Nestled in the picturesque Finger Lakes region of New York, Sonnenberg Gardens is a New York State Historic Park offering one of the few remaining estates in the U.S. with a Queen Anne-style mansion and formal gardens.
Built in 1887, Sonnenberg's 40-room Mansion offers visitors a glimpse of what life was like in the late nineteenth century. Along with 17 other structures across the 50-acre property, the estate boasts nine formal gardens representing many cultures and historic periods including 12th-century Asia, 4th-century Rome and the French Renaissance. A 20-acre arboretum of rare and exotic trees, plants and unique landscapes stretches across the grounds, while a Lord & Burnham wood-and-glass greenhouse complex of the Victorian period features varieties of orchids, succulents, tropical plants and flowers, as well as vegetables.
Sonnenberg Gardens and Mansion State Historic Park is currently owned by the New State Office of Parks and Historic Preservation but is operated by the nonprofit organization, Sonnenberg Gardens and Mansion. Funding comes solely through admissions; seasonal retail sales; memberships, private donations and grants; and public and private special events. The Sonnenberg staff and corps of volunteers are hard at work to solidify Sonnenberg’s place as one of the premiere display gardens and estates in the United States, and a gem in the NYS Parks system.
Mission Statement
Sonnenberg Gardens and Mansion preserves, interprets and promotes the life, times and legacy of Canandaigua’s Thompson family.
Vision Statement
Sonnenberg Gardens and Mansion will be a recognized destination in the Finger Lakes Region providing year-round quality visitor experiences and programs central to the cultural and economic strength of Canandaigua.
