Kykuit, the Rockefeller estate, celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2009

POCANTICO HILLS, NY (May 8, 2009) - Kykuit, the six-story stone house and rolling hilltop estate that served as home to four generations of Rockefellers, opens to visitors for the season on Saturday, May 9, 100 years after the family first took residency there.

Kykuit's art, architecture, and gardens are consistently rated the top visitor attraction in the lower Hudson Valley. Westchester Magazine includes it on its "must-do" list, calling it "spectacular indoors and out." It includes a six-story stone house, expansive terraced gardens, art galleries, outdoor sculpture, commanding Hudson River views, and much more.

This year marks the 100^th anniversary of Kykuit's construction by John D. Rockefeller and his son, John D. Rockefeller, Jr.

Visitors can choose from four tours: Classic, Grand, Timesaver, and Selected Highlights.

The Classic is ideal for first-time visitors and is a shorter experience than the comprehensive three-hour Grand. Besides seeing the mansion, both tours include visits to Kykuit's art galleries, terraced gardens, and cavernous Coach Barn, with its collection of horse-drawn carriages, vintage automobiles, and equestrian equipment. The 90-minute Timesaver and Selected Highlights emphasize the house and gardens and omit the Coach Barn and art galleries. The Timesaver is ideal for those on tighter schedules.

Historic Hudson Valley operates the public visitation program at Kykuit, a historic site of the National Trust operated and maintained by the Rockefeller Brothers Fund as a center for its philanthropic programs. The Kykuit season runs through Nov. 1.

Kykuit means "lookout" in Dutch, owing to its hilltop location overlooking the Hudson River and the Palisades. Visitors learn the story of the Rockefellers, beginning with John D. Rockefeller, founder of Standard Oil, whose business acumen made him the richest man in America in his day. He later became the country's first great philanthropist. By his death in 1937, he had given more than half his fortune to various philanthropic programs.

Visitors can buy their tickets online in advance, choosing the exact tour, time, and date they want to visit. Tickets are on sale now at www.hudsonvalley.org. Tours operate daily except Tuesdays.

"Visitors tell us they really appreciate the opportunity to book tours in advance online. It makes planning your Kykuit visit very easy," said Thom Thacker, director of the Kykuit visitation program for Historic Hudson Valley.

Ticket prices for Kykuit tours range from $21-$40; $13-$30 for Historic Hudson Valley or National Trust members.

Advanced ticket buying is strongly recommended, particularly for weekend tours, which fill up quickly. Besides online at www.hudsonvalley.org, tickets may be purchased by calling 914-631-8200 (service charge additional) or at the Kykuit Visitor Center at Philipsburg Manor, 381 North Broadway (Route 9) in Sleepy Hollow. All tours start at the Kykuit Visitor Center; doors open at 9 a.m. For information: www.hudsonvalley.org.