Dec 15 2012

Then & Now: The Home of Driver Foxhall Keene in Old Westbury


The hometown favorite of the 1905 and 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Races was millionaire sportsman and Wall Street broker Foxhall Keene. Keene lived just one mile north of the 1904 and 1906 starting lines in his Old Westbury estate called “Rosemary Hall.” The house still stands today.

Enjoy,

Howard Kroplick


Foxhall Keene

Foxhall Keene was a true sportsman, proficient in auto racing, polo, equestrian riding, football and shooting.

Since the origin of the car determined the entry's representation, American-born Keene and his Mercedes drove for Germany. Regardless, spectators cheered wildly each time Keene, his mechanician William Luttgen and their #5 racer passed the grandstand during the 1905 Vanderbilt Cup Race.

Keene and Luttgen taking the Guiness Woods Turn in Old Westbury before hitting a telegraph pole in Albertson.

Keene tried again in the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race. This time, his #18 Mercedes lasted only four of the 11 laps when he cracked a cylinder in Jericho.


Rosemary Hall (1902-1930s)

The layout for the first floor of Rosemary Hall

A 1906 postcard of Keene's home.

Foxhall Keene and William Luttgen on the driveway of Rosemary Hall.

The Georgian Revival stuccoed mansion has a two-story high, Corinthian-column portico marking an entrance to a great hall.

The entrance staircase.

Formal gardens flanked each side of the mansion.

Keene enjoyed fox hunting on his estate and in the Old Westbury area.


Rosemary Hall- 1940

Following the 1929 market crash, Keene sold Rosemary Hall to William Grace Holloway, who renamed it Foxland.


Rosemary Hall-1970

In 1969, the estate was sold to New York Institute of Technology (NYIT). Later, the estate was sold to a land developer.


Rosemary Hall-2004

In late 1999, the house was sold again and a major renovation began. The beautiful columns were removed.


Rosemary Hall-2007


Rosemary Hall- December 15, 2012

The restoration continues.

The spectacular Corinthian columns are back up!


Comments

Dec 16 2012 Lou 11:40 AM

Great pictures and I’m glad the columns are back up….

Dec 25 2012 Tom 8:50 AM

I’m pleased that the house wasn’t sub-divided or destroyed!  Have a great day Howard.

Dec 25 2012 Ted Reina 11:58 PM

Better late than never,but I want to wish every one a MERRY CHRISTMASS. I had trouble with the computer, Great pictures,as usual of everything you send Howard. Yes it is the Carriage Museum in stony brook. Trying to catch up on things,It’s 11:57 now

Dec 26 2012 Ted Reina 4:33 PM

Just to let you know ,I have noticed that the time on my the comments is off by 1 hour,I don’t think it takes 1 hour to get to the site,does it? that’s why I put the time on my last comment,just to see if I’m right. Still catching up on all the pictures that have been posted,get back you as soon as I’m done,for some comments.  Time is 4:33pm 12/26

Dec 26 2012 Howard Kroplick 5:52 PM

Ted, all comments are moderated and reviewed prior to posting due to the proliferation of comment spam.

Dec 27 2012 Ted Reina 6:46 PM

Did you read in todays Newsday about the two-dozen frame houses in East Hampton dating from between 1700-1850? they say new owners may take them down and they’re fighting it.It’s in the Our Towns section Framing A PRESERVATION Plan Proposal aims to keep 1700-1850- era frame houses intact, Just thought I’d let you all know

Mar 29 2013 Phil Morris 2:05 PM

This is wonderful and nice to know its being restored. I first read about the place in Monica Randall’s book, ” The Mansions of Long Island’s Gold Coast ” and she shed more light on the second owner. What a beautiful mansion.

Apr 13 2013 elise holloway 4:42 PM

I have pictures of interior. This was my grandparents house.  I have a few stories to tell! We had great fun there as children.

Apr 13 2013 Howard Kroplick 9:14 PM

Hi Elise:

Thanks for your comment!!

If you wish to share these photos, please email jpegs to me at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) .

Leave a Comment