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Vacation Like Gatsby on This Historic 500-Acre Fairy Tale Estate

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Exterior
Exterior
Exterior
Interior
Fenced pool. 20' by 40' and 9.5' deep!

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
12 bedrooms6+ bathroomsSleeps 25882.6 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Pool
  • Dryer
  • Fireplace
  • Washer
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

Map
Gilbertsville, NY
  • Cooperstown All Star Village Fields
    ‪31 min drive‬
  • State University of New York-Oneonta
    ‪37 min drive‬
  • Cooperstown Dreams Park
    ‪56 min drive‬
  • Sidney, NY (SXY-Sidney Municipal)
    ‪26 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

12 bedrooms (sleeps 25)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

6 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1

Bathroom 2

Bathroom 3

Bathroom 4

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 5

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 6

Bathtub · Toilet

Bathroom 7

Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Vacation Like Gatsby on This Historic 500-Acre Fairy Tale Estate

Vacation Like Gatsby on This Historic 500-Acre Fairy Tale Estate and get away from it all and vacation like a Standard Oil heir at this gorgeous country estate, open to the public for the first time since its pre-WWI war conception.

Steeped in wealthy history, this former vacation home, built in the early 1900s by New York's most famous equestrians (and heirs of a Standard Oil founder and Rockefeller partner), has been meticulously maintained for decades. The view of the surrounding 500 acres overlooking the Butternut Valley provides a peaceful retreat from the city and an amazing backdrop for New York's most grandiose weddings. Whether you're looking to bring your family together for a reunion or to hold the classiest of weddings, Centennial Farms Manor is the most prestigious place in upstate New York to do both.

Each guest suite (part of the sleeping rooms) has a working fireplace, high-thread-count linens, private bathroom and French doors leading to balconies. Other bedrooms have privacy and shared bathrooms. Imagine enjoying a rich cappuccino in the courtyard each morning while the birds sing and the horses graze in pastures as far as the eye can see.

Take a dip in the totally refurbished 20'x40' swimming pool, go for a hike and photograph a number of our property's small waterfalls, play some croquet or lawn games, or roast dinner over an open fire. Peruse the history of the house, enjoy a good book by lamp light, or feast on a gourmet meal prepared in our huge kitchen. When evening embers glow dimmer, you can reflect on a glamorous day in the most beautiful place on Earth with a cocktail in front of one of the 10 fireplaces.

Your room is spacious, inviting and private. Guest suites have private baths and soft, cushy linens to snuggle into. What could be better?

Contact us today and plan your own fairy tale retreat in New York.

Property manager

Albert Geldmacher/Property Manager

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Pool
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Outdoor space
Parking available

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Exterior

Vacation Like Gatsby's Butler On A Historic 500-Acre Fairy Tale Estate

  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Pet-friendly
10.0 out of 10, (1 review)
Vacation Like Gatsby's Butler On A Historic 500-Acre Fairy Tale Estate

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

Events allowed
Event Fees Maybe Required
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
"See Rental Agreement for Cancellation Policy"
All credit card transaction are subject to a 3% Bank Processing Fee.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Parties and events are allowed on site
Note from host: Event Fees Maybe Required
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock

We should mention

A car is recommended for transport to and from this property

About the area

Gilbertsville

Gilbertsville is home to this holiday home. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Cooperstown All Star Village Fields and South Hill State Forest, while Chenango County Historical Society Museum and Bullthistle Model Railroad Society Museum are cultural highlights. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Gilbertsville, NY

What's nearby

  • Cooperstown All Star Village Fields - 31 min drive - 25.1 km
  • Hartwick College - 34 min drive - 34.0 km
  • State University of New York-Oneonta - 37 min drive - 36.8 km
  • Cooperstown Dreams Park - 56 min drive - 49.5 km
  • National Baseball Hall of Fame - 58 min drive - 51.3 km

Restaurants

  • ‪Old Mill Restaurant - ‬14 min drive
  • ‪Empire House Restaurant Bar - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Korner Stone Restaurant - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪The Old Mill - ‬14 min drive
  • ‪Gilbert Block Ice Cream Shop - ‬4 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Does Vacation Like Gatsby on This Historic 500-Acre Fairy Tale Estate have a pool?

Yes, this property has a pool.

