Behind the formal garden at the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller
National Historic Park, is The Belvedere, a pretty two story cottage that reminded me of a doll house. When we visited, pink tulips were
in full bloom, creating a charming effect.
A park ranger told us the cottage was a play house for the
children of the Billings family. That’s quite a playhouse! In the 1950s, it was remodeled by the Rockefellers. In the 1960s, a fallout shelter was added underneath the complex.
A greenhouse extends off the back. A second greenhouse was
where you see the pool now. The Rockefellers removed that greenhouse, replacing
it with the pool.
I love the pink tulips!
The pink tulips look so pretty with the cottage in the background.
Another wing behind the house is a bowling alley. The
Rockefellers replaced an older bowling alley with this one.
Coral bells grew around this rock garden and I even saw one growing in a crack on the stone stairs.
While we didn't get the chance to tour the fallout shelter, here's someone who did and posted it on youtube. This short video gives a glimpse inside and information from a park ranger.
