LVIS Grounds, continued
The LVIS grounds are home to an extraordinary collection of specimen trees, with origins spanning Asia and the United States, lending the property’s 2½ acres the character of a small arboretum. Near the Shops entrance stands a remarkable New York State Champion Pecan Tree, recognized by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation in 2024 as the largest of its kind in the state.
Another defining feature of the property is the Sunken Garden. Popularized in Europe during the 1920s, the garden sits five feet below grade and stretches 385 linear feet. Lush perennial beds surround an oval lawn accented by teak and stone benches, while original stone walls frame the space. At the garden’s northern end, a large stone fountain serves as a graceful focal point. In 1934, when Winthrop’s daughter, Isabelle, married at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, a dance floor was constructed over the Sunken Garden to accommodate a reception for 150 guests.
After significant deer damage in 2024, a galvanized wrought-iron fence, designed by LVIS Grounds Committee, was installed in 2025 to protect the garden. The Sunken Garden was then reimagined pro bono by renowned landscape architect Edmund Hollander. Started in late 2025, and completed in 2026, the restoration was made possible through the generosity of a team of local contractors assembled by Hollander, who donated their time, labor, and expertise. Together they undertook excavation, installed drainage systems, amended the soil, laid bluestone borders, planted more than 900 perennial plants, and installed new sod—an extraordinary gift to LVIS and the East Hampton community. The new garden is thoughtfully designed to provide beauty and interest throughout three seasons.
Open to the public, the LVIS landmark house and grounds welcome visitors year-round. We invite you to explore and enjoy this unique community treasure.
