Issue No. 1
Welcome to The Octagon Journal.
We are so glad you are here.
This is the official Substack of the Armour–Stiner Octagon House, but more than that, it is a place to draw a little closer to the house itself — beyond the guided tours, beyond the velvet ropes, and into the stories, details, and quiet wonders that make this place so extraordinary.
Our hope is simple: to share the house as we know and love it. In the months ahead, we will write about its architecture, restoration, collections, and the people who have shaped its history. We will also wander more broadly into the world that gave rise to it, exploring the textures of Victorian life, design, culture, and imagination.
The Armour–Stiner Octagon House offers a uniquely Victorian experience in the Hudson Valley. From March through December, visitors can step into the 19th century through our guided tours and immersive experiences, with each season revealing a different facet of the house’s character.
In the springtime, the experience extends beyond the home’s many walls to reveal a restored 19th-century greenhouse and a stunning octagonal Foxglove Garden in full bloom. In fall and winter, the house takes on a different life through our Halloween and holiday offerings, with performances and seasonal interpretations that bring its history vividly to life.
With this journal, we hope to share not only what visitors see when they come here, but also what they might not: the ongoing preservation, the new research discoveries, the objects with stories to tell, and the enduring beauty of this house.
We are delighted to begin!