When my intrepid editor, Amy Zavatto, told me she was going to write about how the folks at Shelter Island’s historic Sylvester Manor were working to preserve and refurbish the stately home, the last thing I thought about was the wallpaper.
But honestly, it should have been the first thing, as the wallpaper at The Manor — the rare and exotic extremely high quality, hand blocked Zuber “Eldorado” wallpaper initially installed in the 1880’s during the Victorian Era — stops you dead in your tracks.
(Photos by Donnamarie Barnes)
Adorning the Ladies Parlor inside the historic home, Eldorado tells more than one tale to all that look upon it. Not only does it depict the Victorian ideal of travel, bringing its viewers immediately to far-flung places not easily accessed at the time, it also showcases the home itself, and all the different layers of history it holds.
Read Amy’s story, Paper Trail: Century-old wallpaper gives a peak to the past at Sylvester Manor, and see for yourself.
