Skene Manor is located on Skene Mountain in Whitehall, New York. The manor was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974 (read about the manor’s history).
Whitehall Skene Manor Preservation, Inc.
In the early- to mid-1990s, an out-of-state party wished to buy the manor and move it to his state, removing forever one of Whitehall’s most famous landmarks. In 1995, a group of Whitehall residents formed the non-profit organization, Whitehall Skene Manor Preservation, Inc. (often referred to as SOS or Save Our Skene). In a short time, the group was able to raise a down payment to purchase the property on October 26, 1995, for the people of Whitehall. With this purchase, Skene Manor was protected from the out-of-state move, and from the fate of two other Whitehall castles: Myer’s Castle and The Hall Mansion.
Whitehall Skene Manor Preservation, Inc. is dedicated to historically restoring Skene Manor to its former beauty. Restoration is ongoing and made possible through donations and the efforts of volunteers. If you are interested in donating or volunteering, please contact us (make sure to check the volunteer box on the contact form if you would like to volunteer).
Skene Manor’s Architecture and Design
The manor’s slate roof has six dormers and decorative pediments in the peak of the main tower. Decorative wrought iron, 18 inches in height, outlines the ridge of each roof. There are five chimneys constructed of native stone. The cornices have decorative wooden brackets. The porte-cochere, which was recently restored, is no longer in use due to the 1960s addition of a kitchen which blocks the roadway. A wide porch extends to the front of the porte-cochere, and a small northwest porch has been dismantled for repairs and restoration.
The interior reflects the original Victorian style, although some alterations were made in the 1960s. There are three stories, each 3000 square feet in area, ten bedrooms, and three dining rooms. Seven of the original eight fireplaces (one marble and six slate) remain in the home. One was removed during the addition of the kitchen. The stair rail and banister are made of mahogany, walnut, oak, and birch. Stained-glass windows are located on the stair landing and over the front door. The main foyer has an original three-foot wall mural depicting a medieval hunt scene, and the rooms are enhanced with deep ceiling moldings.