Rosen House &
Collection
As a country retreat, the Rosens intended the house to be a home for all that they loved and enjoyed—family, friends, works of art and music performances. Today the Rosen House remains fully furnished with the family’s collection.
Built between 1929-1939
“We built this house, my husband and I, not to be new or old, but just to be beautiful. And we built it for music.” Lucie Rosen
With these words, Lucie Rosen (1890-1968) described very simply what she and her husband Walter Rosen (1875-1951) had in mind when creating their country estate at Caramoor. Inspired by travels to Europe— to Italy in particular— the couple, who married in 1914, had their Mediterranean-style house built during the decade between 1929 and 1939.
Asian and Renaissance art
Visitors to the house today encounter many artworks from Asia and Europe dating from the 15th-20th centuries, set in complete rooms the Rosens imported from private villas and chateaux in France, Italy and England.
In the Reception Room, eighteenth-century Chinese export wallpaper provides a spectacular setting for Venetian furniture and an Egyptian-Revival overmantle. Ranging from the Burgundian Library with its 17th-century French paneling and a brilliant blue groin-vaulted ceiling painted with scenes from the Old Testament to Mrs. Rosen’s Bedroom and Dressing Room furnished with personal mementos, as well as 17th-century furniture, nineteen rooms on the main floor of the house showcase art treasures collected by the Rosens.
Music Room
The Rosens hosted concerts in the Music Room, and it is still used as a performance space. The ambiance of this room is heightened by architectural elements like the 17th-century Italian ceiling, twisted columns of Veronese red marble, a portrait entitled Sibylla attributed to Lucas Cranach, and the Spanish Alcove, the Rosens’ intimate family room, furnished with books, Italian majolica and 18th-century English chinoiserie armchairs.
The Formal Dining Room
The highlight of the elegant Formal Dining Room is the 18th-century hand-painted Chinese wallpaper teeming with flowers, birds and butterflies on a distinctive teal blue background. The room also features an overmantel made of a surprising material, gilded chandeliers and scones by the firm of E. F. Caldwell & Company and a colorful balustrade imported from Venice.
Book A Tour
Docent-led tours are the best way to see the Rosen House and hear the stories of the family that created this unique home. Tours take place on Fridays and Saturdays at 10:00, 11:00 and 12:00.
Visit Us
Craft your experience to make the most of your visit.
Make a Gift
Your support brings performances to life, preserves Caramoor’s historic legacy, and nurtures the artists of tomorrow. Every gift matters—and makes you part of the Caramoor family.
