I recently had the opportunity to visit Manitoga, which was the estate and modernist home of industrial designer Russel Wright. Currently, Manitoga / The Russel Wright Design Center "preserves, protects and shares Russel Wright's modernist house, studio and woodland garden as a masterful integration of design and nature, a powerful example of land reclamation, and a resource for inspired design in daily living through public tours, programs and events." Considered a National Historic Landmark, an Affiliate Site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and a World Monuments Watch Site, Manitoga is one of the few 20th century modern homes open to the public in New York State.
I couldn't have chosen a more beautiful day for my drive to this majestic setting, and I couldn't believe that this hidden gem is less than an hour from where I live. It is tucked away in a wooded area in Garrison, NY -- not far from West Point, the U.S. Military Academy.