Is Vacation Like Gatsby on This Historic 500-Acre Fairy Tale Estate pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Vacation Like Gatsby on This Historic 500-Acre Fairy Tale Estate ?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Vacation Like Gatsby on This Historic 500-Acre Fairy Tale Estate ?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Vacation Like Gatsby on This Historic 500-Acre Fairy Tale Estate located?

Set in Gilbertsville, this family-friendly holiday home is 11.7 mi (18.8 km) from Susquehanna River and 11.9 mi (19.1 km) from Guilford Town Hall. South Hill State Forest and Otego Municipal Park are also within 16 miles (25 km).

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 25 out of 32 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 6 out of 32 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 32 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 32 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 32 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Amy W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Zachary L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Incredible Getaway

The house was beautiful and even bigger than we expected. The grounds around the house (sheltered patio, fire pit, pool, etc.) were a delightful addition to our group’s stay as well. The host was very nice and made the check in and check out process very easy. The only issue we faced was that the house got very warm as the house is not air conditioned, though there were a few floor AC units and fans available. Overall we had a great stay and would definitely return in the future.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Rene C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family getaway

This was a very spacious, comfortable property. It was perfect for our family get together.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2024

8/10 Good

Ravi P., Amherst

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Historic Mansion

Our large family group of 22 people rented this wonderful property for our annual Thanksgiving reunion. We loved the house with its HUGE & spectacular living and dining rooms which allowed plenty of room to spread out. The kitchen is massive & very well equipped with a professional range, 2 refrigerators and plenty of china & tableware to accommodate a big group. The 12 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms are perfect for a large group. The beds were very comfortable & there were plenty of towels provided. The house itself was surprisingly warm for a house this old & there was plenty of hot water! If you like antique furniture, china, and other collectibles, you will love this place. The wifi is adequate - its strong in the parlor, living room and dining room - but weak elsewhere - a router/transmitter of the 2nd floor would help. The hosts provided a roll of bathroom tissue in every bathroom & a new roll of paper towel in the kitchen - but beyond this we had to purchase our own. Since the town is ~20 min drive, it would be great if additional supplies of these were provided. One small issue we had was that on a couple of days the water in some of the showers ran brown initially, but it cleared up if you ran it for a while. Perhaps the sediment filter in the water line from the well needs to be checked. This is a great house with a LOT of character, located in a peaceful location with wonderful views of the mountains. Albert (host), and Larisa were most helpful and friendly.
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Benjamin B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Stay at the manor

Totally beautiful building, exactly what we were looking for. We had guests stay for a nearby wedding, and they all had a great time.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Hayley C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wedding at the Manor!

Centennial Farm is absolutely gorgeous! We were able to have our micro wedding at the property and some of our guests stayed the weekend! The house is absolutely amazing and the pictures don't do it justice! It is spacious for everyone, the kitchen is stocked with anything you might need and the decor makes you feel like you've gone back in time. Al helped us with everything we needed to make our wedding a success! You'll love it!!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Hilary L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family Reunion weekend

Our family enjoyed staying at Centennial Farm for a long weekend. There were lots of places for small gatherings, conversations, card games as well as a nice large kitchen and dining room for when we all were together. We made use of the pool as well as the fire pit and enjoyed the views across the valley to the farms and fields of golden rod in bloom. For a quiet, serene stay in an interesting and evocative manor house, this place fit the bill!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great place

Beautiful location
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Michael C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect for large groups

Property is amazing if you like old world charm.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Bertram L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great home for a family get together.

This is a 100 year old very large home. It was a great place for a family get together. The kitchen has every thing you would want in a kitchen. Very large rooms for kitchen, dining and living. Outdoors the view of the valley is really great. There are some maintenance issues mostly due to the age of the building but nothing that will effect your stay.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Hannah K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great New Years Destination

Several families gathered for games, food, and enjoyed this house! We had a ball!
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Julianne J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Gatsby Mansion

Lovely, historical property with a lot of space! Gorgeous setting with fantastic caretakers. We made so many wonderful memories while our son played in Cooperstown. A magnificent environment to spend time in, in between games!
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Messina S., Ponte Vedra, FL

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Cooperstown Allstar Village Stay

