Harkness’s mix of landscapes, from sand dunes, to salt marsh, to coastal grasslands, makes for an interesting array of terrain — and an ideal habitat for birds and wildlife, including the piping plover, least terns, and osprey.

Harkness Memorial Loop

• 1.3-mile loop trail 
• Level of difficulty: Easy
• Walk this beautiful park and grounds and see all this park has to offer — the mansion, boardwalk, wildlife viewing platform, gardens and the views of Long Island Sound. The popular loop takes an average of 25 minutes to complete.

Niering Walk 

• 0.25-mile
• Level of difficulty: Easy
• Take this easy stroll for prime bird watching and exceptional views of Goshen Cove. Try to spot some of the rare species found along the shoreline and in the marshes of the nature preserve. About halfway through the loop, take a short detour to the wildlife viewing platform. Don’t forget your binoculars!

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Trail Map

FORMAL GARDENS

Lush gardens flank the mansion, adding to the beauty and splendor of the seaside panorama. The gardens were largely the work of Beatrix Farrand, renowned landscape designer and one of the founders of the American Society of Landscape Architects.

Each of the estate’s six gardens has its own theme. 

• East Garden – A traditional, English garden with purple, pink, yellow, and white flowers: many heliotrope, Mrs. Harkness’s favorite bloom; a collection of Asian statues; and a jade stone pool. 
• West Garden – A formal Italian garden serves as a lively contrast to its tranquil eastern counterpart with symmetrical footpaths, iron fencing, a limestone fountain, bright floral arcs and spires, and a pond with cattails and water lilies. 
• Boxwood Parterre – A nod to a deck of cards, with low boxwoods manicured like spades, diamonds, clubs, and hearts, all surrounded by an elaborate ironwork fence. 
• Alpine Rock Garden - Reflects the Maine coastline with a sprawling landscape of evergreens, spring bulbs, and summer perennials, a flowing stream, rock pond, and cave. 
• The Grounds – Clusters of trees and shrubs transform the grounds and extend the botanical flow throughout the property, along with meadows, an orchard, and golf course. 
• Cutting Garden – Rows upon rows of vibrant, dramatic blooms make it possible to bring the gardens inside, too.

MANSION 

Named Eolia, for the island home of the Greek god of winds, this stunning Roman Renaissance Classical Revival-style mansion is the former summer estate of oil magnate, Edward Harkness, and his wife, Mary. The 42-room mansion features 20 bedrooms, 14 baths, and 11 fireplaces, a pergola (tearoom), and carriage house (support complex). The Harkness family used the 200-acre property as a working farm to supply their produce, poultry, and dairy while in Waterford and at their New York City residence. The grounds also included a nine hole golf course and garage large enough to fit five cars, three limousines, and a truck used to cart 1,500 pounds of ice to the estate every other day in the summer.

In the mid-1990’s, $3.8 million extensive renovation project was done to restore the mansion and gardens to their original grandeur, including infrastructure upgrades, structural repairs, cosmetic refurbishments, and accessibility enhancements. Preservation of the historic mansion is important due to the architectural significance of the buildings and grounds.

MANSION AND GARDEN TOURS

Friends of Harkness volunteer docents lead guided tours of the Eolia Mansion and Formal Gardens on weekends and holidays between Memorial Day and Labor Day. 

• Tours run from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (last tour begins at 1:30 p.m.)
• Group Tours available by appointment. Email Friends of Harkness for information and availability. 
• Donations appreciated

MANSION RENTAL 

Eolia - The Mansion at Harkness Memorial State Park is available for weddings, private parties, seminars, conferences, luncheons, and teas from March 1 to December 23. Learn more about hosting a gathering at the Eolia Mansion, below.
 

Picnic on the vast lawns or the sandy beach amid the panoramic views of the Long Island Sound. On a clear day, you can see Fishers Island, Great Gull, Little Gull, Plum Island, and the North Fork of Long Island. 

Tables and grilling stands are provided. Please carry out everything you bring in!