Clarkstown Country Club

Cover Image:
Clarkstown Country Club
Three elephants in the Elephant Pool at the Clarkstown Country Club - Image Source

Collection Facts

Extent:
23

Historical Context

Begun around 1919 by Pierre Bernard (1876-1955) and Blanche DeVries, the Clarkstown Country Club was a center where guests learned Eastern Philosophies, yoga, music and dancing. Guests also participated in sports and watched elephants perform tricks. Bernard had many exotic animals, in addition to elephants. This included a chimpanzee, tigers, and lions. There were many rumors and misinformation about the Club being published in the 1930s and 1940s, and it appears Bernard did not try to stop the rumors. The club at its largest grew to cover 160 acres, with thirty-four buildings.

Scope of Collection

This collection contains photographs of the Clarkstown Country Club. It includes exterior and interior shots of buildings on the club grounds, as well as images of its construction. The collection also contains several photographs of the elephants who lived at the club.