Lorenzo Mansion
Situated in historic Cazenovia, Lorenzo State Historic Site is the 1807 Federal style home of John Lincklaen, Holland Land Company agent and founder of Cazenovia. Lorenzo was continually occupied by the Lincklaen/Ledyard family until the property and contents were conveyed to New York State in 1968. The imprint of all of Lorenzo's residents, including the enslaved people, servants and many employees required to run the estate, can be found at every turn.
Visitors to Lorenzo enjoy guided tours of the Mansion furnished with 160 years of original furnishings. Explore the Visitor Center for the history of Cazenovia, building of Lorenzo, an amazing carriage and sleigh display, and to watch an introductory video. Visit the museum shop which features a unique selection of stationery, historic reproductions, design and history books, reprints, and gift items. Attend the many special events and presentations on the historic grounds including the annual "Lorenzo Driving Competition," "Rippleton Schoolhouse Community Day" and "Christmas at Lorenzo."
The grounds of Lorenzo are open daily, year-round, dawn until dusk to stroll through the Ellen Shipman designed formal garden and Dark Aisle Arboretum or hike the connective trail through the 87-acre site.
tours, Hours and Rates
Guided tours of the Mansion run from May through October
Hours
Wednesdays through Sundays
Open for tours on Monday holidays
10:00am -4:30pm
Last tour leaves at 4PM
Groups larger than 8 – please call ahead for guided tours
Visitor center and museum shop are open during these hours
Fees
Adults: $5 per person
Seniors and Students: $4 per person
Children 12 and under: free
Group tours (12+ people, with advanced registration): $4 per person
For more information please call (315) 655-3200.
Gardens and grounds
Friends of Lorenzo play a big part in the preservation of Lorenzo's gardens and grounds as a quiet refuge of natural beauty. All together, the grounds and various buildings cover over 80 acres, with stunning views of Cazenovia Lake.
Formal Garden
The design of Lorenzo's formal gardens dates back to the mid 1800s. In 1983, Friends of Lorenzo hired Janine Golub, Master Gardener, who referenced the original designs for plant varieties and placement. Get bloom schedule and grounds map.
The Great Lawn
The great lawn at Lorenzo features centuries old trees and spectacular views of Cazenovia Lake.
The Dark Aisle
The Lorenzo Dark Aisle is a double hedge of white pine, hemlock and Norway spruce planted by Ledyard Lincklaen and maintained since 1976 by the Syracuse Garden Club. Click Here to get Dark Isle flower guide.
HOURS
It's Free Historic grounds, including the Ellen Shipman formal garden and the Dark Aisle are open year-round, dawn to dusk.
Rippleton
Schoolhouse
Lorenzo’s newest addition is the historic Rippleton Schoolhouse built circa 1814 and operated until 1931. Sarah Auchincloss donated the District No. 7 School to Lorenzo in 1996 to preserve it for future use by school groups and the general public. Concerted research, documentation and analysis supported by FOL led to restoration of the Schoolhouse to the 1880s period.
Programs
Summer Day Camp
Rippleton Schoolhouse
Summer Day Camp At Lorenzo
Registration Now Open
Lorenzo State Historic Site and the Friends of Lorenzo are pleased to offer 8–12 year-old children an opportunity to spend a week at Rippleton Schoolhouse Day Camp this summer from Monday, August 3rd to Friday, August 7th.
Themes will include work life, home life, education, and leisure activities of Cazenovians from the past. Campers will explore all Lorenzo has to offer including:
The historic 1807 Lorenzo mansion
The restored one-room Rippleton schoolhouse
The site's gardens, woods, and meadows
Community Day
The free event, held each summer, is a chance for the whole family to experience the music, food, and games of the 19th century.