What an amazing property and super fun family and friends time! We had multiple families stay here while our sons played at Cooperstown Allstar village. The village is approximately 20-25 minutes from door to door. The house was everything we were hoping and more! The photos don’t do it justice. It’s such an awesome house with great character! We truly enjoyed our stay here. Al was super attentive when we had some strong weather come in and we lost power. He came right up to the house and supplied us with candles. The power was restored quickly and we were back on track. I honestly can’t put into words how beautiful the view is from this home. This is a perfect place to stay with large groups. We had lots of kids there of various ages and not one time did they complain of boredom or not having anything to do. I loved the eclectic decor of the house! It totally added to the charm of this place. We have another son coming through Cooperstown in 2 years and we plan to secure this place again!
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

David F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great for family gatherings

We had a great family get-together here just after Christmas and really enjoyed the property. The large house held everyone with no problem. It was quiet and relaxing. We went for walks, built fires in the downstairs fireplaces, and read books and did puzzles in the giant living room.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2021

8/10 Good

Christopher L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family Christmas weekend

We very much enjoyed our family time. The property was very spacious and accommodated all our needs for a large family gathering. The kitchen was well equipped. The Christmas decorations in the house were beautifully done and much appreciated. The house setting was secluded and provide a lovely view. We very much enjoyed our weekend and can recommend this property for other to enjoy.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2021

10/10 Excellent

Kristine M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fabulous secluded spot!

We had a wonderful time.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2021

10/10 Excellent

Peter B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Undersold, overdelivered!

We needed a place that could accommodate a group of 25 students over fall break and came across this listing. We crossed our fingers and hoped it was as good as it seemed--but it was better! The bedrooms were comfy and cute, and there were five or so extra roll-away beds that we could use so no one had to be on an air mattress. Lots of bathrooms meant there weren't lines in the morning. Water pressure and heat was great. There were many extra towels and sheets if needed. The house is quite large and we never felt cramped even with 25 of us there, despite that it was a rainy weekend. There was plenty of space to spread out and read or play games. The couches are comfy and we loved having a fire going in the large fireplace. The dining room was large enough to accommodate all of us for dinner. We cooked out on the fire pit one night. The kitchen is spacious which is crucial for preparing large meals. One way they undersold the listing is that they don't tell you how many kitchen supplies they have--there's a pantry full of appliances. For instance, we were able to use a food processor and a waffle maker. They have all sorts of utensils and more dish ware than you should need. The property is gorgeous (the photos don't do it justice) and the students went for daily walks. A small waterfall is a mere hundred feet from the house. A couple things to be aware of: this is an old house, and thus a bit quirky. For instance many of the bedrooms are connected by a bathroom, but the locks only work from one side. So for some of the bathrooms or bedrooms you cannot completely secure the locks. This wasn't an issue for us, though. The wifi is not great and doesn't reach the kitchen very well, but it was adequate for students to submit assignments. They were able to download a movie on their iPad and then play it on the tv. The piano is not tuned. We did run into issues with the major kitchen appliances: the two refrigerators did not get very cold at all, and the oven knobs were not working correctly. Only one of the dishwashers was working. Once we figured out how to use pliers to work the oven we were able to use it again (though the convection did not work). None of the food went bad in the fridges. I imagine these are things they will remedy, however. The host was very responsive via text while we were there and had a repairman come out. He also brought us a shovel and other items we requested. We hope we get to return in the future!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2021

10/10 Excellent

Ann Marie M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Cooperstown All Star Village Stay

We had a wonderful stay! We were there for a week of baseball tournaments at All Star Village and had a group of five families. We had plenty of room to spread out, enjoyed relaxing on the porch each night after being at the fields all day and had a great family style meal with all our boys on the last night! It’s about a 25 minute drive to ASV. Larissa was great and was very quick to respond to us when we had questions. The house has a lot of charm! Would highly recommend!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Joel P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Property with Character and History

Grand House set on lush green open space
Stayed 3 nights in May 2021

10/10 Excellent

Jonathon R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Not long enough

We thoroughly enjoyed this property for a family get together. Would definitely stay again
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2019

8/10 Good

Jesse C., Hammonton, NJ

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Cooperstown All Star Village Dream Manor

