Mansion Special Exhibitions

Helen Gould attended a costume fete at NYU in the early 20th century and wore an 18th-century style dress.

A photo from one of Helen Gould’s many albums shows her in her costume dress. The caption reads “Costume worn at a New York University Fete 1900-1901”

In 1909, Sculptor Daniel Chester French received a commission from the Abraham Lincoln Centennial Memorial Association for a statue of Lincoln for the Nebraska State Capitol building. The final statue, set against a freestanding wall inscribed with the Gettysburg Address, was unveiled in September 1912. French stated that he “purposely tried to represent Lincoln bearing the burdens and perplexities and problems of the Great War.” The downward tilt of the head, rounded shoulders, and clasped hands evoke a mood of solemnity and purpose.
In August 1916, French asked an assistant to “look up, in my studio at 12 West 8th Street, the full-size head of my standing Lincoln and have it shipped to me by freight.” It is likely that French wanted to refer to the head of the standing Lincoln, which he had left in his New York studio, as he worked on the seated version at Chesterwood.

Thank you to Chesterwood for lending the sculpted head for this patriotic display. Lyndhurst has decorated the plinth on which the head rests with decorative bunting and a mourning wreath to pay our respects to Lincoln.

Helen Gould was a strong supporter of the American Forces during the Spanish-American War, purchasing supplies and even a warship to support the troops and the war efforts. On September 29th, 1899, a two-day land and sea parade in New York City welcomed Rear Admiral George Dewey (1837-1917) home. Dewey had become the nation’s great naval hero after his 1898 victory at the Battle of Manila Bay, in the Philippines, during the Spanish–American War. The U.S cruiser Raleigh also returned, being the first ship to come home after battle.

Helen Gould bedecked her 5th Avenue home with patriotic bunting and gifts from grateful servicemen whom she supported. Sabers, miniatures, mementos, and flags were all parts of the display. She was even gifted a difused artillery shell (which she had on view on the lawn at Lyndhurst) and a hand-embroidered flag from the men of the Raleigh.

The display in the reception room and in the south bedroom echoes Helen’s full patriotic displays on the day of the Dewey Parade. She had photographs taken of her artful tableaus and commissioned a watercolor to commemorate the event.

Here is a photograph from one of Helen Gould’s photo albums showing the items she received in recognition of her support for the Spanish-American War. The Raleigh flag is draped as a backdrop. If you look closely, you can also see a photo of Helen in her 18th-century costume dress on the top of the small curio cabinet.

A view of the full display in the Lyndhurst Reception Room.

Helen Gould also decorated her main bedroom at Lyndhurst with some of her gifted flags. Historic photographs show how she artfully draped them over her large cheval mirror and on other smaller pieces of furniture.