Roslyn’s Greatest Gold Coast Marvel

Jordana AbrahamGrade 12

Roslyn High SchoolNassau County

Advisor: Dr. Weseley

In the BeginningIn the Beginning

Clarence was born on April 17, 1974 to an Clarence was born on April 17, 1974 to an Irish Catholic family. His father was John Irish Catholic family. His father was John Mackay, a self-made wealthy man as a result Mackay, a self-made wealthy man as a result of silver mining.of silver mining.

In 1904, Mackay completed the first In 1904, Mackay completed the first transpacific cable line from the United transpacific cable line from the United States to the Far East.States to the Far East.

The First Mrs. MackayThe First Mrs. Mackay

Katherine Duer Mackay met and fell in Katherine Duer Mackay met and fell in love with Clarence in 1897. They were love with Clarence in 1897. They were wed on May 17, 1898wed on May 17, 1898

As a wedding gift, Clarence’s parents As a wedding gift, Clarence’s parents gave the newlyweds the site of their gave the newlyweds the site of their future mansion, Harbor Hill atop the future mansion, Harbor Hill atop the highest point in Nassau County.highest point in Nassau County.

Katherine was the first member of the Katherine was the first member of the Roslyn school board in 1905 and Roslyn school board in 1905 and strongly advocated for women’s rights.strongly advocated for women’s rights.

In 1910 Katherine left Clarence for his In 1910 Katherine left Clarence for his doctor, Joseph Blake and obtained a doctor, Joseph Blake and obtained a divorce from him in Paris, 1904. divorce from him in Paris, 1904.

By 1930 she had developed cancer and By 1930 she had developed cancer and passed away, after which, Clarence passed away, after which, Clarence decided to remarry. decided to remarry.

The Mackay estate was built upon what is The Mackay estate was built upon what is now Roslyn High School and the Country now Roslyn High School and the Country Estates CommunityEstates Community

The Mackay’s chose Stanford White, the The Mackay’s chose Stanford White, the popular architect written about in The Great popular architect written about in The Great Gatsby to build their dream home. Gatsby to build their dream home.

The mansion took five years to build and The mansion took five years to build and was built on 648 acres. It cost $781,483 to was built on 648 acres. It cost $781,483 to build.build.

European furnishings were sought out to European furnishings were sought out to decorate the house. decorate the house.

Highlights of The Mackay Highlights of The Mackay MansionMansion

In 1924, a party was In 1924, a party was hosted by Clarence for The hosted by Clarence for The Prince of Wales who later Prince of Wales who later became King Edward VIIIbecame King Edward VIII

In 1927, a party was In 1927, a party was thrown for Charles thrown for Charles Lindbergh after the Lindbergh after the completion of his completion of his revolutionary flight from revolutionary flight from Roosevelt Field to ParisRoosevelt Field to Paris

The Second Mrs. MackayThe Second Mrs. Mackay

•Anna Case Mackay was an opera singer who met Clarence Anna Case Mackay was an opera singer who met Clarence while doing a performance at his home. while doing a performance at his home.

He became smitten with her and they were married at St. He became smitten with her and they were married at St. Mary’s Church in Roslyn after the death of his first wife in 1931.Mary’s Church in Roslyn after the death of his first wife in 1931.

Anna was always noted as taking care of Mackay during his Anna was always noted as taking care of Mackay during his physical and financial difficulties throughout their marriage. physical and financial difficulties throughout their marriage. They are shown above with their dogs in 1937.They are shown above with their dogs in 1937.

Troubled Times at Home Troubled Times at Home For ClarenceFor Clarence

Clarence was hit with troubled times both with his Clarence was hit with troubled times both with his wife walking out on him to marry his doctor and her wife walking out on him to marry his doctor and her death in 1930. death in 1930.

Clarence was further grief stricken when his daughter Clarence was further grief stricken when his daughter Ellin married Irving Berlin (left) , a Jewish composer Ellin married Irving Berlin (left) , a Jewish composer and song writer. Clarence then disowned his and song writer. Clarence then disowned his daughter because of her husband’s profession and daughter because of her husband’s profession and religion. religion.

Irving Berlin plays a major role in American Musical Irving Berlin plays a major role in American Musical history and has composed such famous songs as “I’m history and has composed such famous songs as “I’m dreaming of a White Christmas” and “God Bless dreaming of a White Christmas” and “God Bless AmericaAmerica” ”

The Decline of Mackay The Decline of Mackay and Harbor Hilland Harbor Hill

Following the 1929 stock market crash, Harbor Hill Mackay’s Following the 1929 stock market crash, Harbor Hill Mackay’s funds started to deplete and his mansion, to fall apart…funds started to deplete and his mansion, to fall apart…

In 1933 the mansion was closed but reopened in 1935 with a In 1933 the mansion was closed but reopened in 1935 with a reduced staff when the Mackays had a little more money.reduced staff when the Mackays had a little more money.

