SANDI SCHNEIDER COLLECTION
The Briarcliff Lodge was a luxury resort in the village of Briarcliff Manor, New York. It was a notable example of Tudor Revival architecture, and was one of the largest wooden structures in the United States. It was also the first hotel in Westchester County. Walter William Law had it built on his estate, and the Law family owned it until 1937. When the lodge opened in 1902, it was one of the largest resort hotels in the world. The lodge hosted presidents, royalty, and celebrities, and was the scene of numerous memorable occasions for visitors and local residents who attended weddings, receptions, and dances in the ballroom and dining room. For a long time, the lodge was situated among other businesses of Walter Law, including the Briarcliff Farms and Briarcliff Table Water Company.
In 1923, a year before Walter Law's death, the Law family leased the lodge to Chauncey Depew Steele for 20 years. Under Steele's management, the lodge reached its prominence. The lodge also was opened to a wider variety of clientele but continued to be known as a resort for the wealthy and famous.
The 30 black and white pictures in this collection all date back to the Chauncey Depew Steele i.e., the 1920's. They depict the interior of the lodge; the exterior; the surroundings (e.g., the golf course, the greenhouses etc.) as well as some of the people connected to the Lodge.
This wonderful collection of materials was donated to the BMSHS by Mr. Depew Steele's granddaughter, Sandi Schneider in 2015.
