Old Westbury Gardens Venue | About

Old Westbury Gardens, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is the former home of John S. Phipps, his wife, Margarita Grace Phipps and their four children. Completed in 1906 by the English designer, George A. Crawley, the magnificent Charles II-style mansion is nestled amid 200 acres of formal gardens, landscaped grounds, woodlands, ponds and lakes. Westbury House is furnished with fine English antiques and decorative arts from the more than fifty years of the family's residence. Today, Old Westbury Gardens welcomes visitors of all ages for guided tours of Westbury House, in-depth tours of the formal gardens, school visits, children's programs and events, family programs, museum exhibitions, health & wellness classes, classic car shows, indoor and outdoor classical and pop concerts, lectures, book signings, horticultural demonstrations and workshops, Scottish Games, botanical arts and gardening classes, and Master Gardener and Educator-led talks and tours of topics relating to horticulture, art, history, design and architecture. Our Mission, Old Westbury Gardens seeks to inspire appreciation of the early 20th century American country estate through faithful preservation and interpretation of its landscape, gardens, architecture, and collections. All who wish to use Old Westbury Gardens as a backdrop/setting for portrait or wedding photography, even if the photographer is NOT a professional, must obtain a permit since all permit holders are escorted by staff and there are insurance requirements. Portrait or wedding photography is defined as, but not limited to: senior, prom, engagement, professional head shots, family, graduation, wedding, etc. Portrait or commercial photography is by appointment only and requests must be submitted at least 2 weeks in advance of permit date.