Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United States New York State New York City Tarrytown Lyndhurst Bowling Alley
AO Edited

Lyndhurst Bowling Alley

One of the earliest bowling lanes in the U.S. doubled as a sewing school during a time when women had little job opportunity.

Tarrytown, New York

Added By
mbekelja
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
Lyndhurst Bowling Alley.   Poppy Studio/Used with Permission
Lyndhurst Bowling Alley.   Lyndhurst/Used with Permission
Lyndhurst Bowling Alley.   Poppy Studio/Used with Permission
One of the parlors in the pavilion.   Clifford Pickett/Used with Permission
Lyndhurst Bowling Alley.   Clifford Pickett/Used with Permission
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Although bowling and women’s economic empowerment at the end of the 19th century are not usually thought of together, the recently restored Lyndhurst bowling alley actually links the two. For those who equate bowling alleys with the 1950s, this late-1800s structure, located within feet of the Hudson River, will be an eye opener.

The Lyndhurst bowling alley, originally built by Helen Gould, the eldest daughter of rail baron Jay Gould, was later used as a home for her sewing school.

The school, which was held in the building’s adjacent parlors, taught a trade to local women who often had no other job opportunity than to work as a servant. Many were recent immigrants. Helen Gould trained women of all races and religions, which was unusual for the period.

Later, Helen’s younger sister Anna, the Duchess of Talleyrand, used the bowling alley for soldier convalescence during World War II. Although the structure fell into disrepair in the 1950s, years of refurbishment have restored the bowling alley. Lyndhurst has recently opened this unlikely tribute to women’s empowerment for public tours.

The 7,000-square-foot structure includes a wide veranda to view the river. Its two-lane bowling alley is considered to be one of the earliest regulation lanes built in the country.

Related Tags

Architecture Bowling 19th Century Women Mansions

Know Before You Go

Tours of the bowling alley and neighboring mansion are offered to the public. The mansion grounds are also open to the public as a state-run park, and visitors can see the bowling alley on their own from the outside.

Community Contributors

Added By

mbekelja

Edited By

Davidmj, Kerry Wolfe

  • Davidmj
  • Kerry Wolfe

Published

November 3, 2017

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • http://lyndhurst.org/
  • http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/15/nyregion/westchester/15bowlingwe.html
  • http://www.lohud.com/story/money/real-estate/homes/2016/03/24/pbs-calls-lyndhurst-one-10-houses-changed-america/82203020/
  • http://www.westchesterarchives.com/ht/muni/tarrytn/sewing.htm
  • http://dlib.nyu.edu/findingaids/html/nyhs/gould/bioghist.html
Lyndhurst Bowling Alley
593-637 U.S. 9
Tarrytown, New York
United States
41.054131, -73.860953
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

The Armour-Stiner Octagon House

Irvington, New York

miles away

Kykuit, the Rockefeller Estate

Sleepy Hollow, New York

miles away

Headless Horseman Bridge

Sleepy Hollow, New York

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of New York State

New York State

United States

Places 807
Stories 45

Nearby Places

The Armour-Stiner Octagon House

Irvington, New York

miles away

Kykuit, the Rockefeller Estate

Sleepy Hollow, New York

miles away

Headless Horseman Bridge

Sleepy Hollow, New York

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of New York State

New York State

United States

Places 807
Stories 45

Related Stories and Lists

14 Places Created By and For Women

List

By Michelle Cassidy

11 Places Newly Renovated, Reopened, or Reimagined

temples

By Kerry Wolfe

Related Places

  • Peruse hundreds of antique, vintage, and locally made items at one of West Virginia’s oldest stores.

    Alderson, West Virginia

    Alderson’s Store

    You can still shop in one of West Virginia’s oldest stores.

    Sponsored by West Virginia Department of Tourism
  • A celebrated architectural feat, the Blennerhassett hotel was adorned with elaborate window treatments, frescoes, and even a passenger elevator.

    Parkersburg, West Virginia

    The (Haunted) Blennerhassett Hotel

    The oldest hotel in West Virginia is reportedly frequented by ghosts.

    Sponsored by West Virginia Department of Tourism
  • Sherborne St John, England

    The Vyne

    Alongside its 16th- and 17th-century architecture and interiors, this mansion houses an Ancient Roman ring that some believe may have inspired J.R.R. Tolkien.

  • Pune, India

    Taljai Mansion

    The crumbling ruins of an old stone mansion sit atop a hill in the middle of Pune.

  • Sethi House Complex

    Peshawar, Pakistan

    Sethi House

    A rare instance of a historical Peshawari mansion restored and opened to the public.

  • Bishop’s Palace.

    Galveston, Texas

    Bishop's Palace

    This private mansion turned Catholic bishop’s home is an iconic Galveston building.

  • Pilt Carin Ersdotter

    Nacka, Sweden

    Pilt Carin Ersdotter Statue

    A sculpture of a woman so beautiful she got arrested for it.

  • Gardner, Massachusetts

    S.K. Pierce Mansion

    This historic Victorian mansion is allegedly so haunted that a signed waiver is required to enter.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.