County Judge David Everett has issued an order lifting restrictions on the county’s efforts to preserve and enhance the 130-acre Merestead property in Bedford and Mount Kisco. The entrance to the park and grounds is at 455 Byram Lake Road in Mount Kisco.
The mansion and land were deeded to the county by the Patterson family in 1982 and became the property of the county in 2000 with the passing of Mrs. Margaret Sloane Patterson. She was the wife of orthopedic surgeon Robert Patterson and daughter of William Sloane.
Sloane had been president and founder of W. & J. Sloane, a noted New York City furniture and rug store that served many of the area’s most prominent families and also at one time helped furnish the White House. The Merestead Mansion dates from 1906 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Properties. In addition to the mansion and land, the county received rights to an endowment fund of about $4.3 million but the county was restricted from immediately using the entire amount.
Judge Everett’s order marks an end to litigation that has been pending for several years. The order releases the majority of funds from trust accounts associated with Merestead for use at Merestead. It establishes a trust account for the remaining funds and enables the county to draw 5% per year for ongoing maintenance and development projects. It also provides a structured approach to managing Merestead’s valuable assets, including artwork and other items.
Westchester County Executive George Latimer said, “This decision signifies a significant step forward in our efforts to preserve and enhance Merestead for future generations. We are committed to honoring Mrs. Margaret Sloane Patterson’s vision, while ensuring that Merestead remains a vibrant cultural and recreational destination for the community.”
The county undertook a restoration project on the mansion and when visiting the work site in July 2021 Latimer noted that in the past there had been events including chamber music concerts held at Merestead. He said that the Parks Department would be seeking public input regarding future uses for the mansion and the surrounding open space and that the county wants to put the restored mansion to a productive public use. He said that was the intent of Mrs. Patterson when she bequeathed the property to the county.
