17 Indian Trail, Oyster Harbors, Osterville, MA
It’s easy to understand why Paul and Bunny Mellon chose this site for their storied summer home. Situated on a bluff, overlooking Nantucket Sound, the southwesterly trade winds, gentle but constant, drive the tempo of the sea just beyond a protected barrier island. No doubt the Mellons selected this site for its sweeping views, privacy and seclusion. The property was a cherished retreat for the Mellon family and their close friends, among them President John F. Kennedy and his wife Jacqueline.
Paul Mellon (1907–1999), heir to the Mellon banking fortune, was a renowned art collector and philanthropist whose contributions helped shape the cultural landscape of the 20th century. After establishing the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., Mellon went on to become one of the greatest art collectors of his time. Beyond the arts, he was a celebrated Thoroughbred owner and breeder. One can easily imagine that this idyllic setting inspired the Mellons to name their 1993 Kentucky Derby winning racehorse – Sea Hero.
While Paul collected great works of art, Bunny was known for her design of the Rose Garden at The White House. Bunny’s gifts as a gardener are evident throughout the property. She brought the beauty of the natural world into her home in ingenious and charming ways. The windows are designed with individual panes that slide open to let in just the right amount of fresh sea air. Guests can still reach out the windows to pick an apple or pear off trees espaliered for that purpose. No detail on this estate has been left to chance.
America’s Cup winner William I. “Bill” Koch has owned this historical estate for the past decade. When Bill first moved to Osterville, he and the late Paul Mellon would discuss their deep love of fine art. Paul had designed this vacation home so that he could incorporate his world class art collection into his daily life. Much of the art once displayed here can now be seen in The National Gallery of Art.
The Main House & Cottages
Built in 1954, the 7300 square foot main residence has a contemporary feel. The eight bedrooms are situated around a courtyard; each has a view of the gardens or the sea. In addition, there are two cottages each with two bedrooms and a former art studio which is now a private suite with a sea view. This undeniably grand estate is suffused with a feeling of relaxed charm. There is also a beach house, which remains practically unchanged from the days that the Mellons entertained the Kennedys and other world leaders. One of the house’s delights is a small room stocked with Bunny’s baskets, ready to be taken to the cutting garden and filled with flowers.
The Gardens
Bunny’s impeccable taste was matched by a sense of humor. Wandering through the estate, visitors will encounter whimsical French guardhouse follies and cleverly styled Swiss woodsheds and other surprises. The buildings are painted to appear charmingly weathered, suggesting both age and timelessness.
Topiary was another passion of Bunny’s. Her handiwork remains evident in planters and sculpted trees. The landscape is richly layered with native species, including sassafras, tupelo, and coastal adapted apple and pear trees. Grasses and ferns, all locally sourced, contribute to a garden that is deeply rooted in its environment. This naturalistic site-specific approach to gardening was quintessentially Bunny Mellon – an ethos she carried through all her celebrated landscapes.
The Mellon Estate | 17 Indian Trail, Oyster Harbors, Osterville, MA
With over five hundred feet of waterfront, a private dock, and access to a private island, now serving as a protected bird sanctuary, this is a Cape Cod haven like no other. This exquisite property is on the market offered at $23,850,000, presented by Joanna Dresser and Kelly Crosby of LandVest | Christie’s International Real Estate. View Listing >
Photos courtesy of Halsey Fulton and William I. Koch.
