Visiting Daheim in Millbrook, New York

August 3, 2024

Have you ever heard of Daheim, the Victorian mansion that sits on more than 2000 acres in the historic Hudson Valley village of Millbrook, New York? Well, it's up for sale.

Daheim, which is German for “at home,” has also been known as "Millbrook" and the Hitchcock estate. The property was originally created in the late 1800s from a group of old farms by German-born gas tycoon Charles F. Dieterich. Since then, Daheim was owned by Standard Oil president and chairman Walter C. Teagle, and the Hitchcock brothers, heirs to the Mellon Family oil and banking fortune. In 1963, the Hitchcocks rented it out to American psychologist, author, and LSD advocate, Timothy Leary, who used it for experiments and weekend psychedelic experiences. Over the next two decades, the mansion fell into disrepair until the late architectural historian John Foreman moved in and took over efforts to preserve and restore it. Still owned by the Hitchcock family today, the property, and its 15000 square foot Bavarian Baroque style main home, also includes two lakes, a gate house, a smaller single-story residence known as “The Bungalow,” a tennis pavilion, a stable, and numerous other residences and outbuildings. I visited Daheim not too long ago.

Enjoy these photos.

: Here I am at Daheim, a most interesting property steeped in history. It is now for sale and listed by Heather Croner, Sotheby’s International Realty.

: This is a stone addition to the main house that was built to house a more modern kitchen and servants’ facilities.

: Owner Charles F. Dieterich created the estate out of five adjoining farms in Millbrook, surrounded by a natural landscape of trees and open fields.

: None of the stone walls were veneered. Instead, the stone work on all the exterior walls was done with two-foot thick stones.

: When built, this farm was a dairy. There was also a corn barn or feed barn, a molasses barn, a cattle barn, and an equipment shed.

: This is inside the restored hay barn notable for its magnificent trusses. Round hay bales are stored in the rear.

: Here is a view of one of the lakes at Daheim. A driveway crosses a stone bridge over a narrow canal that connects the estate’s two main bodies of water.

: The two lakes are 45 and 60 acres large, but there are also smaller ponds on the property.

: The main house was designed by James E. Ware in the late 1800s. A smaller guest house named The Bungalow, was designed by Addison Mizner in 1912.

: The original oak and mahogany millwork in Daheim largely intact.

: Many of the rooms are still furnished.

: On the ground floor of Daheim, the kitchen wing is connected to the wood frame section of the house. Roomy wood and glass front cabinets were built all the way to the ceiling providing lots of storage space.

: Charming smaller cabinets were built one narrow walls.

: Here are two large farm sinks with beautiful views of the gardens.

: So much of the interior was well cared for over the years.

: Many of the ceilings still show the ornate stencil work. Daheim is clearly an estate filled with history and now waiting for its next owner. See more photos by clicking on the highlighted link.

: Before heading home, I stopped in to visit the Orangerie, also in Millbrook, owned by my friend, Anthony Bellomo. If you’re in the area, please visit this charming garden shop and nursery filled with unique plants and items for the garden and home.

: Inside the Orangerie, a wonderful collection of curated pieces.

: Home decorating and gardening books, tableware, baskets, and of course, hand made, one-of-a-kind ceramic lamps by artist Christopher Spitzmiller.