Mackay spent his last day at the mansion 4 days before his Mackay spent his last day at the mansion 4 days before his death on November 12, 1938 at the age of 64. He died in death on November 12, 1938 at the age of 64. He died in New York City and was buried at a family memorial in New York City and was buried at a family memorial in Brooklyn.Brooklyn.

Clarence left Harbor Hill to his son John Mackay II who did Clarence left Harbor Hill to his son John Mackay II who did not possess the funds necessary for the upkeep. not possess the funds necessary for the upkeep.

Harbor Hill TodayHarbor Hill Today

The House and landscaping gradually were ruined due to neglect The House and landscaping gradually were ruined due to neglect and vandalismand vandalism

In 1947, the mansion was demolished with dynamiteIn 1947, the mansion was demolished with dynamite

John sold the Real Estate to a developer who built the now modern John sold the Real Estate to a developer who built the now modern Country Estates Development in the late 50s and early 60sCountry Estates Development in the late 50s and early 60s

Today all that remains of the Mackay estate are the gates which Today all that remains of the Mackay estate are the gates which now are located off of Roslyn Road, now the entrance to The Pool now are located off of Roslyn Road, now the entrance to The Pool Club. Additionally, two of The Manly Horses which used to be in the Club. Additionally, two of The Manly Horses which used to be in the Mackey Formal Gardens now grace both the front circle of Roslyn Mackey Formal Gardens now grace both the front circle of Roslyn High School and the other by a house in Country Estates, left in the High School and the other by a house in Country Estates, left in the exact same spot in which it was originally placed in 1900-1910. exact same spot in which it was originally placed in 1900-1910.

ReferencesReferences Slide 1: Image courtesy of contentdm.library.unr.edu/cgi-bin/showfile. Slide 1: Image courtesy of contentdm.library.unr.edu/cgi-bin/showfile. Slide 2: Image courtesy of Slide 2: Image courtesy of

www.mackayhistory.com/1924_40Anniv_Pics.JPGwww.mackayhistory.com/1924_40Anniv_Pics.JPGSlides 3 : Image courtesy of Slides 3 : Image courtesy of www.mackayhistory.com/1905_katherine.jpgwww.mackayhistory.com/1905_katherine.jpg

Slide 4: Images courtesy of Slide 4: Images courtesy of www.vintagedesigns.com/.../mrsmackaybed.jpgwww.vintagedesigns.com/.../mrsmackaybed.jpgand www.newsday.com/.../photo/200310/9632340.jpg and www.newsday.com/.../photo/200310/9632340.jpg

Slide 5: Image courtesy of Slide 5: Image courtesy of http://www.mackayhistory.com/HarborHill.htmlhttp://www.mackayhistory.com/HarborHill.html

Slide 6: Image courtesy of Slide 6: Image courtesy of http://www.mackayhistory.com/2_mrs_mackays.htmlhttp://www.mackayhistory.com/2_mrs_mackays.html

Slide 7 Image courtesy of www.rnh.com/irving_berlin/images/berlin.gifSlide 7 Image courtesy of www.rnh.com/irving_berlin/images/berlin.gif Slide 8 Image courtesy of Slide 8 Image courtesy of

www.vintagedesigns.com/.../whitedrawingrm.jpgwww.vintagedesigns.com/.../whitedrawingrm.jpg Slide 9 Image courtesy of Slide 9 Image courtesy of

www.mackayhistory.com/horse_bigfile_jan05.jpg www.mackayhistory.com/horse_bigfile_jan05.jpg

BIBLIOGRAPHYBIBLIOGRAPHY Moger, Roy. Moger, Roy. Roslyn: Then and NowRoslyn: Then and Now. 1. New York: . 1. New York:

Bryant Library, 1992.Bryant Library, 1992. (2006, May 28). Clarence H Mackay. Retrieved (2006, May 28). Clarence H Mackay. Retrieved

December 15 2006, from Mackay History Web December 15 2006, from Mackay History Web site: site: http://www.mackayhistory.com/index.htmlhttp://www.mackayhistory.com/index.html

(2006, August 17). Clarence Mackay. Retrieved (2006, August 17). Clarence Mackay. Retrieved December 15, 2006, from Wikipedia Web site: December 15, 2006, from Wikipedia Web site: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clarence_Mackayhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clarence_Mackay

Sloam, Myrna (2001). Timeline of Roslyn History. Sloam, Myrna (2001). Timeline of Roslyn History. Retrieved December 15, 2006, from The Bryant Retrieved December 15, 2006, from The Bryant Room Local History Web site: Room Local History Web site: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clarence_Mackayhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clarence_Mackay