original stone
structures that exist in harmony with the topography of the site.
Tucked discreetly into the slope on the east side of the gardens
resides one such structure – the enchanting Teahouse.
This two-story garden folly, set between the
Summerhouse and the Cascade on the Teahouse walkway, adds
dramatic fairytale flair to the east side of the gardens. Crafted
in the early 1920s by visionary landscape architect and artist
Willliam W. Renwick, who was commissioned by owner Joseph P. Day,
the Teahouse was inspired by the vernacular-style garden houses
and belvederes built during the Arts and Crafts era that
flourished from the 1880s until 1914.
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Constructed from indigenous basalt or lava rock,
this rustic stone shelter boasts a grotto on the lower level
decorated with Rookwood tiles on the walls and ceilings, and a
floor lined with geometric patterns of pastel-colored tiles
manufactured by Fulper in Flemington, New Jersey. The original
sink and fireplace which were used in the Day era for family teas
are also still intact.
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The grotto in
the lower level of the Teahouse
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On the exterior of the Teahouse, horseshoe steps
wind around the structure from its base, leading to the upper
level and the South Axis gardens. Five granite frogs from the
Day’s original collection of ornaments grace the
entrance to the Teahouse, while whimsical limestone chess piece
sculptures ascend the stairway – delightful
additions made by the Blanchards after 1950. Small openings were
designed to allow vines to clamber up the façade of the Teahouse, adding a natural allure
throughout the summer season. The final touches include a conical
roof that boasts copper roof coursing, decorated with masques and
a regal chimney that rises above the Teahouse roof.
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The entrance to the
lower level of the Teahouse
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When you visit Greenwood this season, take a
moment to not only revel in the beauty of the Teahouse, but the
other structures, fountains, statuary, and gardens that grace the
property. With something to experience around every corner,
Greenwood is a destination not to be missed!
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