folly called the "teahouse", to which the Astors would resort by miniature railroad. The Ferncliff Casino sports pavilion was renovated and converted into a residence. It was renamed "Astor Courts", the name Stanford White used. The squash courts were converted to a library. Recent decades After Vincent Astor's death in 1959, Ferncliff was split into several portions. Some parcels were sold, while others were the subject of large charitable donations: In 1964, Vincent Astor's widow, Brooke Astor, donated about 190 acres at Mt. Rusten to the Rhinebeck chapter of Rotary International for a forest preserve and game refuge, with the stipulation that it must remain "forever wild". The property was later transferred to Ferncliff Forest, Inc., a non-profit organization. About 1963, Mrs. Astor indicated that she wished to donate the property to Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York. Astor Courts (189 River Road) became a nursing home run by the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm. The original home was established in 1965. A new, more modern facility elsewhere on the property off River Road was completed in 1973. During the time that Ferncliff Nursing Home was operated by the Carmelites, it served over 328 elderly residents and employed over 425 people. Ferncliff Nursing Home continues to operate on a remaining thirty-six acres, now under Archcare, the healthcare agency of the Archdiocese of New York. Around 2004, the Astor Courts site returned to private ownership. It was purchased and restored by real estate developer Arthur Seelbinder and his wife, television producer Kathleen Hammer. In 2010, the wedding of Chelsea Clinton and Marc Mezvinsky was held there. A Greek Revival farmhouse (167 River Road), which once housed members of the estate staff, is now a private home. In 2000, the "teahouse" (195 River Road) was expanded and converted into a private residence. In 2013, it was purchased and renovated by businessman Robert Duffy. Photographer Annie Leibovitz purchased 220 acres that included the dairy barns completed in 1917, which she subsequently renovated. The gatehouse designed by Louis Augustus Ehlers marked the entrance to William Jr.'s mansion. It is now a private home. After Ava Astor Obolensky's death in 1956, the Marienruh property was used as a Christian youth camp, a home for unwed mothers, a drug rehab center, and an events space. It was privately purchased in 2010 and underwent restoration. See also Ferncliff Forest References External links Map