Stayed at this wonderful oasis in the upstate NY hills while my son's baseball team played/stayed at the Cooperstown All Star Village. 25 minutes door to door. We shared the house with 6 other families and there was PLENTY of rooms, bathrooms, space for everyone. It couldn't have gone any better. We had fires every night and the view out of the back of the property is stunning - gorgeous sunsets. Highlights: Plenty of activities for the kids, volley ball, the pool, etc. Huge, updated kitchen (both icemakers need repair). Large dining room for everyone to eat together. Large family room with comfortable couches, chairs and large, working fireplaces in all the common areas. The firepit outside, with the lounge chairs is awesome. Most rooms had accessible bathrooms for privacy. Double washer and dryer that was in constant use. Caution: the wifi is not ready for primetime. It was spotty at best - could not rely on it to get remote work done. Bonus, the kids were forced to have old school fun. Also, the property should not advertise TV access. There is no cable service, one TV with roku and again, the wifi is spotty at best, so no TV for the week. Again, old school fun. The pool was FREEZING. I believe there may be a leak issue, so they ran water into it all week - very cold, virtually unswimmable. Just pointing out things I believe future renters will want to know. Despite these little details, we all had a WONDERFUL week and would HIGHLY recommend a large group, or family reunion staying at this AWESOME manor and estate. We will have lifelong memories from our week here! Thanks again to the house manager, Larisa. She was great.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

Glen M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing retreat

Everything about this place was perfect. Just driving up the little dirt road coming around the bend to this beautiful mansions set the stage for the entire week. So much of the house maintained it’s history yet everything was functional The great room and the kitchen turned out to be the best parts of the first floor. While the entire outside view across the valley was perfect for morning coffee, and afternoon wine, and an evening whiskey. Thank you for allowing us to enjoy our week at your home
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2019

8/10 Good

Molly B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely Big House

Abysmal WiFi and the TV was a jumble of disconnected wires. Other than that, the house provided a beautiful place surrounded by lush grass, with a view of rolling hills. The pool was the perfect size, but provided no shade.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing Property for a Group Vacation!

Our group flew in from Colorado to play a week of baseball at All Star Village in Oneonta (which is just under a 30 min drive away). The view from the Manor house is stunning and the giant yard gave us plenty of room for outdoor play. The kids enjoyed playing in the pool and on the playset every day, we all loved the interesting character of the home and various antiques, we sat around the backyard bonfire every night, we relaxed on the side porches and we often had family meals in the large kitchen. We were thankful for the double washers and dryers and found everything we needed for cooking and sleeping. The property manager was wonderfully nice and responsive - we all left smiling and would come back again!!!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Karlene R.

Great House with Plenty of Room

This house was great for our large group celebrating New Years Eve. There were plenty of bedrooms and the common spaces provided more than enough room for everyone to hang out and play games. The kitchen was well stocked and allowed us to enjoying cooking for everyone. Larisa, the house manager, was very responsive and answered any questions we had. The only downside was the heat. When it turned on it made very loud banging noises that woke us up in the middle of the night.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2018

About the host

Hosted by Albert Geldmacher/Property Manager

Host profile image
We are the first non-heirs to own this property. We purchased the property, several other structures (Butler house, Carriage House, Laundry house, Farm House, Village Farms complex, etc.) and over 550 acres because we are crazy about horses and history. We've tried to maintain the charm of yesteryear while providing updates, also. At Centennial Farms Manor, it's all about enjoying the rewards from a life of working hard. Cheers!

Why they chose this property

Construction began on Centennial Farms Manor in 1914, was placed on hold due to the War, then completed between 1917 and 1920. The widow of Al Bostwick, son of Standard Oil millionaire Jabez Bostwick, remarried attorney Fitch Gilbert, Jr. and they spent summers here, vacationing with her children. One of her children, George Herbert 'Pete' Bostwick, is the most legendary polo player of all time, as well as a tennis champ and a steeplechase winner. We still have the Butler's house, the Carriage house, the laundry house, and the original 'Village Farms' farm-house and barns. We have our Thoroughbred boarding and breeding facility across from the old polo fields. The history of this place is phenomenal. We are the only owners since the Bostwick/Gilbert family to own the place and we have tried to keep the historical charm intact. Please, be our guests!

What makes this property unique

Solitude. If you'd like to dance through the acres of soft green lawn in your jammies, have at it. You will only have to share the serenity with the deer, the birds, and the trickling brook just across the lawn. Enjoy some peace.

Languages:

English
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