4. World War II veterans were granted repose at Lyndhurst

Relaxing view from porch at Lyndhurst Mansion.

Helen Gould passed the mansion off to her younger sister, Anna, Duchess of Talleyrand-Perigord, following her death in 1938. Spending most of her time at the Plaza Hotel, the mansion sat amongst the linden trees, used only as a country home. Due to the mansion often being empty, Anna allowed World War II soldiers to relax at the mansion after the war.

Named a Knight of the Legion of Honor after providing a home for blind French soldiers, Anna Gould often helped soldiers in whatever way she could manage. This is why she felt so compelled to allow soldiers to rest at Lyndhurst. Following her death, a “New York Times” report noted the mansion was valued at $5,473,011.